B.A. in Musical Theatre
Harrisonburg, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 6,434 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* regular admission | November 1st, 2022: early admission
** in-state tuition fee | $15,076: out-of-state tuition fee. Additional fees may apply
Introduction
Our Musical Theatre majors hone their skills as performers while exploring all areas of collaborative theatre-making, so you are prepared to succeed in the professional arena.
The Musical Theatre major provides professionally focused training within the context of a broader university experience. The intensive, hands-on curriculum affords students the opportunity to develop into well-rounded creative artists who are prepared to succeed in the professional arena. We endeavor to create a positive and collaborative environment that is inclusive as well as responsive to the needs and goals of 21st-century artists.
The School of Theatre and Dance combines the best attributes of a liberal arts education and professional arts training. Students major in theatre, musical theatre, or dance and study with a faculty of working professionals who give personal attention to every student. With a wide range of performance opportunities, one of the distinctive features of the School of Theatre and Dance is the emphasis it places on student-generated work in the Experimental Theatre and Dance Studio productions.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
A musical theatre major must fulfill a B.A. degree and major requirements.
Required Courses
- General Education 41 Credit Hours 1
- Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required) 0-14 Credit Hours 2
- Philosophy course (in addition to General Education courses) 3 Credit Hours
- University electives 0-14 Credit Hours
- Major requirements (listed below) 62 Credit Hours
Footnotes
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student’s chosen language (typically 232) or by placing out of that language through the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures’ placement test.
Major Requirements
All students pursuing a musical theatre major must complete the core requirements listed below.
Core Courses
- STAD 100. Theatre and Dance Colloquium Credits: 0.00 (4 enrollments)
- STAD 171. Performance Production Credits: 3.00
- STAD 250. The Collaborative Artist: Sophomore Studio Credits: 3.00
- Choose one of the following: 2 Credit Hours
- DANC 140. Elementary Modern Dance (0, 4) Credits: 2.00
- DANC 142. Elementary Ballet (0, 4) Credits: 2.00
- DANC 143. International Folk Dance (0, 4) Credits: 2.00
- DANC 144. Ballroom Dance (0, 4) Credits: 2.00
- DANC 147. Tap Dance (0, 4) Credits: 2.00
- DANC 245. Dance Improvisation (0, 4) Credits: 2.00
Program Requirements:
- THEA 208. Theatre Practicum: Performance Credits: 1.00
or - THEA 308. Theatre Practicum: Performance Credits: 1.00
- THEA 211. Performance Analysis Credits: 3.00
- THEA 251. Acting I: Basic Acting Credits: 3.00
- THEA 253. Musical Theatre Laboratory Credits: 1.00 1
- THEA 273. Design Aspects of Performance Credits: 3.00
- THEA 315. World Theatre Histories, Texts and Performances I Credits: 3.00
- THEA 316. World Theatre Histories, Texts and Performances II Credits: 3.00
- THEA 351. Acting II: Intermediate Acting Credits: 3.00
- THEA 353. Music Theatre Performance Credits: 2.00
- THEA 357. Music Theatre History and Analysis Credits: 3.00
or - MUS 357. Music Theatre History and Analysis Credits: 3.00
- THEA 454. Advanced Music Theatre Performance Credits: 2.00
- THEA 455. Auditioning for Musical Theatre Credits: 2.00
- DANC 146. Jazz Dance (0, 4) Credits: 2.00
