Directing (BA)

This program is offered by the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts/Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts and is only available at the St. Louis main campus.

Program Description

Webster University’s Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts trains our future colleagues to become visionaries, creators, and leaders in the next generation of theatre professionals.

Webster University's directing program is designed to educate student directors in the craft of stage direction, focusing on play analysis, visual storytelling, team collaboration and creative thinking. Directing students at Webster are exposed to a wide variety of coursework both in the department and across the campus. Classes in theatre include Voice, Movement and Acting; Visual History, Fundamentals of Design and Lighting; History of Theatre, Stage Management and Directing. In the senior year of study, students spend the fall semester abroad.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of their training, students in the Sargent Conservatory will be able to:

• Describe the cultural and historical context for theatrical practice.
• Hone strong analytical, research, organizational, and technical skills for the creation and/or performance of theatre.
• Apply skills (outcome # 2) to the production and performance of theatre encompassing a variety of styles with creativity and competence.
• Model positive and effective leadership, clear communication, and collaboration to work well with others.
• Assess power relationships and biases within the arts and society, past and present, and work to promote equity and justice through theatre via classwork and production.

Special Requirements

Only courses completed with a grade of C- or above will count toward fulfilling the specific requirements of the major.

Auditions/interviews are required for all students planning to major in theatre at Webster University. Auditions/interviews are held each year during the spring semester for entrance into the following fall session. 

Degree Requirements

For information on the general requirements for a degree, see Baccalaureate Degree Requirements under the Academic Policies and Information section of this catalog.

• 69 required credit hours
• Applicable University Global Citizenship Program hours
• Electives

Required Courses

• CONS 1010, CONS 1020, CONS 2010, CONS 2020, CONS 3010, CONS 3020, CONS 4020 (Conservatory or approved equivalent) (46 hours)
• THEA 3710, THEA 3720, THEA 4710, THEA 4720 Directing I-IV (8 hours)
• ENGL 4150 Shakespeare (3 hours)
• THEA 2030 History of Theatre: Greeks to Elizabethan (3 hours)
• THEA 2040 History of Theatre: Restoration to 1915 (3 hours)
• THEA 2050 History of Theatre: 1915 to Present (3 hours)
• THEA 4630 Independent Study (3 hours)