<p>I’ve been searching like crazy and talked to a lot of people but can’t seem to come to a consensus. While Roosevelt is in that great Chicago theater district, not many people know anything about them. Webster seems to have a great rep but it’s not in a great theatre town. But some say Roosevelt is the big up and comer but it was Webster that Richard Dreyfus and Michael York recently visited. (Going for acting not MT)</p>
<p>I kind of get the impression Webster is more of a “real school” while Roosevelt only gained that reputation recently. One of these two schools is in my backyard but that doesn’t affect my decision. However, it looks like those will be my two options and I really, really can’t put my finger on what is best. </p>
<p>I think it really boils down to what I already said. Roosevelt is good and in a theater town/district but Webster might have the better training and rep. Or am I totally wrong?</p>
<p>Don't forget Cherry Jones also just visited!!</p>
<p>Working directly with The Repretory Theatre of St. Louis is such a plus. We checked into Roosevelt when my Ss were going through this process and in our humble opinions, hands down, Webster appealed to us more than Roosevelt. Not only are there lots of theatre opportunites in St. Louis, but more and more film producers are using St. Louis during the summer for shoots.</p>
<p>Glad you have a choice!! I know which one I would take if I were you. ;)</p>
<p>Hello! I am a freshman at Webster's Conservatory this year, and though I have, of course, a bit of a bias, I can honestly say that Webster has an incredible training program. The progress I have made this year astounds me, and I know that there is so much more to come. What I think is truly telling of Webster's value as a school is watching the auditions at the beginning of each semester. The sophomores go first, followed by the juniors and finally the seniors. The progression of talent as the day goes on is clear. Each group's auditions are better than the last, which is saying something when you consider how well the Sophomores do. If you have any questions about Webster, I would be happy to answer them!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Working directly with The Repretory Theatre of St. Louis is such a plus.
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Now wait a minute. The Rep is independent of the school. There is no direct contact between the two. The Rep is an independent company based on Webster's campus.</p>
<p>Ahhhh, you didn't realize? The Rep is regularly casting students in their shows...working side by side with professional actors. Students also work back stage for crew duty. Great opportunity for students needing work study...pay is pretty decent and it's right there on campus.</p>
<p>The Rep has an OUTSTANDING reputation! Just won 18 of 23 Kevin Kline Awards just a couple weeks ago.</p>
<p>Good example of casting.....The Rep just finished casting 3 Webster students for their fall production of "The History Boys"...the other actors are from NYC!!</p>
<p>Both my sons were cast in the Rep's production of "Henry IV" last year. Perhaps they have it confused with freshmen conservatory students...they are not cast the first year....in any shows.</p>
<p>Here is the word from the theater department at Webster which is the same information given to me last year. The Rep is an independent theater organization that only rents the theater from Webster. Theater students are allowed to audition for The Rep and it is the only theater they are encouraged to audition for. However, it is no different than if they auditioned at any theater anywhere and Webster students are not given any special consideration.</p>
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Again, I am told this is not true. The theater department couldn't even tell me how many students get cast in plays or do any kind of work there.</p>
<p>Check that link 5PANTS provided. It's titled "Professional Companies on Campus" and explains that there is an association between the Conservatory and the two theatres. It is my understanding that The Rep utilizes the conservatory students on many (if not all) of their crews and regularly casts upperclass conservatory students in their shows.</p>
<p>5PANTS already mentioned that her sons were cast in a rep production last year and I can add that my (freshman) daughter crewed a rep show this semester which had a senior conservatory student as a cast member.</p>
<p>Perhaps you can e-mail the Dean of the Fine Arts College or one of the department chairs for more comprehensive answers to your questions. Look at the faculty listing under conservatory on the left side of the web page referred to above.</p>
<p>Quite truthfully you have me scratching my head as to why you wouldn't believe what is being posted? Forgive me, but you sound skeptical.</p>
<p>BiGismama offers a wonderful suggestion. Please email Peter....he would be more than happy to answer your questions. Let me know what he tells you!!</p>
<p>I thought I would join in this current discussion since it was hinted that it might be a good idea.<br>
