BWW Blog: Acting For the Musical Theater Performer

In a business that focuses heavily on spectacle for its commercial success, it makes sense that musical theater programs across the country train students to simply kick high and sing loud. But what happens to those aspiring artists who want to delve deeper into the artform? Where do they go to train? How do they develop their skills? The answer is simple: The Conservatory of Theater Arts at Webster University

I'm a sophomore musical theater major, class of 2021, and can personally testify to the one-of-a-kind training Webster has to offer. As a sophomore, I've already taken classes in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater dance styles, yoga, voice technique, vocal production, piano, music theory, musical theater history, movement, mask work, contemporary realism acting, Shakespeare, Ibsen/Chekhov, music analysis, text analysis, etc. and I'm not even halfway through the curriculum.

So, what makes Webster's Musical Theater program different from all the others? Our emphasis on individuality, technique/process development, and storytelling.

I've seen, first hand, friends who have gone to "elite" training programs, but were pigeon holed into theatrical stereotypes based on who they were the first day of their freshmen year of college and for the rest of their training, were told to be exactly like everyone else in order to be "successful". Webster, on the other hand, believes all artists are unique and the things that make us different are the things that make us interesting. The Conservatory's curriculum is structured to encourage individuality by treating each student as valuable member of the arts community. Within the first week of school, every single one of my professors sought me out and met with me one-on-one to get to know me as a person and connect with me as a human being. At Webster, it's understood that everyone learns and grows differently, so everyone should be taught in a way that works for them. For me, this positive mindset has stimulated massive amounts of personal growth not just as an artist, but as a person. I've become confident in my individuality, which has allowed my classmates and I to foster a sense of ensemble and celebrate each other's successes instead of creating destructive competition.

So what? Is an extremely supportive program full of caring professors and students all Webster has to offer? Of course not. In tandem with their dedication to individuality, the Conservatory trains students to develop a personal process based on universal acting techniques that can be applied to any style of theater. There are some acting techniques and character development practices that I have come to live by, that don't seem to make a difference to my friends and vice versa. What's glorious about this set up is that I'm exposed to every possible tool and technique imaginable, which allows me to develop my own process and figure out what works best for me. Through the exploration of various acting masters such as Boleslawski, Stanislavski, Meisner, Hagen, and many more, in conjunction with training in basic skills such as concentration, imagination, awareness, and control, I'm given a metaphorical toolbelt to fill with any/all the tools needed to craft a character in any style of theater from any time period.

Is that all? Nope! At the heart of Webster's Conservatory is the need to tell stories. As basic of a concept as this is, it's shocking how many programs prioritize tricks like doing the splits over the fundamental reason anyone participates in theater: to tell a story. At Webster, the entire curriculum boils down to two basic questions: 1) What does the character need from the world around him/her? 2) What will the character do to get it? Everything taught at Webster is, in one way or another, tied to answering these two questions in the most truthful, dynamic, and engaging way.

As a Musical Theater major at Webster University's Conservatory of Theater Arts I've delved deeper into the artform of musical theater than I ever thought possible. I've learned that it's about more than flashing a smile and looking pretty. It's about telling a story through an individualized artistic approach that honors the artform as well as entertains an audience. It's more than just making money. It's about making art.