James Madison University

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Harrisonburg, VA•PublicCity20.9K

Test-OptionalGreek Life

Program

Concentration

Program Page

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredIn-Person or VirtualHighly Selective12-24 StudentsUniversity App RequiredMTCP Participant

Program Page

Program Characteristics

No Prescreen

Audition Required

Interview Required

Highly Selective

12-24 Students

University App Required

MTCP Participant

Program Highlights

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

•BA degree with intensive pre-professional training (accrediting agencies call it "intensive BA")

•Approximately 48 MT majors total

•Combines liberal arts education with professional arts training

PRODUCTIONS & TRAINING

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

•Private voice lessons and one-on-one mentorship

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

SCHOLARSHIPS

•Merit scholarships based on audition strength

•3.0 GPA minimum for scholarship consideration

NOTABLE ALUMNI

•Trey Ellet '92 — Lead role of Mark in Broadway's RENT for three years

•James Moye '00 — Broadway: URINETOWN, THE FULL MONTY; national tour of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

•Michael Minarik '00 — Broadway: ROCK OF AGES (since opening); also LES MISERABLES

•Brent Comer — Broadway: THE OUTSIDERS

•Austin Colby — Broadway: THE GREAT GATSBY

•Rachel Schur — Broadway: CHICAGO

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply atCommon App

Deadlines

Early ActionNov 1, 2025

Regular DecisionJan 15, 2026

Fee

$70Waiver

Program AppApplication

Apply atSlideRoom

Deadlines

EA Video Submission Priority Scholarship DeadlineNov 15, 2025

RD Video Submission Priority Scholarship DeadlineFeb 7, 2026

Final SlideRoom DeadlineMar 16, 2026

Submit SlideRoom at least 9 days before audition

Auditions

In-Person (recommended for Early Action)Nov 8, 2025

NYC UnifiedsJan 24–25, 2026

In-Person (recommended for Regular Decision)Jan 31, 2026

In-Person (recommended for Regular Decision)Feb 7, 2026

Audition Requirements

Songs

TWO CONTRASTING SONGS, 60-90 sec each

•One ballad (sustained vocal lines) and one uptempo (conversational pace)

•Choose one of two options:

OPTION A

•One song written before 1970 (any genre: MT, pop, hip-hop, folk, rock, rap, soul, country, punk)

•One song written after 1970 (any genre) — should contrast the first selection

OPTION B

•One musical theatre song from any time period

•One song in any style that best suits you — should contrast the first selection

ACCOMPANIMENT

•Must sing to musical accompaniment — no a cappella

•In-person: accompanist provided, bring sheet music in your key

•Off-campus: bring recorded accompaniment and a speaker

•Video: may use live or recorded accompaniment

Monologues

ONE 60-90 SEC MONOLOGUE from a published play (or by a professional writer whose plays have been produced)

•Age-appropriate character

•Memorized

Dance

IN-PERSON:

•Jazz combination taught at audition

VIDEO/VIRTUAL:

•Submit 60-90 sec dance video in any style you feel most confident

•Options: jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, or styles beyond American/Euro-western

•Include at least one turn, one jump, one kick (or suitable alternatives)

•Can use JMU-provided combo or self-choreographed solo

Wildcard / Special Skill (Optional)

WILD CARD (optional), 60 seconds or less

•Special skill, interesting story, passion speech, instrument, etc.

•"What do you want us to know about you?" and "What makes you unique?"

Additional Materials

HEADSHOT

•Photo of yourself

RESUME

•Including any relevant artistic experience

UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT

•High school or, for transfer students, both college and high school

PERSONAL STATEMENT

•Describe a creative experience that was meaningful, engaging, or transformative

•1000 words max

SLATE VIDEO (separate)

•State your name and pronouns (if desired)

•Speak loudly and clearly, directly at the camera

•No need to slate individual performance videos

Official Source

Good to Know

APPLICATION PROCESS

•Apply to JMU via Common App — this links you to SlideRoom

•Submit SlideRoom application at least 9 DAYS before your audition date

•SlideRoom application is FREE

VIDEO SUBMISSIONS

•All auditionees (in-person, virtual, or video) must upload videos of two songs, one monologue, and dance to SlideRoom

•Videos are NOT a prescreen — they supplement your live/virtual audition

•For video-only applicants, these serve AS the audition

•Follows Musical Theatre Common Prescreen (MTCP) format

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

•NYC Unifieds: January 24-25, 2026

DUAL AUDITIONS

•Can audition for both Musical Theatre and Theatre (separate registrations and SlideRoom applications required)

•Encouraged to schedule both on the same day

•Early registration recommended for same-day availability

What's The Process

AUDITION FORMAT

•No prescreen required

•In-person, virtual, or asynchronous video options available

•Three parts: singing, acting, and dancing

VIDEO SUBMISSION DEADLINES

•Early Action applicants: complete by November 15 for priority scholarship consideration

•Regular Decision applicants: complete by February 7 for priority scholarship consideration

CONTACT

•Kate Arecchi: arecchkm@jmu.edu

•Kate Lumpkin: lumpkikr@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, submitted materials, and interview

•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

Program info updated Mar 27, 2:32 AM

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

•BA degree with intensive pre-professional training (accrediting agencies call it "intensive BA")

•Approximately 48 MT majors total

•Combines liberal arts education with professional arts training

PRODUCTIONS & TRAINING

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

•Private voice lessons and one-on-one mentorship

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

SCHOLARSHIPS

•Merit scholarships based on audition strength

•3.0 GPA minimum for scholarship consideration

NOTABLE ALUMNI

•Trey Ellet '92 — Lead role of Mark in Broadway's RENT for three years

•James Moye '00 — Broadway: URINETOWN, THE FULL MONTY; national tour of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

•Michael Minarik '00 — Broadway: ROCK OF AGES (since opening); also LES MISERABLES

•Brent Comer — Broadway: THE OUTSIDERS

•Austin Colby — Broadway: THE GREAT GATSBY

•Rachel Schur — Broadway: CHICAGO

Updated Mar 27, 2:32 AM

Academic School Information

3.66

Avg GPA

72%

Admit Rate

80%

Grad Rate

20,888

Enrollment

$69,954

Earnings

10yr after

In-State Tuition

$14,250

before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$31,604

before aid

Average Annual Cost

$23,322

after typical aid

Average annual cost is often lower than tuition because it accounts for grants and scholarships most students receive. It includes tuition, room & board, books, and supplies.

Family Income $0 - $30k$11,444

Family Income $30k - $48k$12,977

Family Income $48k - $75k$16,475

Family Income $75k - $110k$22,343

Family Income $110k+$30,147

View full data on College Scorecard