Forbes Center

The Circle of Excellence in the Arts Awards are co-sponsored by the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, the Arts Council of the Valley, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts at James Madison University. These awards, founded in 2013, recognize those individuals and organizations in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley that enhance and strengthen the cultural community by promoting and advocating for artistic excellence. One award is given annually in recognition of an Augusta or Rockingham County, Harrisonburg, Staunton or Waynesboro visual or performing artist, arts administrator, or arts educator whose creative… More

James Madison University officials have been closely monitoring the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, partnering with the Virginia Department of Health and public health experts here on campus to adjust university operations at home and abroad. Our primary goal is to protect the health and safety of our faculty and staff, students and the greater Harrisonburg community.

While there are no COVID-19 cases in the JMU community at this time, it has become necessary for the university to take further steps to support public safety. In the interest of being a good public citizen, JMU, the College of Visual and Performing Arts, and the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts will be cancelling all ticketed performances through Sunday, May 17, 2020.

We share in your disappointment, but we know that this is in the best interest of our students and community members.

Your entire purchase will be refunded for any performance scheduled through Sunday, May 17, 2020. Please contact the box office at forbesboxoffice.jmu.edu or 540-568-7000, Monday through Friday, 10 am to 5:30 pm, to confirm your method of refund. We are encouraging our patrons to communicate with us via email and phone instead of visiting us in-person at the box office.

The first refund option is a credit to your Forbes account. This credit can be used toward any future ticket purchase. The second refund option is a credit back to your original method of payment (credit card, JACard and checks only). For all cash purchases, we can issue a check refund.

If we do not hear from you by Friday, March 27 @ 5:30 pm, your refund will be credited to your Forbes Center account.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Many thanks for your continued support of the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. 

This special show commemorating the centennial of the birth of jazz giant Dave Brubeck features stories by the Brubeck brothers, video interviews with Dave Brubeck and musicians he influenced, as well as music by the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, “a wondrous combination of swing, melodic majesty, masterful arrangements and a truckload of truly inspirational solos.” (The Seattle Times) More

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Wilda modeled her life after that of her grandmother—to be fearless and adventure down the same dirt roads. The vision of Wilda’s future takes a different path when she is welcomed into a club she never asked to be a part of after being diagnosed with a debilitating illness. When another club member goes through a crisis, Wilda is forced to look her worst nightmare in the eye. More

Brimming with a lush score, compelling plot and brilliant wit, the hilarious and satirical operetta Iolanthe is a send up to Gilbert and Sullivan’s topsy-turvy world of misalliances, contradictions, and English political peculiarities. Passions are ignited, lovers are thwarted and then reunited, and in true G&S style, irreconcilable differences vanish with a pencil stroke and the wave of the Fairy Queen’s magic wand. More

Experience the JMU Symphony Orchestra as they accompany the winners of the prestigious School of Music Concerto Competition. The second half of the program will feature the strings of the JMU Symphony Orchestra along with The Madison Singers, JMU Chorale and JMU dance students in Triptych, a fast-moving, three-movement work by Grammy-nominated composer Tarik O’Regan. More

Under the direction of Dr. Chuck Dotas, the JMU Jazz Ensemble was founded in 1971 and is the premier jazz group in the School of Music at JMU. The ensemble has performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Terrace Theater, Montreux International Jazz and Blues Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival and VMEA annual convention. More

In the apocalyptic play The Hungry Woman, feminist author and Chicano playwright Cherríe Moraga uses mythology and intimate realism to describe the embattled position of Chicanos and Chicanas, not only in the United States but in relation to one another. Features students from JMU’s School of Theatre and Dance. More

The JMU Jazz Band was founded in 1971 and is under the direction of Dr. Chuck Dotas. More

This exciting concert features talented young dancers and choreographers from JMU’s Dance Program. More

The JMU Symphonic Band is under the direction of Stephen P. Bolstad. The JMU Concert Band is under the direction of Amy Birdsong. More

A multi-ethnic Latin pop songstress, Gina Chavez is a 10-time Austin Music Award winner whose NPR Tiny Desk Concert has garnered over 800,000 views. Her latest all-English release Lightbeam, “steeped in slow-burn soul and up-tempo R&B,” (NPR) adds diversity to her passionate collection of bilingual songs that traverse cumbia, indie folk, blues, and Latin pop. Chavez “possesses the vocal abilities to dig deep into your soul with her melodies.” (Nanobot Rock Reviews) More

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The JMU Wind Symphony, under the direction of Stephen P. Bolstad, is the premier woodwind, brass and percussion ensemble at JMU. The Wind Symphony is committed to performing the great works of the wind band’s core repertoire while also exploring the best of contemporary composition. More

After a full day of fun adventures at school and the store, Baby Llama can’t wait to put on his red pajamas. But where’s Mama? This hilarious new musical will warm every Llama and Llama Mama’s heart. Wear your pajamas and join us for a pre-show reception and crafts at 6 pm! Founded in 2004, Bay Area Children’s Theatre reaches 125,000 children and adults per year in the San Francisco Bay Area. More

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This concert benefitting Any Given Child Shenandoah Valley features the Valley Wind Ensemble, a group of more than 60 local area music educators and freelance musicians. An ensemble of students selected from Harrisonburg City Schools return to the lineup in an evening that combines performance, education and dialogue to engage audiences of all ages. Check back for program updates. More

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An Appalachian telling of Jack and the Beanstalk featuring traditional folk music, Jack and the Wonder Beans is based on the delightful children’s book about what happens when a young boy plants magic beans in his backyard. Audiences will see this magic—and giants—come to life on stage in a participation-packed production highlighting Jack’s journey. More