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James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA

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Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective40+ StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective40+ StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Browse programs

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BA Theatre

General

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective40+ StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Musical Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or VirtualMTCP Participant

Program profile

Highly Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Theatre

General

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective40+ StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Theatre

Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective40+ StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Theatre

Education

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In FriendlyPK-12

Quick Links

BA Theatre

Design & Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective40+ StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Dance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Selective12-24 StudentsTransfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BM Music

Music Theatre

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BM Music

Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BM Music

Jazz Studies

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BM Music

Music Education - Instrumental

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In FriendlyTeacher LicensurePreK-12

Quick Links

BM Music

Music Education - Vocal

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In FriendlyTeacher LicensurePreK-12

Quick Links

BM Music

Composition

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BM Music

Music Industry

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Music

Music Studies

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

Virtual Only

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Quick Links

BA Music

Music Industry

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

Virtual Only

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

•BA degree with intensive pre-professional training

•Approximately 152 Theatre majors total

•Three optional concentrations: Performance, Design/Technology, Theatre Education (with Pre K-12 licensure)

•Combines liberal arts education with professional arts training

Performance & Productions

•Each year: 3 plays + 2 musicals on mainstage, 5-8 student-produced shows

•Any JMU student can audition for productions including first-years

Value

•Merit scholarships based on audition/interview strength

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2029: 41 students (all concentrations)

School Info

Snapshot

3.66

Avg GPA

72%

Admit Rate

school-wide

80%

Grad Rate

20.9K

Enrollment

$70K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$14,768

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$32,576

Before aid

Average Net Price

$23,322

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated 2h ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•BA degree with intensive pre-professional training

•Approximately 152 Theatre majors total

•Three optional concentrations: Performance, Design/Technology, Theatre Education (with Pre K-12 licensure)

•Combines liberal arts education with professional arts training

Performance & Productions

•Each year: 3 plays + 2 musicals on mainstage, 5-8 student-produced shows

•Any JMU student can audition for productions including first-years

Value

•Merit scholarships based on audition/interview strength

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2029: 41 students (all concentrations)

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•BA degree with intensive pre-professional training

•Approximately 152 Theatre majors total

•Three optional concentrations: Performance, Design/Technology, Theatre Education (with Pre K-12 licensure)

•Combines liberal arts education with professional arts training

Performance & Productions

•Each year: 3 plays + 2 musicals on mainstage, 5-8 student-produced shows

•Any JMU student can audition for productions including first-years

Value

•Merit scholarships based on audition/interview strength

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2029: 41 students (all concentrations)

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App School Website

Fee

$70

Deadline

Early ActionNov 1, 2026

Regular DecisionJan 15, 2027

Transfer Application — FallMar 1, 2027

International Application — FallJun 1, 2027

Official Source

Program AppApplication

Apply

SlideRoom

Auditions

JMU Theatre audition/interview day (recommended for Early Action)

Nov 7, 2026Dec 5, 2026

New York Unified AuditionsJan 23–24, 2027

JMU Theatre audition/interview day

Jan 30, 2027Feb 6, 2027

Official Source

Audition Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Headshot

•Photo of yourself

Resume

•Resume with relevant theatre or artistic experience

Unofficial Transcript

•High school or transfer transcript

Form Questions

•Complete the Theatre application questions in SlideRoom when the Fall 2027 portal opens

Official Source

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Apply to JMU through the Office of Admissions/Common App

•Fall 2027 SlideRoom applications and audition-registration links are scheduled to open in mid-August 2026

•Submit a separate School of Theatre and Dance application in SlideRoom; applicants to multiple performing-arts majors submit separate applications

•Submit SlideRoom at least 9 days before an in-person audition/interview; video-only submissions are due by the final February audition date

•JMU covers the SlideRoom fee

Program Requirements

•Current Theatre areas are Performance, Design & Technology, and Theatre Education

•Concentrations are optional; students may enter as general Theatre majors, apply for a concentration during admission or later, and may be admitted to multiple concentrations

Transfer Pathway

JMU states that transfer students use the same Theatre gateway process and, depending on prior coursework, can complete the Theatre major in two to three years.

Official Source

What's The Process

Audition Process

•No prescreen required

•In-person or asynchronous video options

•Each audition/interview includes a short one-on-one interview component

•Faculty look for potential, not perfection

•Theatre and Musical Theatre auditions are separate; applying to both requires separate SlideRoom applications, registrations, and auditions

•General Theatre applicants may choose an application format aligned with Performance (monologues), Design & Technology (visual portfolio), or Theatre Education (statement and interview)

•Applicants with multiple interests may select two formats

Contact

•Ingrid De Sanctis: desancie@jmu.edu

•Emily Becher-McKeever: becheree@jmu.edu

•540-568-6342

Scholarship Info

Arts Scholarships

•Excellence in the Arts awards

•Madison Recognition awards

•Merit scholarships from School of Theatre and Dance

Criteria

•Talent and ability based on audition/interview, portfolio review, submitted materials

•Academic promise based on transcript, GPA (minimum 3.0), and test scores

•Application essay and letter of recommendation also factor in

Priority Consideration

•Apply JMU Early Action and submit SlideRoom before mid-January

•Scholarship decisions communicated in Spring

School Info

Snapshot

3.66

Avg GPA

72%

Admit Rate

school-wide

80%

Grad Rate

20.9K

Enrollment

$70K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$14,768

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$32,576

Before aid

Average Net Price

$23,322

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•BA degree with intensive pre-professional training

•Approximately 152 Theatre majors total

•Three optional concentrations: Performance, Design/Technology, Theatre Education (with Pre K-12 licensure)

•Combines liberal arts education with professional arts training

Performance & Productions

•Each year: 3 plays + 2 musicals on mainstage, 5-8 student-produced shows

•Any JMU student can audition for productions including first-years

Value

•Merit scholarships based on audition/interview strength

Verified Recent Class Sizes

•Class of 2029: 41 students (all concentrations)

Updated 2h ago