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About The JMU Theatre Program
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Overview
The James Madison University Theatre program has a liberal arts orientation directed specifically toward undergraduate students. We have three basic emphases: instruction in the
theory and history of drama; instruction in the practice of theatre arts; and a full production program.
The JMU Theatre program provides numerous benefits for its students including an ability to understand and express conceptual knowledge, an appreciation of the great
wor ks of theatre and an appreciation of the theatre as it permeates society in television, films, on the stage and in other daily activities. Training to work within a group toward a defined goal with a deadline is an integral part of the academic experience as well as training for a professional career and/or training for graduate-level theatre work.
Finally, we are proud of our commitment to provide artistic stimulation and cultural enrichment for JMU students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community.
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The Bachelor of Arts Program
The JMU School of Theatre and Dance offers theatre majors a Bachelor of Arts Degree. The course work includes performance techniques, business management, directing, scenic and costume design, technology, theatre and dance history and literary theory.
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Performance, Design, and
Technical Opportunities
JMU theatre sponsors four major productions each year in its main-stage season including the annual musical.
As many as twenty additional productions are mounted each year in the Experimental Theatre. The program also sponsors The
Children's Playshop each summer.
In this exclusively undergraduate program, students act the parts, construct the sets and costumes and fulfill the responsibilities for running the productions. Students also design sets, lights and costumes for many major productions and nearly all the Experimental Theatre productions. Often these productions are original student-written scripts.
JMU regularly participates in the American College Theatre Festival.
Several JMU productions have been selected for regional competition and performers have done well in the individual acting phase of the
competitions. Two recent productions played at the National Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
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Guest Artists
JMU regularly brings guest actors, directors and designers to campus. These professionals work with theatre students to help them examine fresh approaches to the field.
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Student Success
We look with pride to alumni who are working on Broadway, in shows such as Rent, The Full Monte,
and Urinetown. Many theatre companies across the country
including The Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival have been founded by
JMU Graduates. Graduates of JMU have made a mark on Hollywood as well,
as writers, performers, or technicians on films and TV shows including: Hoop Dreams, Legally
Blonde, 10 Things I Hate About You, Caroline in
the City, The Honeymooners, Coupling, Cheers,
& The Newhart Show
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Faculty
The JMU theatre faculty is made up of nine full-time members, all of whom play an active role in
teaching and advising students in the realization of productions. All are active theatre practitioners who hold terminal degrees from fine institutions such as The Ohio State University, Carnegie Mellon University, Indiana University, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, the
University of Virginia, and Yale University. Their work is complemented by four full-time dance faculty members in the school. Four additional full-time staff
members also assist in teaching and supervision.
From Noises Off, Fall, 2005 -
Directed by Broadway veteran, William Martin
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Facilities
The Latimer-Shaeffer Theatre in Duke Hall has a proscenium configuration that seats 324 people. A scene shop and dressing rooms adjoin the stage. The Experimental Theatre has variable seating for up to 150 and is located in the Theatre II building. The costume shop offers three cutting rooms with natural light and is based in Lincoln House.
As you read this page, ground is being cleared for
our new mega performing arts center to include all new, state of the art
performance and rehearsal facilities in
theatre, dance, and music.
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Stratford Players
Stratford Players is the student drama organization open to theatre and dance majors and non-majors. Members have a significant voice in play selection and budget decisions.
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Semester Abroad
Many theatre students take advantage of the JMU Semester-in-London Program where they are exposed to the rich theatrical traditions of London. Semester Abroad programs are also offered in Florence, Martinique, Paris and Salamanca. |
Admission
Admission to theatre program at JMU is competitive and an audition is recommended. All prospective students must apply directly to the undergraduate admission office. The theatre program makes recommendations in the case of especially talented students.
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Program Objectives
for the Theatre Concentration
- The student shall become proficient in the
collaborative process of theatre production, and develop the skills
necessary to work within a group toward a defined goal under a
deadline. This shall include the ability to collaborate with other
arts disciplines, including dance and music.
- The student shall learn and be able to use correct
theatre terminology in all areas of theatrical production.
- The student shall have a thorough knowledge of
various theatrical genre and staging formats, with strong
proficiencies in one or more area.
- The student shall have a thorough knowledge of a
variety of different styles of theatrical production, including
non-traditional and non-western approaches.
- The student shall have a thorough knowledge of
important works of dramatic literature from the past and present
including works of criticism and theory as well as the reading list
of plays.
- The student shall have a thorough knowledge of
important periods and movements in world theatre history, including
the works of leading playwrights, actors, directors and designers.
- The student shall have a thorough knowledge of the
interrelationship between the live theatre and the allied arts and
entertainment fields of motions pictures and television.
- The student shall become capable of making and
communicating in writing informed critical assessments of theatrical
performances, including all aspects of artistic and technical
production.
- The student shall have a thorough knowledge of
basic production processes to include acting, directing, design,
technical production and management.
- The student shall participate regularly in public
performances of various scales and styles. The student should
experience a variety of different theatrical roles among the
disciplines of acting, directing, design and theatrical production.
- The student shall have a thorough knowledge of the
basic working practices of the professional theatre, including
unions, professional expectations and employment opportunities.
Oedipus Variations - Spring, 2006
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