Why Attend James Madison University?

1. 10 years in a row, JMU has held the top spot among public master's-level universities in the South in the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings.  JMU has scored highly on many such national and regional rankings. It is a well respected institution.
   
2. Not too big and not too small, JMU is a medium sized university located in a small-town environment. As a student here, you won't get lost in the masses!
   
   
3. With its dedication to excellence and to service, JMU is a popular school! It receives more undergraduate admissions applications than any other school in Virginia.
   
   
4. JMU students are active in  community and  world affairs. With 41 alumni serving in the Peace Corps in 2003 alone, James Madison University was ranked No. 8 among U.S. medium-size colleges and universities for producing volunteers for the 43-year-old service organization.

1. Student Success! JMU Theatre students are working on Broadway, Regional Theatre, Broadway, and all points in between. They work as performers, writers, producers, designers, and technicians. Shows on Broadway that have featured  JMU actors include: Rent, The Full Monte, and Urinetown. Many theatre companies across the country including The Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival have been founded by JMU Graduates. We have made our mark on Hollywood as well, with films and TV shows like: Hoop Dreams, Legally Blonde and 10 Things I Hate About You, Caroline in the City,  and The Honeymooners, Coupling, Cheers, & The Newhart Show featuring the writing of JMU graduates!
   
   
2. JMU Dance students have also had exceptional success after graduation. Many have gone on to distinguished careers dancing and choreographing in cities like New York and Los Angeles. At least two of our dance Alumni now head University programs of their own, and many have gone on to found their own companies.
   
   
3. One reason for our success is that we are student centered in approach. Student produced, directed, designed, and choreographed productions at JMU always outnumber faculty directed productions, and many of our productions each year also feature original student scripts. 
   
   
4. Currently our programs in Dance, Theatre, and Musical Theatre are geared 100% toward the undergraduate student!  Students at JMU get the opportunity to raise to positions in production often reserved for graduate students at other institutions. As an undergraduate student, you will receive ALL of our attention.
   
   
5. JMU Theatre and Dance Faculty are active leaders in their professions. Their work as scholars, directors, choreographers, performers, and designers have taken them throughout the world to countries as diverse as England, Turkey, The Czech Republic, and China to name a few. Of course, with their vibrant work comes a level of experience and contacts making our faculty ideal mentors for students eager to make their own mark on the world.