Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance

- 6100 Old Leeds Rd, Irondale, AL 35210

For aspiring performers, technical crew members, and serious arts students across the great state of Alabama, the Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance, widely known as JCATD, is a true point of pride and a distinguished educational opportunity. Located in the heart of the Birmingham metropolitan area, in Irondale, this is not a typical after-school program but a highly-regarded, professionally-oriented drama school. It is an audition-based program designed specifically for students who are serious about pursuing theatre and dance-related fields as their future professions.

As one of the oldest and most celebrated Thespian Troupes in Alabama (Troupe 398), JCATD has earned a reputation for being an award-winning program, repeatedly selected as one of the top high school programs in the United States. It operates as a vital part of the Shades Valley High School campus, serving as the Jefferson County theatre department. The mission of the academy is clear: to develop highly-trained theatre and dance students by providing them with the insight, opportunities, and professional guidance needed to excel. Students here do more than just perform; they gain hands-on experience in every facet of production, making it a comprehensive training ground for the next generation of Alabama’s artists and technical professionals. For local families with children who are passionate about the performing arts, this academy represents a premier pathway to college and career success.

Location and Accessibility

The Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance is conveniently situated at 6100 Old Leeds Rd, Irondale, AL 35210, USA. This placement within the Shades Valley High School campus makes it a central and easily recognizable location for students commuting from various parts of Jefferson County and the surrounding areas.

The facility demonstrates a commitment to serving all members of the community by ensuring proper accessibility features are in place. For ease of access and inclusion, the academy features a wheelchair accessible entrance and a dedicated wheelchair accessible parking lot. This attention to detail ensures that the space is good for all kids and is welcoming to every student, parent, or patron wishing to attend classes, auditions, or one of the many productions throughout the season.

Given its location as part of the public school system, prospective students must be enrolled in Shades Valley High School or JCIB to participate in the full academy curriculum, which integrates core academic studies alongside the required academy credits.

Services Offered (The Academy Curriculum)

JCATD offers a specialized curriculum that requires students to complete a set of core academy credits in addition to their standard high school academic classes. The program provides a truly immersive experience, covering both the on-stage and crucial behind-the-scenes aspects of the performing arts.

• Acting: Training in performance techniques for the stage, screen, and musical theatre.
• Dance Classes: Required credits in dance to develop physical presence, coordination, and a broad range of movement skills essential for modern performers.
• Musical Theatre: Specialized instruction combining acting, singing, and dance to prepare students for this highly competitive field.
• Technical Track Training: Opportunities for students to help manage, design, and execute the technical side of theatre, including:
  • Set Design and Construction (learning to draft and build physical structures)
  • Stage Management (coordinating all aspects of a production)
  • Lighting Design and Operation (creating mood and focus with stage lights)
  • Sound Design and Operation (integrating sound effects and music)
  • Costuming and Make-up: Hands-on experience with character transformation.
• Performance Opportunities: Students participate in 4-8 productions each year, including full-scale plays, musicals, and special events.
• Competition Participation: Required participation in events like the Walter Trumbauer Festival (a major Alabama theatre competition) and involvement with the International Thespian Festival.
• Choreography and Original Works: Opportunities for students to help choreograph, stage manage, and produce original works, fostering creativity and leadership.

Features / Highlights

The Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance is renowned for several distinguishing features that make it a premier destination for arts education in the Alabama region.

• Audition-Based & Professional Focus: This is a highly selective, audition-based program intended for serious, dedicated students looking to pursue a career in the arts, ensuring a high standard of student commitment and performance quality.
• National Recognition: The program has been repeatedly selected as one of the top ten high school theatre programs in the United States, bringing state and national prestige to the students and Jefferson County.
• Comprehensive Training Model: Students receive a well-rounded education in both performance (acting, dance, musical theatre) and all aspects of technical production, creating versatile, career-ready graduates.
• Student-Led Production Roles: JCATD uniquely allows students to take on significant behind-the-scenes roles—from building sets and working lights to choreographing—providing invaluable, real-world experience.
• International Thespian Society Involvement: The academy is home to Thespian Troupe 398, one of Alabama’s oldest troupes, offering students networking and development opportunities through regional and international festivals.
• Extracurricular Balance: The program structure is designed to allow students to participate in this highly demanding arts curriculum while still being able to participate in school sports and other extracurricular activities.
• Community & Personal Development: Beyond technical skills, the program is dedicated to developing crucial life skills such as self-confidence, leadership, discipline, creativity, and a strong sense of belonging among its diverse student body.

Contact Information

For parents, students, or community members in Alabama seeking more information about the application process, upcoming performances, or how to support the program, here is the official contact information:

• Address: 6100 Old Leeds Rd, Irondale, AL 35210, USA (Located on the Shades Valley High School Campus)
• Phone: (205) 379-5350
• Mobile Phone: +1 205-379-5350

Prospective students are encouraged to visit the JCATD website and contact the academy directly to get details on audition requirements and application deadlines.

What is Worth Choosing This Academy

For Alabama students with a genuine passion and drive for the performing arts, the Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance is unequivocally worth choosing. This academy provides an unmatched level of professional training and exposure at the high school level that is simply not available in a standard curriculum. JCATD doesn't just teach theatre; it operates like a professional company where students are fully immersed in a discipline that demands excellence. The emphasis on hands-on technical theatre—set design, lighting, sound, and stage management—ensures that graduates are skilled in both on-stage performance and high-demand, behind-the-scenes professions. This dual-focus approach creates well-rounded artists who are prepared for the rigors of competitive university programs and the professional world.

Furthermore, the deep involvement with state and national festivals, such as Trumbauer and the International Thespian Festival, provides students with performance evaluation, critical feedback, and scholarship opportunities that dramatically increase their college acceptance prospects. Choosing JCATD means selecting a path of rigorous discipline, creative expression, and strong community—a pathway that has historically produced some of the best-trained young artists in the country, right here in Irondale, Alabama. It's an investment in a professional future and a commitment to nurturing exceptional local talent.

Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance

6100 Old Leeds Rd, Irondale, AL 35210, USA