James Madison University
School of Theatre and Dance · Forbes Center for the Performing Arts
Harrisonburg, VA
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About the Program
The School of Theatre and Dance at James Madison University offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dance within a joint theatre-and-dance environment at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. Students may complete a general BA in Dance or the BA in Dance with an optional Pre K-12 Dance Teaching Licensure add-on (typically completed concurrently rather than as a separate 5-year degree). Adjacent Musical Theatre major runs in the same school. Students access production, showcase, and guest-artist opportunities across the joint theatre and dance ecosystem.
Degrees Offered
BA in Dance (General)
BA in Dance (K-12 Teaching Licensure, 5 years)
- •K-12 Teaching Licensure
BFA in Dance
Concentrations
Coursework
Joint School of Theatre and Dance. JMU offers a BA in Dance with an optional Pre K-12 Dance Teaching Licensure track (an add-on completed concurrently, not a separate degree). Musical Theatre major runs in the same school but is not a Dance concentration.
Facilities
Forbes Center for the Performing Arts serves as the shared home for JMU Theatre and Dance productions.
Rankings & Alumni
Rankings
NASD-accredited institutional member since 9/1/1999 (as of July 2026).
Alumni Outcomes
Recent School of Theatre and Dance alumni working on Broadway include Austin Colby (Music Education '11), Brent Comer (Musical Theatre '19, originated a role in a Tony-winning Broadway hit), and Mackenzie Meadows (Musical Theatre '20). These alumni were majors in adjacent programs within the joint School of Theatre and Dance rather than the Dance program specifically.
Want to Learn More?
Continue on James Madison University's official site.