Forbes Center Venues

Named by Dick and Shirley Hanson Roberts (’56), the Shirley Hanson Roberts Center for Music Performance is home to 33 practice rooms, a large ensemble rehearsal space, a computer lab, and four piano faculty studios. James Madison University is designated as an “All Steinway School” and both the Concert Hall and Recital Hall, which are located in this building, contain Steinway pianos.

Recital Hall

The 198-seat Recital Hall is an intimate space designed for student, faculty and guest artist solo and small ensemble recitals. Like the Concert Hall, the Recital Hall is built on a plenum; it also contains adjustable acoustic curtains and a magnificent metal-curved ceiling. Orchestra and side orchestra seating are offered in this stunning venue. View Recital Hall Seating Chart

Dorothy Thomasson Estes Center for Theatre and Dance

Named by Ed and Susan Estes, the Dorothy Thomasson Estes Center for Theatre and Dance houses faculty offices, classrooms, computer labs, costume and scene shops, as well as dance and acting studios. The Mainstage Theatre, Studio Theatre and Earlynn J. Miller Dance Theatre are located in this building.

Mainstage Theatre

The 450-seat Mainstage Theatre is a proscenium theatre designed to accommodate guest artists and choreographers, faculty, and faculty directed works performed by student actors. The space provides an intimate relationship between performers and audience members. Features include a flexible thrust stage, a fly space for full-length backdrops and set pieces, as well as state-of-the-art lighting and sound. Orchestra, balcony and box seating all offer outstanding views of the stage. View Mainstage Theatre Seating Chart

Studio Theatre

Home to the Children’s Playshop, the 200-seat Studio Theatre is an experimental theatre designed for student-directed, student-designed and student-acted performances. It is a highly flexible space for staging and audience seating; directors may choose theatre in the round, three-quarter and proscenium seating — their imaginations are their only limitations.

Earlynn J. Miller Dance Theatre

Student dancers perform choreography of guest choreographers, faculty and other students in the 200-seat Earlynn J. Miller Dance Theatre. The theatre also welcomes performances by visiting artists. It contains telecope seating units, a sprung floor, full-length mirrors and theatrical lighting, sound and drapes. The theatre is named for Earlynn J. Miller, dance professor emeritus.