<p>Any compare and contrasts between Webster and Oklahoma City University would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I think the programs are very similar, the one thing that jumps out intitially is that OCU is very generous with talent and academic $$ and Webster has very little.</p>
<p>One thing to take into consideration is Webster’s policy of not allowing students to perform in Webster shows freshman year. </p>
<p>Last year at OCU there was freshman cast as Cherubino in their Marriage of Figaro, so OCU definitely wants its students to begin performing as soon as possible - and in fact, requires ALL MT (and VP) students to audition for EVERY production.</p>
<p>OCU is extremely generous with talent money, srw’s right!</p>
<p>Er - a small correction. I believe Webster’s policy is NO public performance whatsoever - not simply in Webster shows! I signed a form when I auditioned to prove my understanding of this policy.</p>
<p>My D had hoped to have to choose between these two schools as she actually received a HIGHER academic scholarship at Webster than she did at OCU. However, she was not artistically accepted at Webster. </p>
<p>A few differences we noted: Webster offers a BFA. OCU offers a BM.</p>
<pre><code> Webster is much more acting focused than OCU
when comparing curriculums.
Webster's MT program is considered a Conservatory with only 12 Gen Ed requirements. While OCU has a requirement of 43 Gen Ed classes.
OCU's dorms (the new dorm) are better for the same price.
</code></pre>
<p>(OCU you have your own private bedroom and share a bath with only one other student and you have a living room/kitchenette, too. Webster has a nice new dorm, but its still traditional that you share a room with one other student and share the bathroom with three other students).</p>
<p>Webster has a Senior Showcase in NYC and LA that all students participate in. OCU has one only in NYC that the students have to audition to be in. </p>
<p>Webster holds the Midwest Theatre Auditions on its campus which is convenient for Summer Stock opportunities. </p>
<p>Webster has two professional theatre companies on campus: The Repertory Theatre of St Louis and The Opera Theatre of St Louis.</p>
<p>Interesting tidbit: The head of the MT dept at Webster (Tony-award winning Lara Teeter) graduated from OCU studying vocal performance under Florence Birdwell who is still faculty at OCU!</p>
<p>This last comparison was very complete. Good job. My only additions are…</p>
<p>Webster offers significant grants and scholarship based on academics for four years (my D received over 19K) and then the students are offered, depending on the work they are doing, talent scholarships in the junior and senior years. From what I was told by Webster, the purpose of this is to insure that only the students who will remain for the entire program are considered for the talent scholarships. Many schools informed my D and I that once money is offered to a student, it typically cannot be reoffered in the same year to someone else so they try to be very selective when offering. In regards to students leaving a program, I know that one left Webster at the end of fall semester already. Evidently, this is not uncommon as students will decide if the workload is too much, or that perhaps this isn’t the road they want to take after all. Conservatories are work intensive without a doubt.</p>
<p>One other option regarding money is that the conservatory students are allowed workstudy (I think that’s what it’s called) in the theatre as ushers for the St. Louis Repertory, which is great because they get to see shows for free and while the show is performing, they can study. My daughter gets as many hours as she wants. They are very generous.</p>
<p>I do have a former student at OCU and she is very happy so it’s a personal decision once again.</p>
<p>Georgeanne- I signed that same form at my audition for Webster and then asked students about it and I believe it stated that Freshman are not allowed to perform their first year at Webster, but I don’t believe it means outside of Webster. They said you really will not have time your first year to do shows outside. Also, the reason they do not let students perform their first year is because of how demanding the first year conservatory schedule is, that they want to make sure the students can handle their academic workload first and realize how they will have to prioritize their time in the following years especially when being in conservatory 9-5 each day and then dealing with rehearsals and personal life (i.e. going to the gym or exercise in general, any outside hobbies, homework, etc)</p>
<p>One thing I heard about Webster in my audition was that Jerry Mitchell tries to come by at least once a year to give master classes and really has a passion for helping the students there, since he was an alumni. I heard that Hunter Bell comes there quite often, too, as well as other notable alumni and affiliates :)</p>
<p>Thanks for clearing that up, Bird7887! I totally understand the reasoning behind it - it seems pretty smart, but some schools (like OCU!) take a different approach. I think I like that one better. :P</p>