Conservatory of Theatre Arts

The Conservatory at Webster is a professional training program for acting, musical theatre, directing, theatre studies and dramaturgy, design, technical theatre and stage management. Located in St. Louis, the Conservatory has been training theatre students for the professional world for over half a century.

We select our students through auditions and theatre festivals nationwide. We also host auditions here on campus. All of our candidates for admission must complete the audition/portfolio review process to be considered.

One of the distinguishing elements of Webster's Conservatory is its integrated association with professional theatre companies, two of which are located on campus: The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Webster also enjoys a one of a kind association with St. Louis professional theatre organizations including, The Muny, Variety Theatre, Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, and Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre.

Dottie Marshall Englis
Chair
marshado@webster.edu

Award-Winning Alumni

Tony Award
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical winner 2005 (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), 2011 (Catch Me If You Can), Norbert Leo Butz
Best Choreography winner 2005 (La Cage aux Folles), 2013 (Kinky Boots), Jerry Mitchell
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical nominee 2002 (Thou Shalt Not), Norbert Leo Butz
Best Direction of a Musical nominee 2013 (Kinky Boots), Jerry Mitchell
Best Book of a Musical nominee 2009 ([title of show]), Hunter Bell
Best Choreography nominee 2001 (The Full Monty), 2003 (Hairspray), 2004 (Never Gonna Dance), 2005 (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Jerry Mitchell

Drama Desk Award
Outstanding Actor in a Musical winner 2005 (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), 2011 (Catch Me If You Can), Norbert Leo Butz
Outstanding Choreography winner 2005 (La Cage aux Folles), Jerry Mitchell
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical 2002 nominee (Thou Shalt Not), Norbert Leo Butz
Outstanding Actor in a Musical 2003 nominee (The Last Five Years), Norbert Leo Butz
Outstanding Actor in a Play 2003 nominee (Buicks), Norbert Leo Butz
Outstanding Choreography nominee 2001 (The Full Monty, The Rocky Horror Show), 2003 (Hairspray), 2004 (Never Gonna Dance), 2005 (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), 2007 (Legally Blonde), Jerry Mitchell
Outstanding Director of a Musical nominee 2007 (Legally Blonde), Jerry Mitchell

Obie Award
Special Citations winner 2006 ([title of show]), Hunter Bell

Helpmann Award (Australia)
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical winner 2017 (Aladdin), Michael James Scott

Academy Award
Best Actress in a Leading Role nominee 1982 (Only When I Laugh), 1980 (Chapter Two), 1978 (The Goodbye Girl), 1974 (Cinderella Liberty), Marsha Mason

Emmy Award
Best Visual Effects winner 2015 (SNL 40th Anniversary), Steven Pierce
Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design winner 2007, 2008, 2014: (Ellen), Jay Heiserman
Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design nominee 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 (Ellen), Jay Heiserman
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series nominee 1997 (Frasier), Marsha Mason

Golden Globe
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama winner 1974 (Cinderella Liberty), nominee 1980 (Promises in the Dark), Marsha Mason
Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical winner 1978 (The Goodbye Girl), Marsha Mason

Screen Actors Guild Award
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series nominee 2017, 2018 (Black-ish), Jenifer Lewis
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series nominee 1997, 1998 (Chicago Hope), Rocky Carroll

NAACP Image Award
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special nominee 2012 (Five), Jenifer Lewis
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series nominee 2010, 2013 (NCIS), Rocky Carroll
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series nominee 1999 (Chicago Hope), Rocky Carroll
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series nominee 1998 (Chicago Hope), Rocky Carroll
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture nominee 1997, (The Preacher's Wife), Jenifer Lewis
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture nominee 1995, (What's Love Got to Do With It), Jenifer Lewis