Music & Theatre at John Brown University

Music & theatre programs

Our programs are holistic, richly integrated, and flexible, designed to develop versatile, innovative, creative professionals with the skills to excel in a diverse array of careers from performance to education to technical production and beyond.

Integrated music studies

Music education

Performing Arts

Music minor

Musical theatre minor

Theatre minor

Worship arts minor

Showcase your talent

for majors and non-majors

At JBU you’ll have virtually endless opportunities to hone your skills and present your work. Participate in live production, sound recording, music ministry, choral singing, collaborative ensembles, national competitions, and award-winning plays and musical theatre.

Choirs, bands and ensembles

Theatre

Facilities & tools of the trade

Students have access to practice rooms and performance areas in the Berry Performing Arts Center, including the computer-MIDI lab, the Yamaha keyboard lab, the JBU recording studio, and a music library.

The Berry Performing Arts Center (BPAC) is home to our 500-seat Herklotz Auditorium with modern, innovative acoustic technology as well as a full orchestra pit and a 1,500-square-foot performance area. The BPAC is equipped with a superior sound system and extensive theatrical lighting for orchestral concerts, choral concerts, theatrical productions, lectures, chapel services, and more. The advanced technological capabilities and large seating capacity of the BPAC provide a versatile and adaptable atmosphere suitable for almost any occasion.

360° tours

Experience JBU in a whole new way with immersive 360° videos! Move your mobile device, or click with your mouse to move the camera. Make sure to watch in HD!

BPAC Lobby

The center hosts many stage productions, which includes musicals, plays and recitals, in addition to special performances by world-renowned artists. The lobby allows guests to purchase tickets and fellowship with other guests before and after productions. After musicals and plays, cast members greet guests in the lobby.

BPAC Scene Shop

JBU students are involved in every aspect of productions, including on stage and off, lighting and sound design, set construction and stage management. The scene shop allows students to build the sets that will bring a play or musical to life.

BPAC Exterior

Berry Performing Arts Center houses the 500-seat Herklotz Auditorium, which hosts musicals, plays and recitals, in addition to choir and ensemble practice rooms and state-of-the-art recording equipment.

BPAC Instrumental Practice Room

This practice room filled with a variety of instruments, including string, woodwind, brass and percussion, allows students to practice and improve their skills. The room is often used by JBU's Chamber Orchestra, an instrumental ensemble that performs two concerts each year.

BPAC Choral Practice Room

This practice room is often used by JBU's Women's Chorus, a women's group that enjoys singing a variety of music from different historical periods and genres of choral literature, and JBU's Cathedral Choir, JBU's most prestigious music ensemble who have performed tours all over the U.S. and in Northern Ireland. The room also includes a recording studio.

BPAC Dressing Room

The center hosts many stage productions, which includes musicals, plays and recitals, in addition to special performances by world-renowned artists. In the dressing room, actors can prep for productions by putting on their make-up and costumes.

BPAC Herklotz Auditorium

The 500-seat Herklotz Auditorium is equipped with a superior sound system, modern and innovative acoustic technology, and extensive theatrical lighting for orchestral concerts, choral concerts, theatrical productions, lectures and more. The auditorium also includes a full orchestra pit and a 1,500-square-foot performance area.

Cathedral Piano Lab

This classroom filled with over eight pianos provides students with the opportunity to practice and improve piano skills. The room is an extension of JBU's music program.

Cathedral Jones Recital Hall

The Jones Recital Hall provides an intimate atmosphere for performances and presentations of all kinds including vocal performances, piano recitals, speeches, presentations and more. This performance hall is designed with well-balanced acoustics, comfortable theater seating, as well as theatrical lighting to accommodate unique performance needs.

Cathedral Sanctuary

The historic Cathedral of the Ozarks sanctuary features tall, ornate stained-glass windows, beautifully crafted dark wooden pews and a flawless limestone exterior. Chapel and candlelight services, choral concerts, renowned lecturers, weddings and musical performances are held in this building.

Contact us

Annette Funk

Administrative assistant and Community Arts Academy coordinator

afunk@jbu.edu

479.524.7154

Josiah Wallace

Associate Professor of Speech and Theatre

jwallace@jbu.edu

479.524.7257

Liesl Dromi

Chair, Department of Music & Theatre, Assistant Professor of Music

ldromi@jbu.edu

479.524.7265

Lisa Auten

Assistant Professor of Music

lauten@jbu.edu

479.524.7152

Connor Young

Director of Worship Arts & Pastoral Care

cyoung@jbu.edu

479.524.7461

Seung-Won Cho

Assistant Professor of MusicMusic and Theatre

scho@jbu.edu

479.524.7194

Peter Rexford

AVL Music & Theater Specialist

prexford@jbu.edu

Bear Klenda

Director of AVL ServicesInformation Technology Svcs

bklenda@jbu.edu

479.524.7383

Jonah Thornton

AVL SpecialistInformation Technology Svcs

jthornton@jbu.edu

479.524.7436

Cheri Headrick

Community Arts Academy Instructor

chheadrick@jbu.edu

JBU does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.

)}}

Music & theatre

Learn and Grow. Create Beauty. Change the World.

Looking for our Summer Academy options for high school students? Click here.

Learn to