- DANC 246. Intermediate Jazz Credits: 2.00
- DANC 346. Intermediate Jazz II/Musical Theatre Styles Credits: 2.00
- MUAP 114. Group Voice for Musical Theatre Concentrators Credits: 1.00 1
- MUAP 214. Private Voice for Musical Theatre Concentrators Credits: 1.00 2
- MUS 100. Keyboard Skills Credits: 1.00
- MUS 101. Keyboard Skills II Credits: 1.00
- MUS 140. Introduction to Music Theory and Aural Skills Credits: 4.00
Choose three of the following: 3 Credit Hours
(One credit each from scenery, lighting, costumes or management)
- THEA 204. Theatre Practicum: Scenery Credits: 1.00
or - THEA 304. Theatre Practicum: Scenery Credits: 1.00
- THEA 205. Theatre Practicum: Lights Credits: 1.00
or - THEA 305. Theatre Practicum: Lights Credits: 1.00
- THEA 206. Theatre Practicum: Costumes Credits: 1.00
or - THEA 306. Theatre Practicum: Costumes Credits: 1.00
- THEA 207. Theatre Practicum: Management Credits: 1.00
or - THEA 307. Theatre Practicum: Management Credits: 1.00
Choose one of the following: 3 Credit Hours
- THEA 441. Senior Seminar in Theatre Credits: 3.00
or - THEA 442. Senior Seminar Credits: 1.00 and
- THEA 499. Honors in Theatre Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
Recommended Schedule for Majors
First Year
- STAD 100. Theatre and Dance Colloquium Credits: 0.00 (fall and spring)
- STAD 171. Performance Production Credits: 3.00
- THEA 211. Performance Analysis Credits: 3.00
- THEA 251. Acting I: Basic Acting Credits: 3.00
- THEA 253. Musical Theatre Laboratory Credits: 1.00 (Two enrollments of 1 credit each)
- DANC 146. Jazz Dance (0, 4) Credits: 2.00
- MUAP 114. Group Voice for Musical Theatre Concentrators Credits: 1.00 (Two enrollments of 1 credit each)
- Dance Core
- Other technique courses to fit the student’s schedule
Second Year
- STAD 100. Theatre and Dance Colloquium Credits: 0.00 (fall and spring)
- STAD 250. The Collaborative Artist: Sophomore Studio Credits: 3.00
- THEA 273. Design Aspects of Performance Credits: 3.00
- THEA 351. Acting II: Intermediate Acting Credits: 3.00
- THEA 353. Music Theatre Performance Credits: 2.00
- THEA 357. Music Theatre History and Analysis Credits: 3.00
- DANC 246. Intermediate Jazz Credits: 2.00
- MUS 100. Keyboard Skills Credits: 1.00
- MUS 101. Keyboard Skills II Credits: 1.00
- MUAP 214. Private Voice for Musical Theatre Concentrators Credits: 1.00 (Two enrollments of 1 credit each)
- Practicum
- Other technique courses to fit the student’s schedule
Third Year
- THEA 315. World Theatre Histories, Texts and Performances I Credits: 3.00
- THEA 316. World Theatre Histories, Texts and Performances II Credits: 3.00
- THEA 454. Advanced Music Theatre Performance Credits: 2.00
- MUS 140. Introduction to Music Theory and Aural Skills Credits: 4.00
- MUAP 214. Private Voice for Musical Theatre Concentrators Credits: 1.00 (Two enrollments of 1.00 credit each)
- Practicum
- Other technique courses to fit the student’s schedule
- Take the following two courses: 6 Credit Hours
- THEA 315. World Theatre Histories, Texts and Performances I Credits: 3.00
- THEA 316. World Theatre Histories, Texts and Performances II Credits: 3.00
Fourth Year
- THEA 441. Senior Seminar in Theatre Credits: 3.00
or - THEA 442. Senior Seminar Credits: 1.00 and
- THEA 499. Honors in Theatre Credits: 1.00 - 3.00
- THEA 455. Auditioning for Musical Theatre Credits: 2.00
- Other technique courses to fit the student’s schedule
Footnotes
1 Two enrollments of one credit each.
2 Four enrollments of one credit each.
Career Opportunities
A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.
Here are current openings available to JMU students.
