Emphasis of Training at Webster

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>(Trying to spread the questions by tracyvp)</p>

<p>We are starting to understand that most BFA Musical Theatre programs try very hard to train “triple threat” performers, but in the end, one of the three disciplines tends to emerge as slightly more prominent or emphasized than the others, and there is usually a second, then third.</p>

<p>For current Webster students (or parents, if you know), what would you say is the primary emphasis of your training at Webster?</p>

<p>Also, can you describe the type of training you get in each of the three disciplines? For example, in music, how much time and what sort of training in voice, theory, repertoire, piano, etc. Do you learn both “classical” MT styles as well as contemporary pop styles? When and how?</p>

<p>For acting, do you explore the different approaches, and in what depth? Do you train with the acting BFA’s or separately? Do you get a lot of straight acting training, or is most of the acting training in the context of “acting the song?”</p>

<p>In dance, can more advanced dancers take classes with the Dance majors? How much time is devoted to “specialty” dance like tap, partnering, hip hop, etc?</p>

<p>Additionally, since Acting majors and MT majors take a lot of classes together, can you explain the less obvious differences in training between the two? For example, are the strongest voice teachers paired with the MTs only? </p>

<p>Sometimes different students have different experiences, so it would be awesome to hear from several!!</p>

2

<p>Very good questions. Hopefully some students will reply. Being a parent, I can only reply in general terms so won’t waste your time by rambling when you obviously are looking for specifics. The one part I am confident in replying is the first part of your post related to the three discliplines. </p>

<p>Acting is emphasized strongly at Webster and the kids are generally well developed in this area. Vocal performance is also strongly emphasized for both the MT’s and Acting majors. Between Conservatory Faculty and the Vocal Performance Faculty from the Music school, instruction is very good. Dance is required at different levels including Musical Theatre dance styles, but not all of the students are dancers. Those who are, or wish to become stronger, take advantage of of advance training in the Dance major. </p>

<p>Again, hopefully more specifics will follow. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>My daughter is a senior acting major this year at Webster. She is also a musician and was tempted to switch into the MT program, with Lara’s encouragement, but in the end remained in the acting program.<br>
Webster’s primary focus is in acting. The MT majors do more in the area of voice, but even for them, acting is the main focus. MTs must also take other music courses, like theory and piano, and acting majors have a few more classes directly related to acting. Dance classes are available at all levels in all areas (ballet, jazz, tap), so those students who are dancers shouldn’t have a problem with getting a class at the level they need.
The MT and acting majors train together. I also know first hand that acting majors who want to take voice lessons, choose from the same teachers as the MT students. They can also take piano, music theory and any of the dance classes. The real challenge is getting all that to fit into your schedule!
Being a parent and not a student, I can’t really get into more detail about program and how the disciplines are taught, but I hope this info is helpful. Maybe a student will chime in and get more specific!</p>

4

When I attended Webster as a performance major, the emphasis was on tech. Almost everyone spent more of their offtime on crew assignment than anything involving performance - acting, singing, dance or otherwise.

But particulary on the song and dance…if you want training that exceeds the average community theatre, look elsewhere <3

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Ouch @haterade. Did you attend for four years and graduate? (just trying to assess your statement for breadth and accuracy.) If this is true I’m surprised and disappointed to hear it.

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As a Webco mom (graduated acting major and a WORKING ACTOR), I completely disagree with @haterade. Webster is an exceptional program. Yes, the focus is on acting, but great vocal and dance train also exists. Yes, there is a great technical theatre program, and the actors do have crew assignments, but that is a valuable addition to their performance training. Of course there are elements of every program that don’t work for people, but a training program is also very much what YOU make of it. If someone has that kind of comment, they definitely did not choose to make the most of the training and resources that Webster provides.