To Schedule, Please Go to:
Audition/Interview/Portfolio Review Request Form

You must submit your application to the university prior to requesting an audition/interview/portfolio review. You will log into your application account, and then use the drop-down menu to choose the Conservatory form to complete. Auditions and interviews are scheduled through the Office of Admission. Patti Baygents, Audition Coordinator at 314-246-4216 and 1-800-753-6765, or email at pbaygents80@webster.edu

On-Campus Performance Auditions

Acting, Directing, Musical Theatre

On-Campus Audition Dates for 2022

• Friday, Jan. 21
• Saturday, Jan. 22
• Friday, Feb. 4
• Saturday, Feb. 5
• Friday, Feb. 18

Virtual Auditions for Acting, Musical Theatre, and Directing 2022

Saturday, January 15 – this is intended for students that are unable to attend an on-campus or Unified audition.

Acting, Directing, Musical Theatre Auditions for the Performance Programs can only be scheduled on the designated dates. Individual appointments are not available. The audition coordinator will follow up with you once the form has been received.

Students seeking an audition for Acting, Directing or Musical Theatre: The first step is to apply to Webster University. Application may be made through our website at webster.edu/apply, or you may apply through Common App or the COALITION App.

Following submission of the application, you will receive an email with the link to submit your Conservatory Audition Request Form and $30 fee. You will be contacted by Patti Baygents, Audition Coordinator for the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts, with next step information regarding how to schedule a date and time for your review or interview.

If you have any questions regarding the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts or the audition or review process, please contact Patti Baygents, Audition Coordinator, at pbaygents80@webster.edu or 314-246-4216.

On-Campus Auditions/Interviews Procedures

On-campus auditions can be helpful since the prospective student is able to spend the day on campus not only auditioning, but also meeting with faculty and students, and touring the campus facilities. For acting, directing, and musical theatre auditions, check-in commences promptly at 8:30 a.m. and auditions will conclude by early afternoon.

Students should come dressed in comfortable clothing and be prepared for a brief group warm-up session. Following the warm-up session, students have time to change before their audition and will be asked to perform the audition pieces on an individual basis. Students also may be asked to do various exercises and improvisations during their audition and should be prepared to discuss their work on the audition pieces.

Auditioning students have the option to visit classes as schedules permit, except on Saturday. They are encouraged to view a performance while on campus. It is strongly advised that a student coming from some distance arrive the night before. Auditioning students will need to make their own arrangements for an overnight stay. Information on recommended hotels can be found at webster.edu/visit, under Accommodations in St. Louis.

Off-Campus Auditions/Interviews Procedures

Off-campus auditions and interviews are held in locations throughout the United States in conjunction with the Unified Auditions to accommodate those students who are not able to audition on campus.

Off-Campus Auditions/Interviews for Performance Programs 2022

New York, New York: Unified Audition Tour
› Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022
› Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022
› Monday, Jan. 31, 2022

Students auditioning in New York should be aware that an accompanist is provided. It is therefore unnecessary to bring a sound-playing device to the New York audition. Please have your sheet music prepared for the accompanist. Please see the requirements above.

Chicago, Illinois: Unified Audition Tour
› Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022
› Monday, Feb. 7, 2022
› Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022
› Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022
› Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022

Students auditioning in Chicago should be aware that an accompanist is provided. It is therefore unnecessary to bring a sound-playing device to the Chicago audition. Please have your sheet music prepared for the accompanist. Please see the requirements above.

Note: Design, Tech and Stage Management reviews are also scheduled in Chicago

Anaheim, California: Unified Audition Tour
› Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022
› Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022

Locations to meet Webster University Faculty
We are hopeful that all of the following will be in person and should know soon which locations we will be attending: Northeast Texas, Greater Houston, and Greater San Antonio Auditions; the International Thespians Festival and the Missouri, Washington, and Kansas Thespian Festivals. Auditions at these sites for Musical Theatre, Acting, and Directing are considered a “meet and greet” for the student to learn what Webster University has to offer, and for the faculty to get to know the students auditioning. Interviews for Design/Tech and Stage Management at these sites are considered full evaluations.

Important Notes
Questions regarding auditions and portfolio reviews should be directed to the Office of Admission at 314-246-4216. Students must be academically accepted to Webster University before audition results for the Conservatory are released.