Jobs for JMU Students
Theatre
- Painter/Production Artist/Traveling Muralist at Creative Works
- Visual and Performing Arts Education Jobs in Georgia at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual and Performing Arts Education Jobs in Maryland, DC, and Delaware at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual and Performing Arts Education Jobs in Virginia and DC at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual & Performing Arts Education Jobs in Kentucky and Tennessee at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual & Performing Arts Education Jobs in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual & Performing Arts Education Jobs in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual & Performing Arts Education Jobs in Florida at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual & Performing Arts Education Jobs in North Carolina and South Carolina at Southern Teachers Agency
- Teaching Jobs at K-12 Independent & Private Schools Nationwide at Carney, Sandoe & Associates
- Technical Theater Manager at Sitka Fine Arts Camp
- Faculty, Theater Technical Director at Miami Dade College
- 2022-23 Theater & Performing Arts Teacher Tk-8th Grade at Education for Change Public Schools
- US Navy Nuclear Officer-116 at US Navy
- Cruise Ship Showband Musician at Suman Entertainment Group
- Cruise Ship Showband Musician at Suman Entertainment Group
Music
- Teaching Artist at Keegan Theatre
- Art Therapist at A Free Bird Corporation
- Music Teacher - Arlington, VA at Arlington VA Public Schools
- AmeriCorps Summer Respite Apprentice- Easterseals Wisconsin Camps at Easter Seals Wisconsin
- AmeriCorps Spring Respite Apprentice- Easterseals Wisconsin Camps at Easter Seals Wisconsin
- AmeriCorps Fall Respite Apprentice- Easterseals Wisconsin Camps at Easter Seals Wisconsin
- Music Educator at Prince George's County Public Schools (MD)
- Visual and Performing Arts Education Jobs in Georgia at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual and Performing Arts Education Jobs in Maryland, DC, and Delaware at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual and Performing Arts Education Jobs in Virginia and DC at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual & Performing Arts Education Jobs in Kentucky and Tennessee at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual & Performing Arts Education Jobs in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual & Performing Arts Education Jobs in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual & Performing Arts Education Jobs in Florida at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual & Performing Arts Education Jobs in North Carolina and South Carolina at Southern Teachers Agency
- K-12 Teachers for Classical, Liberal Arts Academies 2022-2023 School Year Mid-year Openings at Great Hearts Academies (GREAT HEARTS AMERICA)
- Art/Music Therapist at TidalHealth
- K-12 Teachers for Classical, Liberal Arts Academies 2023-2024 School Year at Great Hearts Academies (GREAT HEARTS AMERICA)
- Elementary Music Teacher at Nogales Unified School District No. 1
Performing Arts
- Teaching Artist at Keegan Theatre
- Recreation Leader I, Newhall Community Center - PTS at City of Santa Clarita
- Receptionist - Community Manager I at Carr Workplaces
- Teacher - Special Education (Special Education Teacher) at Federal Bureau of Prisons
- Divisional Recruiter (McLean, VA) at Piper Companies
- Divisional Recruiter (Charlotte, NC) at Piper Companies
- Divisional Recruiter (Cary, NC) at Piper Companies
- Divisional Recruiter (Columbia, MD) at Piper Companies
- Social Media Content Creator at Planit Advertising, Inc.
- Web Services Front End Designer and Developer at Spartanburg County Public Library
- Art Educator at Prince George's County Public Schools (MD)
- Production Manager I at South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
- Visual and Performing Arts Education Jobs in Georgia at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual and Performing Arts Education Jobs in Maryland, DC, and Delaware at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual and Performing Arts Education Jobs in Virginia and DC at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual & Performing Arts Education Jobs in Kentucky and Tennessee at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual & Performing Arts Education Jobs in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual & Performing Arts Education Jobs in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama at Southern Teachers Agency
- Visual & Performing Arts Education Jobs in Florida at Southern Teachers Agency
Internships for JMU Students
Theatre
- SOUND & PROJECTIONS APPRENTICE at Olney Theatre Center
- Stage Management Internship - Toni Stone Production at Goodman Theatre
- Stage Management Internship - A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre
- Youth Development Internship at Circle F Dude Ranch Camp and Outdoor Education Center
Music
- Automotive Audio Systems Intern at Tesla
- WEB3 Interns - Music Industry at Ropeadope
- LAI Video Assistant Editor Intern at Leading Authorities, Inc.
