Forbes Center for the Performing Arts

04/06/2026

Fresh choreography. Bold ideas. One unforgettable weekend.

New Voices in Dance hits the stage April 10–12 at the Forbes Center, featuring innovative works by student choreographers, faculty, and guest artists. Get your tickets now at https://rebrand.ly/newvoicesdance

03/30/2026

Join us this Saturday, April 4 to enjoy the sounds of Nidia Góngora and Band!

The “Maestra Nidia Góngora” as she is known, is the most recognized singer in the Colombian Pacific and the bearer of the innate tradition inherited from her elders and the leading singers of her community. Nidia’s versatile, innovative music fuses lyrics and rhythms such as currulaos, bundes, jugas, rumbas, and lullabies with a touch of folk, electronic beats and experimental sounds. Audiences are invited to a post-show Q&A with the Artist.

🎟️ One night only—get your tickets now at https://jmuforbescenter.com/events/2026/04/04-nidia-gongora.shtml

02/13/2026

An unforgettable “Forbes Family Fun” adventure awaits you on Sun, Mar 1 at 6:30 pm! Join us for The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac, celebrating with a retelling of one of the most beloved tales in the Chinese folklore. Learn how each animal earned its place in the Chinese Zodiac through this incredible performance from the acclaimed Honolulu Theatre for Youth featuring traditional Chinese music, Jingju, martial arts and a whole lot of fun! Recommended for audiences ages 4 and up.

01/08/2026

Experience the powerful one-woman show, Sell Me: I Am From North Korea, inspired by the true stories of defectors and survivors who risked everything to escape one of the world’s most repressive regimes. Written and performed by Sora Baek, a second-generation North Korean refugee, the performance incorporates historical photos, real-life footage, and public testimony. Join us at the Mainstage Theatre on Friday, January 23, at 7:30 pm. Contains adult content. Recommended for ages 14 and up. Get tickets at jmuforbescenter.com.

12/11/2025

Get ready to blast off! 🚀 A “Forbes Family Fun Show” on Sun, Feb 8 @ 6:30 pm in Wilson Hall

Secrets of Space takes you on an interactive journey across the galaxy with mind-bending illusions, dazzling visuals, and key ideas and inventions in science, technology, and engineering. (Recommended for audiences ages 7 and up). Tickets at jmuforbescenter.com.

12/04/2025

There are a few tickets left in the choral balcony for this weekend's HolidayFest: Holiday Pops!

We will feature a crowd-pleasing variety of contemporary holiday favorites for a sparkling start to the season. With invited readers and soloists, we will share the inspiration of “A JMU Charlie Brown Christmas.” Please join us for all the fun, music, and memories! ✨

11/19/2025

There is a lot going on at the Forbes Center this time of year! Grab a ticket to one of the upcoming JMU School of Music and JMU Dance Program performances or claim your seat in an upcoming encore show. See you at Forbes!

11/19 JMU Wind Symphony
11/21 Push Physical Theatre: Hyde
12/2 JMU Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble
12/3 JMU Guitar Ensemble
12/4-6 Fall Student Dance Concert
12/4 JMU Symphonic Band
12/6-7 A "Forbes Family Fun Show" | HolidayFest: Holiday Pops!

11/14/2025

THIS WEEKEND - Nov 14-16 - Join the JMU Opera Theatre for the operatic adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. When a military regiment returns from war, Hero will marry Claudio! However, Hero’s cousin, Béatrice, is annoyed that this also means her nemesis, Bénédict, is back.

11/04/2025

It's Jekyll and Hyde with a twist! The internationally renowned PUSH Physical Theatre presents an innovative and harrowing retelling of the iconic classic Jekyll and Hyde with their own adaptation.

Friday, November 21 @ 7:30 pm
Tickets: https://jmuforbescenter.com/events/2025/11/21-push.shtml

It's Jekyll and Hyde with a twist! Push Physical Theatre's HYDE at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, November 21 @ 7:30 pm in the Mainsta...

10/23/2025

Gather around for some holiday cheer during HolidayFest: Holiday Pops! Forbes Family Fun Show Dec. 6-7 🎁 🎶 This year's show features a crowd-pleasing variety of contemporary holiday favorites and "A JMU Charlie Brown Christmas" with the JMU Choral Area and JMU Wind Symphony.

Prior to the Dec. 7 matinee at 1 pm, children can enjoy crafts, cookies, and cider in the lobby! Get tickets at https://jmuforbescenter.com/events/2025/12/06-holidayfest.shtml

10/21/2025

One day only on Sat. Nov. 15 at the Forbes Center! Join “the world’s only period-instrument rock band” (San Francisco Classical Voice) and the “dazzling” (The New York Times) flutist Emi Ferguson for a wild, reimagined romp through Bach’s most playful works in Emi Ferguson and Ruckus: Fly the Coop! Expect equal parts tradition, funk, and pure fun early music like you’ve never heard it before. Get tickets at https://jmuforbescenter.com/events/2025/11/15-ruckus.shtml