Theatre Studies & Dramaturgy
The Theatre Studies and Dramaturgy Program is currently undergoing curriculum review and not accepting any new applications.

On-Campus Design, Tech, Stage Management Interviews 2022

Production Programs/Design, Tech, Stage Management

Off-campus auditions and interviews for the Design Tech programs are held in locations throughout the United States to accommodate those students who are not able to audition on campus. Visit Audition/Interview/Portfolio Review Request Form. The audition coordinator will follow-up with you once the form has been received with next steps information.

Students seeking a portfolio review and/or interview for Costume Construction, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scene Design, Scene Painting, Sound Design, Stage Management, Technical Direction, or Wig and Makeup Design: the first step for Production majors is to apply to Webster University. Application may be made either through our website at webster.edu/apply or you may apply through Common App or the COALITION App.

Following submission of the application, you will receive an email with the link to submit your Conservatory Audition Request Form and $30 fee. You will be contacted by Patti Baygents, Audition Coordinator for the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts, with next step information regarding how to get scheduled for a date and time for your review or interview.

If you have any questions regarding the Sargent Conservatory for Theatre Arts or the interview or review process, please contact Patti Baygents, Audition Coordinator, at pbaygents80@webster.edu or 314-246-4216.

Step 1: Production program applicants should apply to Webster University through Webster.edu or Common App. Students seeking a portfolio review and/or interview for Costume Construction, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scene Design, Scene Painting, Sound Design, Stage Management, Technical Direction, or Wig and Makeup Design are not required to upload to Acceptd. However, if students do submit through Acceptd, their materials will be reviewed by faculty.

Step 2: After completing your application, you will receive an email with a link to submit your Audition Request Form and $30 fee. You will be contacted by Patti Baygents, Audition Coordinator for the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts, to schedule a date and time for your review or interview.

Note: Questions regarding auditions and portfolio reviews should be directed to Patti Baygents at the Office of Admission at 314-246-4216. Students must apply and be academically accepted to Webster University before audition results for the Conservatory are released.

Monologues

As a prospective acting major, you must prepare two monologues of not more than three minutes total. The selections should be of a contrasting nature. Choose characters close to yourself in age from scripts written after 1930. Monologues must be memorized and fully prepared.

Do not plan a long and involved introduction to your scene. Simply announce the name of the play and character and begin. Do not select Shakespeare or classical pieces. Do not do extreme characterizations of body, voice, or speech to alter your own age, physical abilities, or mental health. The characters should be as natural, authentic, and close to you in real life as you can imagine. Do not use a dialect or accent. Use your own speech, even if the character would normally speak with an accent that is different from yours.

Props and Costumes
The fewer the props and costumes the better. You can use a chair if you need it, and you should keep the number of props and costume pieces down to one or two at the most.

Clothing
For on-campus auditions: Please come dressed in comfortable clothes for a movement exercise at the beginning of the auditions. You will have ample time to change into the clothes you want to wear for your audition.

Please dress in clothing comfortable enough to allow you to do your best work, while still maintaining a professional look. No gym clothes, nothing too tight or revealing, and no heels above 3 inches tall.

Contact Patti Baygents, pbaygents80@webster.edu or 314-246-4216

Monologues and Songs
As a prospective musical theatre major, you must prepare two monologues of not more than three minutes total. The selections should be of a contrasting nature. Choose characters close to yourself in age from scripts written after 1930. Monologues must be memorized and fully prepared.

Do not plan a long and involved introduction to your scene. Simply announce the name of the play and character and begin. Do not select Shakespeare or classical pieces. Do not do extreme characterizations of body, voice, or speech to alter your own age, physical abilities, or mental health. The characters should be as natural, authentic, and close to you in real life as you can imagine. Do not use a dialect or accent. Use your own speech, even if the character would normally speak with an accent that is different from yours.

In addition, you must present two songs of contrasting nature of not more than 32 measures each to provide substantial information on vocal quality and range. One of the songs must be taken from the "Golden Era" genre that spans from 1943 to 1964.

Singing
For on-campus, Chicago and New York auditions: An accompanist will be provided for your audition. Please be sure to bring your sheet music, clearly marked, for two songs of contrasting nature of not more than 32 measures each.

For Anaheim auditions: Please have your piano accompaniment recorded and bring a playback device to play two songs of contrasting nature of not more than 32 measures each.

