Program Overview

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Scene Design

Overview

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Scene Design is a four-year undergraduate degree program offered by the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in scene design, preparing them for a career in the entertainment industry.

Curriculum

The BFA in Scene Design curriculum is divided into four years, each with a specific focus:

Year 1: Foundations

• Fundamentals of design
• Scenography
• Drafting
• Technical production
• Introduction to drawing
• Principles of drawing
• 3-D design

Year 2: Exploration

• Scene design seminar
• Rendering
• Vectorworks
• Visual history
• Figure drawing
• Crew management
• Theatre history

Year 3: Synthesis

• Scene design 1
• Scene design seminar
• Design electives
• Figure drawing

Year 4: Preparation

• Scene design 2
• Scene design seminar
• Design electives
• Professional practice
• Figure drawing

Program Details

• The program is offered at the campus in Webster Groves, Missouri.
• Almost every full-time undergraduate student at Webster University receives some sort of financial aid.
• The Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts awards annual scholarships designated specifically for theatre majors.
• There is no separate application process for scholarships.

Admissions

• To apply, complete the application and schedule an interview.
• Contact Dennis Bensie, Head of Recruitment for Production Programs, for more information.

Facilities and Partnerships

• The Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts has professional partnerships with the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, and The Muny.
• The conservatory shares its build and paint shops with The Rep and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.

Faculty

• The faculty members are working professionals and dedicated educators committed to nurturing their students' artistic growth.
• Learn more about the individual accomplishments of our faculty.

Alumni

• Our alums include Maggie Nelson (BFA in Scene Design, '22), whose post-graduation work includes serving as a charge artist at Sets to Go Entertainment Construction and a set decorator for the television series "Tiny Beautiful Things."

Theatre Scholarships

• The Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts awards annual scholarships designated specifically for theatre majors.
• In , the department awarded over $225,000 in scholarships to its students.
• Most of these awards are reserved for our third- and fourth-year students.
• Every year we also allot some scholarships to first-year students.
• There is no separate application process for scholarships.
• Please contact Andrew Laue, Associate Director of Fine Arts Admissions, for additional information.

Featured Alum

• Fallon Podrazik, BFA in Scene Design and Graphic Design, '22
• "I want to do stage designs that tell the stories and world of the characters. I want the audience to be inspired by the world around the characters, but I also want the set to highlight the struggles and triumphs throughout the play."