The Forbes Center for the Performing Arts combines two major facilities: the Dorothy Thomasson Estes Center for Theatre and Dance and the Shirley Hanson Roberts Center for Music Performance. The building serves as the home of JMU’s School of Theatre and Dance and stands on the west side of South Main Street, directly across from Wilson Hall. The 175,000-square-foot facility boasts five performance venues with a total of 1,650 seats, along with classrooms, rehearsal spaces and offices. The building’s prominent place on campus boldly affirms the university’s commitment to the arts – an essential component completing a liberal arts curriculum – as well as symbolically completes the cherished quadrangle.
Study Spaces/Computer Labs:
The Studio Theatre lobby on the first floor of Forbes is a sunny, airy space where students can study or work at round tables when not in use for a theatre production. This area also offers a "Provisions on Demand" take-out food service. Two computer labs with printers and natural light are also open to students when they are not reserved for a class. Forbes 2137 is a Mac Lab and Forbes 1203 is a PC lab. View computer lab availability online. For a livelier setting, try the seating in the hallways or the lobby of the lower Mainstage Theatre in the Forbes Center.
Accessibility:
Accessible Parking: Warsaw Parking Deck or small metered lot behind center
Accessible Entrance: Ramps from parking deck to front entrance with zero-entry and automatic door
Access between floors: Elevator
Building features:
Men/Women restrooms
Fully Accessible restrooms
Wireless Audio Enhancement Devices available for performances, ID required
Performance venues have wheelchair and companion, and transfer seating, please reserve in advance
Click here for more accessibility information.
Built: 2010