Clothing
For on-campus auditions: Please come dressed in comfortable clothes for a movement exercise at the beginning of the auditions. You will have ample time to change into the clothes you want to wear for your audition.

Please dress in clothing comfortable enough to allow you to do your best work, while still maintaining a professional look. No gym clothes, nothing too tight or revealing, and no heels above 3 inches tall.

Dance
We may request you to send a video of ballet, jazz and/or contemporary dance that is no longer than one minute in length. An additional one minute dance video of hip-hop and/or tap will be optional. Please do not send us dance videos unless we have requested them.

Contact Patti Baygents, pbaygents80@webster.edu or 314-246-4216

Monologues

Two Contemporary Monologues. As a prospective directing major, you must prepare two monologues of not more than three minutes total. The selections should be of a contrasting nature. Choose characters close to yourself in age from scripts written after 1930. Monologues must be memorized and fully prepared.

Do not plan a long and involved introduction to your scene. Simply announce the name of the play and character and begin. Do not select Shakespeare or classical pieces. Do not do extreme characterizations of body, voice, or speech to alter your own age, physical abilities, or mental health. The characters should be as natural, authentic, and close to you in real life as you can imagine. Do not use a dialect or accent. Use your own speech, even if the character would normally speak with an accent that is different from yours. The monologues will be performed for a Webster faculty member. Additionally, directing majors will bring:

1. A Portfolio. Any theatre experiences should be represented. If you have directed a play or scene or assisted on a project, bring materials from that work (pictures, video, promptbook, program, etc). We also understand that students interested in the directing program might have little or no formal directing experience. For that reason, the portfolio might also include work in other arts such as acting, design, choreography, opera, singing, photography, video, film, painting, design or writing. Share your artistic interests.
2. Write an Essay. This is separate from the essay you wrote for admission to Webster University. Write a 750 to 1,000-word essay on ONE of the following topics. The following are suggestions for this essay:
   • Tell a compelling story from your life (or someone you know) and describe how you would bring it to the stage.
   • What surprises/inspires you most about your experiences with live performance and give an example of how you might create such a moment yourself?
   • Describe how you would go about sharing your passion for the theatre with children and give an example of a project you could direct to demonstrate that passion.

Contact Patti Baygents, pbaygents80@webster.edu or 314-246-4216

Portfolio

Applicants in any of the design or technical production areas must present a portfolio that showcases the variety and caliber of your work in the arts or theatre. Such a portfolio might include pieces from the following:

• Drawings, any subject and media
• Examples of work in color
• Drafting
• Prints
• 3-D projects of any type
• Actual theatrical design work, either for a production or a project
• Photographs of projects
• Evidence of work in carpentry, electronics, mechanics, scenic construction
• Sound files

Letters of recommendation from two persons familiar with your work should be included.

Interviews are scheduled individually to allow ample time to review the portfolio and discuss your experience and career goals. Friday mornings are preferred. Interviews may also be scheduled in New York and Chicago during the unified dates.

Contact Patti Baygents, pbaygents80@webster.edu or 314-246-4216

Portfolio

Applicants to the stage management program must present a portfolio that should include:

• A one-page resume that has references and contact information
• A curated sample of production work through all phases of production (prep, rehearsals, tech, previews, performances). Please compile this in a way makes sense to you – this can be by production or by category, as long as it is organized and clearly laid out.
• Your materials should showcase your best work and give an idea of the scope of shows you have worked on. It is okay to pull a cast list from one production, a calendar from another, blocking sheets from a scene in class, etc.
• Please remove any personal information such as cast email addresses and phone numbers. Please do not include any forms (such as emergency forms) that have personal or sensitive information.
• Photos of productions or of yourself in action are great!
• Letters of recommendation are fine to include but are not required.

Your portfolio is not a complete presentation of all of your work to date; rather it is like a “greatest hits” of the productions that you’ve worked on. Choose work that exemplifies who you are as an artist and work that you are excited to talk about.

Individual interviews typically take place on Thursdays between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Central Time. A 45-minute block will be scheduled to tell you about the program, ask you some questions, and give you an opportunity to present your portfolio and ask questions. Students are also requested that to be available from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays to observe the stage management seminar. Interviews may also be scheduled in New York and Chicago during the unified dates.

Contact Patti Baygents, pbaygents80@webster.edu or 314-246-4216