Webster University

5pants · 01-10-2005, 10:53 AM

If anyone would like information regarding Webster University's BFA program please feel free to email me or post questions. I started this new thread thinking that it might helpful to those researching..etc. to "folder" the individual schools. I have two freshman S's at Webster and would be more than happy to give you any insight I can.

SUE B

cato · 01-10-2005, 08:19 PM

What are the pro's and con's of Webster as you see them?

5pants · 01-11-2005, 04:19 PM

Cato,

After seeing Webster close up I can only see one negative with it and that is that the NYC Showcase for seniors is in March...kind of hard to be cast in anything when you still have 2 months of school to complete.

As far as pros? My goodness...so many!

1) Program is extremely acting based. In my eyes this is a plus...many others may disagree...as I know there are lots of varying opinions regarding what is more important...acting, singing, or dancing. Classical vocal music is taught, and even though Webster does not require a dance audition, I can tell you first hand that even students with lots of dance experience who come to Webster find their dance classes very challenging.

2) Good education...although a typical conservatory student's schedule may not appear on paper to be the well rounded liberal arts college education, you can't begin to realize what the conservatory classes require...extensive research on characters and time periods, acting journals, text analysis. My Ss would tell you that it's like History and English classes all rolled into one. Also would like to mention- that my Ss are good friends with an equity actor in our area....he received his training in Michigan and London....needless to say he was awestruck to hear about all the things my guys are learning!

3) Faculty is not only superbly qualified, but nurturing as well. I won't kid you though, if a student is not working to their full potential they will certainly let them know. They expect quality work and progress.

4) Facilities are wonderful. Webster is continuing to update their campus. They have a brand new dance wing at Webster which it to die for.

5) Webster's campus is also home to St. Louis Rep. and St.Louis Opera. Because they share the same theatre with Webster, students are exposed to many more theatre experiences than a typical college campus. My Ss have met some top knotch performers....great way to learn to network and make those ever important contacts.

I am sure that once I have posted this, I will think of many more. I think one of the most positive changes I have seen in my Ss just from this one semester is their ability to time manage.

Cato- from your earlier postings, I see you are going to be at Webster on the 19th of January. We are headed back on Thursday with the guys. Break a leg next week! Perhaps you will get the chance to meet my Ss....they are "Theatre Buddies"....who help interested students get from one building to another and answer any questions they might have.

Hope I have been of some help!

SUE

cato · 01-11-2005, 08:26 PM

Thank you 5pants. I'm looking forward to seeing it 1st hand even more than ever.

Ericsmom · 01-11-2005, 10:19 PM

As Sue - 5pants- knows (because we've communicated separately and she helped me figure out how to sign up officially for posting here), her sons are wonderful - you must meet them when you are at Webster. My junior son and I visited campus in Sept. and were so impressed with everything. We were so excited when Alex was the person my son was to shadow that afternoon, and I had been reading Sue's postings. My son thought the acting classes he attended were amazing. I thought the campus was a great size with much to offer. Also, I likened the conservatory program to what we saw at DePaul in Chicago. We were very impressed with DePaul but disappointed that they did not offer singing and dance. Webster seems to offer excellent dance and music in addition to the acting. My son is impressed that the acting takes priority for them. I want to echo Sue's thoughts that this is a great program that people should check out.

sreis · 01-15-2005, 09:53 AM

thanks 5pants

cato · 01-17-2005, 07:10 PM

5pants or anyone else,

One of the local teachers today said that Webster tends to take more students than most schools to start, but several drop out or transfer because they don't do the work or otherwise find they're not right for the program. It didn't sound so much like a cut policy as having high expectations and some students are't ready to put in that much work.

Does that sound correct to you?

5pants · 01-17-2005, 10:38 PM

Cato-

That is exactly what happens. Webster doesn't take a set amount...in fact this year they had one of their largest freshman classes...approx. 36. After this first semester they are now down to approx. 28 students. A typical graduation class is approx. 20 students. Some decide that they rather teach or go into other fields...others decide they rather try other conservatory programs....some have financial problems... and others aren't up to the workload, which I won't kid you, it is a huge load....Webster is looking for dedication and progress....they want to see the students applying what they are learning through movement, voice,etc. Some kids don't adapt well to the college scene....in this field you can't afford to start trying late in the game.

Does that answer your question?

SUE B

cato · 01-17-2005, 11:43 PM

5pants,

I think that says it. Thanks.

5pants · 02-03-2005, 02:36 PM

http://www.webster.edu/depts/finearts/theatre/

Ericsmom · 02-03-2005, 09:22 PM

Webster auditions:

I noticed on their website today that there is a difference in what they do at on-campus auditions (hold a workshop with improv., etc.) vs. unified auditions (where you submit a tape with singing). Based on this info., we will probably go for on-campus auditions if possible. The required tape is the same as Ithaca requires unless you are in Ithaca or NYC for auditions.

MTaussie · 02-21-2005, 08:59 PM

5pants,
I was wondering - if there is no dance audition at Webster is there a dance program? I looked for info on dance classes for MT majors and couldn't find anything. S is currently a junior and is looking at MT programs but he is an exceptionally strong dancer so we are looking at programs with (a) a strong dance program (b) the abilty for advanced dancers to take advanced classes and (c) sprung floors in the dance rooms. This last one may sound strange but it is very important for a dancers health - fewer chances of significant injury to knees, ankles and feet. I have been told that neither Syracuse nor BoCo have sprung floors so we have eliminated them from our list of potential schools. I'd appreciate any feedback you can give me.

5pants · 02-21-2005, 11:26 PM

MTaussie,

No, there is no dance audition at Webster. However, if one of your son's strong points is dance they will certainly allow him to show what he can do...provided your S requests to do so. My Ss were good at tap and were allowed to prove it. The dance program at Webster is excellent. Ss have told me that one of their MT classmates, who is exceptional in dance, finds the dance program challenging. All freshman typically start in Ballet I, but I know they will advance a student through placement.

Webster has brand new dance facilities, but I am not sure if the floors are sprung. I will ask my Ss and get back to you with an answer. I will post again ASAP.

SUE aka 5pants

MTaussie · 02-22-2005, 04:41 PM

5pants,
Thanks so much for the info on dance. I'm thinking that if they have brand-new facilities the floors will be sprung but I'd like to confirm this. Do you have to indicate you want to dance for the auditioners when you apply or do you simply tell them you'd like to dance when you get there? Do you know if they would let you do a short combination in a numbers of different subjects, e.g. tap, jazz, ballet? What dance subjects do your Ss do? Do they dance every day? Also did your Ss do their audition on-campus or off-campus? Any information would really help.

5pants · 02-25-2005, 07:58 PM

MTaussie and anyone else interested-

The dance floor at Webster is not sprung....floor is of appropriate grade for point however. I am not very well versed in dance so I hope this answers your question.

BTW, my Ss take Ballet 3 times per week, each a one hour session. Next year they will be able to add tap or another dance to their schedule.

My Ss auditioned on campus although many of their classmates did audition at unifieds...if I had to guess I think it's a 50-50 split.

SUE