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis was founded by Webster College in 1966. It was a major activity of the College until 1970 when it closed for a year for a reorganization and emerged as a separate not-for-profit entity that has a very integrated working relationship with (now) Webster University and The Rep.</p>
<p>This season, five of the twelve productions produced in The Rep's season had students in the cast. The actual opportunities are never guaranteed and are available pending the nature of the plays, the number of Equity contracts and the opportunity/need for young people in the cast. Each season varies and, as previously mentioned, the first production next season will utilize three students.</p>
<p>There is a 41 year relationship with the Conservatory and The Rep. It is the longest continuing partnership that I know about in the country. The overlapping opportunities are real and valid. The students do take advantage of those opportunities as they wish. It is (from a biased point of view) a healthy and positive relationship. The Artistic Director for The Rep is dedicated to the training of young artists and is a member of the Acting faculty. Real overlaps do exist.</p>
<p>I would recommend going to Webster's web page and contacting me should you have specific personal questions that I might answer.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Check that link 5PANTS provided. It's titled "Professional Companies on Campus" and explains that there is an association between the Conservatory and the two theatres.
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The link says, "Opportunities to work with the professionals at both the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and Opera Theatre of St. Louis make Webster a truly unique program." Opportunities are fine but the many of the same opportunities are offered to anyone who wants to audition at the Rep as some I know have done in the past.
[quote]
5PANTS already mentioned that her sons were cast in a rep production last year and I can add that my (freshman) daughter crewed a rep show this semester which had a senior conservatory student as a cast member.
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As has one young actor/friend I know has but he is no a Webster student.
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Quite truthfully you have me scratching my head as to why you wouldn't believe what is being posted?
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Because Webster University contradicts what is posted. I kinda believe what the Admissions office tells me. Especially when they say it twice in the course of a year.
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The Artistic Director for The Rep is dedicated to the training of young artists and is a member of the Acting faculty.
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So in what way does Mr. Woolf train Webster students and what classes does he teach? Does he teach these classes every semester and every year? Do all acting students get to attend his class?</p>
<p>You can see there are some contradictions here and I can't get them cleared up.</p>
<p>Wow, just had to put my 2 cents in here as I have been following this thread. If we were to take the stance that we should question in writing anything people write on this forum, we would be in sorry shape. To double check any info at one's discretion goes withouth saying of course. I also feel that sometimes between web site info, catalogues, school admission office & dept. people things get confusing. Especially then it is nice to get first hand feedback from "people actively involved in the program". </p>
<p>5pants - thanks for your input, Webster is one of the schools high on (jr) D's list.
plaidman - thanks for explaining the connection, as a bonus, coming directly from the horse's mouth :)</p>
<p>May I suggest, as 5pants did, to email me directly? I would be happy to answer some of your specific questions, but since they are relatively personal, I do not think this forum is the best place for further information.</p>
<p>However, to answer your question about the Artistic Director, he teaches the fourth year students each Fall and focuses on audition techniques and the profession. He also attends all general student auditions, all productions and participates, as appropriate, in faculty meetings. He also directs reasonably often for The Conservatory. He is a very active participant.</p>
<p>My email is <a href="mailto:sargenpe@webster.edu">sargenpe@webster.edu</a>. I would also note that the Admissions Office has very good general recruiters, but they do not have full comprehension of The Conservatory nor are all of the staff fully up to date on our activities. I would talk to the chair of the department or the head of the performance programs should you not wish to write to me. Also talk to those individuals specifically since all of us are in charge of the curriculum and training. This is where you will get the most accurate information. The Admissions Office deals with general information, not the kind of questions you are asking.</p>
<p>As someone who has spent many years in higher education administration, the rule is that you ALWAYS go by the school catalog and any subsequent addendum. </p>
<p>The catalog is legally binding (be sure to use the correct years) and is the what accreditation review committees use.</p>