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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MUSICAL
THEATRE AT JMU
What Musical
Theatre Programs are offered at James Madison University?
JMU offers
programs in Musical Theatre through both The School of Theatre and
Dance (BA), and the School of Music (BM). Use the resources on this
website to learn more about the program offered through the School
of Theatre and Dance. For more information on the BM program,
contact JMU's School of Music -
http://www.jmu.edu/music.
Do both programs
offer private voice lessons?
Yes, the BA
degree requires one year of small group voice lessons, and two years
of private voice lessons. Students are encouraged to continue
private voice study in their senior year.
Will an audition
for the BA program be considered for admission in the BM program or vice
versa?
No, the programs
hold separate auditions. People typically choose the program that is
most suited to their needs, although some students choose to
audition for both programs and then determine, if accepted, which
one is best suited to their abilities and goals.
How many students
does the BA Musical Theatre Concentration accept each year?
In order for
each student to receive maximum personal attention we aim for a
freshman Musical Theatre class of 8 – 12 students. We generally
accept 14 – 18 to yield that number.
Do you offer
scholarships for incoming students?
The Department
of Theatre and Dance offers scholarships for established students in
the Theatre, Dance, and Musical Theatre Concentrations. James
Madison University offers some scholarships for incoming students.
Go to
http://www.jmu.edu/finaid/scholarships for information.
When will I know
if I have been accepted into the Musical Theatre Concentration?
In order to be
accepted into the Musical Theatre Concentration you must also be
accepted academically to JMU. We notify all prospective Musical
Theatre students who are accepted academically into JMU about their
acceptance to the Musical Theatre Concentration immediately after
JMU sends out academic acceptances (usually by April 1st).
If
I am not accepted into the BA Musical Theatre Concentration at JMU, but
am accepted to JMU academically and decide to attend may I still
audition for musical theatre productions?
Yes, all JMU
students (regardless of major or concentration) may audition for all
theatrical productions at JMU.
Do you accept
transfer students into the BA Musical Theatre Concentration?
Yes, on a space
available basis. Current JMU students in other concentrations and
majors and interested applicants from other schools are given the
opportunity to audition for the Musical Theatre Concentration each
spring.
I’ve had a lot of
dance training will I need to take beginning level classes?
All BA Musical
Theatre Concentrators are required to take a three-semester jazz
dance sequence and an additional dance skills class (although you
are strongly encouraged to take more!). You may be able to test out
of a level, but only at the discretion of the dance instructor and
the coordinator of the Musical Theatre Concentration.
Do I have to take
classes in music theory and piano?
Students in the
BA program are required to take two semesters of Keyboarding
(MUS 100 and MUS 101), and one semester of Music Theory and Ear
Training (MUS 143 and MUS 141). These courses are the same courses
that BM music majors take. Students in the BM program are required
to complete additional Music Theory, Ear Training, and Keyboarding
classes. Go to the School of Music website -
http://www.jmu.edu/music - for more information. Students who
enter JMU with significant prior piano/ music theory training may be
allowed to test into higher level courses. This will be discussed
with coordinator of the Musical Theatre Concentration at the end of
your freshman year.
Can I take more
acting, music, or dance classes than those required?
Of course!
Students in the BA Musical Theatre Concentration are
encouraged to enroll in as many skill development courses as
possible during their time at JMU. Suggested courses include: a
dance class each semester, advanced acting, voice for the stage
(speech), directing, musical theatre audition class, diction for
singers, university choirs, among others.
Is it possible to
double major?
Yes, but it is
difficult. The Musical Theatre Concentration is a credit intensive
concentration. Some students who come to JMU with AP, IB, and Dual
Enrollment credit do choose to purse a double major (School of Media
Arts and Design, English, and Communications are the most popular)
and are able to complete both majors within four years. Others
choose to minor in another area (Dance, English, History, and
Non-Profit Studies are the most popular). Many students who want to
double major choose to pursue the Theatre Concentration which is a
less credit intensive concentration.
Is it possible to
study abroad?
Yes, students in
the Musical Theatre Concentration often choose to study abroad
either in the summer or during the regular academic year.
Do
you provide summer work for your students?
JMU students may
audition for the
Children’s Playshop summer season. We also highly encourage
our students to audition for work at other summer theatres. JMU
students attend and are successful at SETC, NETC, StrawHat, UPTA
auditions, and most graduate from JMU with professional credits on
their resumes, gaining valuable real world experience while they are
still in school. Among the summer theatre venues where JMU students
have recently worked are: Busch Gardens,
VA; Flat Rock Playhouse, NC; Galveston Island
Musicals/ Granbury Opera House, TX; Horn in the West,
NC; Inter-Lakes Region Summer Theatre, NH; The Lost
Colony, NC; Mac-Haydn Theatre, NY; Papermill
Theatre, NH; Shawnee Playhouse, PA; Theatre
Barn, MN; Theatre West Virginia, WV; Toby’s
Dinner Theatre, MD.
Are your
graduates successful?
Although there are (of course)
no guarantees, JMU graduates have appeared on Broadway, national and
international tours, regional theatres from coast to coast and around
the world. JMU grads are currently appearing, or have recently appeared
on Broadway and national tours of:
Beauty and the
Beast, Drowsy Chaperone, Riverdance, Grease, Jersey Boys, Joseph and
the… Dreamcoat, Les Miserables, Lion King, The Full Monty, The
Producers, Urinetown, among
others, and are successful off-Broadway, in regional theatre, and in TV
and film. (Click
here to read more about our alumni)
What’s the
difference between JMU’s program and conservatory or BFA programs?
At JMU we feel
strongly that the undergraduate years be balanced between skill,
development in the major, and obtaining a broad base of knowledge about
the world
in which we live. We think that this broad base of knowledge makes for
strong actors, artists, and citizens. Our BA program requires 58 credits
in the major, 58 credit in general education, foreign language, and
philosophy, and 4 credits of free electives (which can be taken within
or outside of the major concentration). Generally speaking, many BFA
programs do not require as much general education as we do in the BA at
JMU. However, some do, and it is important research the specifics of
what each program requires and has to offer in order to find the right
program for you. Students in our BA Musical Theatre concentration are
highly motivated. Most take well beyond the required credits in the
major, and balance their academic course work with their skills based
classes, and production work. Most go on to pursue successful careers in
the performing arts industry.
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