- SOUND & PROJECTIONS APPRENTICE at Olney Theatre Center
- AmeriCorps Summer Daycamp Leader - PT North Texas Internship at Project Transformation North Texas
- Stage Management Internship - Toni Stone Production at Goodman Theatre
- Stage Management Internship - A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre
- EDITION by Modern Luxury Print Editorial Internship - Fall 2022 (Remote) at Modern Luxury
- Programming Intern at Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital
- Short Film/Video Content Creator ( Part-Time, Paid) (Immediate, Remote/Flexible hours) - School Year 2022-23 at CaringDr Corporation
- Media Coordinator at Camp Cheerio and Cheerio on the New River
- Public Relations & Marketing Spring Internship (Virtual) at The Amish Heritage Foundation
- Social Media Marketing Spring Internship (Virtual) at The Amish Heritage Foundation
- Music Instructor: iPlay® at Power Changes Lives
- Warner Music U, Content Creator at Warner Music Group
- Warner Music U, Marketing Rep at Warner Music Group
- Social Media Intern at The Mansion on O Street
- Hospitality Internship at The Mansion on O Street
- Development Internship at The Mansion on O Street
Performing Arts
- Automotive Audio Systems Intern at Tesla
- SOUND & PROJECTIONS APPRENTICE at Olney Theatre Center
- Digital Artist Intern at KCF Technologies, Inc.
- Fundraising and Donor Relations Remote Internship (Fall 2022) at Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
- Stage Management Internship-New Stages Festival at Goodman Theatre
- Stage Management Internship - Toni Stone Production at Goodman Theatre
- Stage Management Internship - A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre
- Youth Development Internship at Circle F Dude Ranch Camp and Outdoor Education Center
- Character Art Intern - Fortnite - R23434 at Epic Games
- Social Media Marketing; Email Marketing; Customer Service, Member Support & Care; Public Relations (PR); E-Commerce & Merchandise; Video, Film, & Media Production; Website & Technology; Human Resources (HR);Business Management & Operations; Analytics at National STEM Honor Society (NSTEM)
- Sales, Partnership & Sponsorship Strategies Virtual Remote Internship at National STEM Honor Society (NSTEM)
- Digital Fundraising Volunteer at A Free Bird Corporation
- Arts, Business, Artists, Marketing, Fashion, Social Media, Event Planning, and more. at Six Summit Gallery and affiliated Venues
- Business, Marketing, Social Media, Analytics, Media, Sales & Member Support, Film, Computer Science, E-Commerce, Information Collection & Data Management, Business Management, PR, HR, Entrepreneurial, Virtual, Remote Internship at National STEM Honor Society (NSTEM)
- Marketing, Public Relations & Management (May Be Virtual) Internship for Spring 2023 at Ivana D. George Studios
- Music Archivist-Curator Internship at The Mansion on O Street
- Contemporary Art Museum internship at Shenandoah MOCA
Scholarships and Funding
Madison awards more than 400 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The primary criterion for merit-based scholarships is exceptional academic performance. Other selection criteria may include leadership, involvement, and career goals.
The Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU Foundation scholarships at James Madison University. To access the Madison Scholarships Hub, log in to MyMadison. Under the Applicant tab, click on the Madison Scholarships Hub logo.
All students are encouraged to fill out the General Application in the Madison Scholarships Hub to be considered for various scholarship opportunities. Qualifications for the majority of our scholarships are based on the General Application information as well as information pulled directly from your admissions application.
Review the criteria carefully for any recommended scholarship opportunities you are presented with and if you meet the qualifications, click apply to submit the additional required information. Deadlines vary across departments so be sure to complete the General Application as soon as possible to receive full consideration. Some scholarship opportunities become available starting in the fall while others open later so be sure to check back in January, February and March.
Facilities
English Language Requirements
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