James Madison University, School of Theatre and Dance Is an Accredited
Member of the National Association of
Schools of Theatre and the National
Association of Schools of Dance
 
Overview
"Show me and I will look, tell me and I will listen, but involve me and I will learn." This philosophy dominates our approach to musical theatre training at James Madison University. We encourage students to discover resources within themselves. Within the liberal arts context, our Bachelor of Arts degree in Musical Theatre balances the practical with the theoretical. Our students confront the realities of performance: they act and learn how to act; they direct and learn directing; they sing and learn how to sing and they dance and learn to master grace and motion. Most importantly, they work daily with a strong, committed faculty who encourages the combination of solid academic discipline with practical professional experience. The James Madison University Musical Theatre program is part of the School of Theatre and Dance.

 James Madison University
 School of Theatre and Dance
 147 Warsaw Avenue, MSC 5601
 Harrisonburg, VA 22801
  540.568.6342
 theatredance@jmu.edu.

Page Last Updated: 1/6/2011

About Musical Theatre & JMU
The Bachelor of Arts Program
Located in the School of Theatre and Dance in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) curriculum includes coursework in acting, dance, voice, theatre and musical theatre history, technical theatre, music theory, and piano. Students develop their skills in a structured program that includes one-on-one mentorship and guidance.

Performance Opportunities
As a Musical Theatre concentrator at JMU, you will experience one of the most active production programs of any undergraduate theatre program in the country. We believe learning is only complete when applied to production. Our students have the opportunity to audition for and perform in many productions each year. including a main stage musical with orchestra and student-produced Experimental Theatre musicals. Additional performance opportunities include faculty directed revues, recitals, and workshop scenes. Past productions include Anything Goes, Pippin, Cabaret, Chicago, Carnival, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, 110 in the Shade, Kiss Me Kate, Celebration, Carousel, The Robber Bridegroom, The Fantasticks, Blood Brothers, The Mikado, Man of La Mancha, and Once on This Island.


Guest Artists
The JMU Musical Theatre program invites established artists and professionals to campus to perform, lecture and teach. When possible, master teachers of voice, acting and dance as well as casting directors and agents are brought to campus to share their expertise with students.

Student Success
We look with pride to graduates who are working on Broadway, off-Broadway, in national tours, in regional and stock theatres and at theme parks all over the country. Many students go on to study further at some of the finest graduate schools in the country.

Admission

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
ADMISSION TO THE MUSICAL THEATRE PROGRAM
OF JMU"s SCHOOL OF THEATRE AND DANCE
 
Program Objectives for the Musical Theatre Concentration

Program Objectives for the Musical Theater Concentration

In addition to the objectives of the theater concentration, the musical theater concentration has these program objectives.

 

Students in the Musical Theatre Concentration are expected to meet all of the program objectives of the Theatre Concentration.  In addition students in the Musical Theatre Concentration shall:

  1. recognize and understand the unique and complex requirements of integrating music, theatre, and dance into a unified production.
  2. demonstrate expertise in specific performance techniques that are unique to musical theatre production to include: vocal skills, dance skills, song interpretation skills, and other specific skills appropriate to individual needs and abilities.
  3. acquire knowledge of the allied genres of opera, light opera, and contemporary theatrical music.
  4. obtain knowledge of the history, literature, and analysis of musical theatre, opera and other appropriate music areas as they relate to theatrical performance.
  5. achieve proficiency in the fundamental principles of music theory and musicianship as they pertain to music theater performance.
  6. participate regularly in music theatre performances of various scales and styles.

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