AMDA or Marymount?

Posted: 3/31/07 at 6:12pm

thats the question, i've been accepted into Marymount's college(not the theater program yet...i hope) i have my audition on the 14th of April, my AMDA audition is tomorrow! I'm not sure which is a better school...help!!

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 6:33pm

I really don't know much about either, but alot of people here would probobly say Marymount.

[byorkman]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 7:18pm

AMDA or Marymount? HAHAHAHAHAHA........ That's not even a question! MARYMOUNT.

Including (if you go to AMDA) you don't even get a degree. Just college credit. And in my opinion it cost TOO MUCH MONEY to not even get a degree.

Marymount is my first choice as well.

I wish you all the best at your audition! Break-A-Leg

Updated On: 3/31/07 at 07:18 PM

[broadwaybelle]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 7:59pm

I completely disagree with byorkman, you choose the school that best fits you and AMDA has good training, sure you don't get a bfa but you can get one from New School University, these two schools work together. The bottom line is whatever school fits you the best. Don't make a decision based on other people's opinions, look up information about both schools, if you have any questions call the school. Also you'll get a feeling for the school when you audition for them.

[Broadway_Bound_Star]

Posted: 3/31/07 at 11:09pm

It really depends on you.

With AMDA if you don't get asked back for the 2nd year you might have some problems, and With Marymount I don't think they have a cut system with their MT minor. Both schools have top-notch training.

Good luck

[cathyhyatt]

Posted: 4/1/07 at 2:21am

are you kidding me? anyone can get into AMDA, seriously. they call it "Scamda" in the business because that's what it is; a scam. I swear everyone who goes there gets scholarships and even the most talentless people are accepted.

[broadwaybelle]

Posted: 4/1/07 at 10:07am

cathyhyatt, how do you know everyone gets accepted to AMDA? and some people are not invited back for the second year, if it was a horrible program like you say, then it wouldn't turn out as many successful graduates. think next time before you post

[cathyhyatt]

Posted: 4/1/07 at 11:25am

It's bound to turn out SOME successful graduates because they accept soooo many. It's not a very competitive program to get into. Yes, maybe saying EVERYONE gets in is a bit of an overstatement, but believe me I know more than a handful of people who got in that aren't all that talented. I mean yeah, it is what you take out of it and I'm sure many learn a lot there. And in every program, no matter how good, there are bound to be people whos talent is questionable. But why get your education at a program that's not that good and NOT even get a degree for it? that's pretty silly.

And please talk to anyone in this business who is established and knows what they're talking about (I'm not saying listen to me). Seriously though have you not heard people call it, SCAMDA? That's pretty surprising...

I have had numerous teachers that have all told me the same thing about the program because I too, at one time, wanted to study there. Only because it was a certificate program and being the uneducated person I was that only wanted to study theatre. Do YOURSELF a favor and get a degree!

[broadwaybelle]

Posted: 4/1/07 at 11:35am

I have talked to many people in the business, established people and they have taught there and say it's a really good program especially for transfers and people who are very dedicated.

Degrees don't matter in the performing arts, they don't care if you have a bfa or certificate or no degree at all. All they care about is talent. Plus if you go to AMDA you can get a degree afterwards if that's something you want to do

Many people who attend AMDA have alreaady graduated from top BFA performing arts conservatories

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/1/07 at 12:38pm

AMDA has had a lot of very reputable graduates who have gone on to lucrative Broadway and film careers, including (just to name a few) Tyne Daly, Chris Sieber, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Gretchen Mol et al. Marymount, as some have said, doesn't offer a major in Musical Theatre (if that's what you're going for); you would major in Theatre Arts with a Musical Theatre minor. However, Marymount does offer a BFA in Acting.

Like Broadwaybelle said, it's all about where you are the most comfortable. Visit the schools and decide for yourself.

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 4/1/07 at 6:40pm

" some people are not invited back for the second year.."

New flash. If you get kicked out of AMDA, you know you really have no talent.

Or..even less than what you had when you started.

Actually. This is quite a funny statment. AMDA kicking people out for "lack of talent" is like the pot calling the kettle black.

Updated On: 4/1/07 at 06:40 PM

[cathyhyatt]

Posted: 4/1/07 at 9:05pm

wow, I'm not saying get a degree because you need it to do theatre...you can be a high school drop out for all they care. what I'm saying is get a degree so you can have a LIFE...so that you can pay for ****in expensive apartment in nyc when you're going from audition to audition..jesus, let's be smart.

[gypsiedtokill]

Posted: 4/1/07 at 9:18pm

I have friends at both AMDA and Marymount and I myself have auditioned for both. My friend at AMDA's LA campus loves the school, loves the training and is very happy with her decision. My friend that went to Marymount left after one semester because he was so fed up with the program. I chose not to go to Marymount after visiting and deciding it was not the right place for me. It's a personal decision, and honestly, it doesn't matter where you go and whether you get a degree or not because no one in the industry gives a **** where you went to school. They only care that you're talented and/or right for a part. AMDA is great if you're like me and don't have the patience to deal with a 4 year university, and Marymount is good for the opposite reason, but it's a decision that you have to make on your own. Listening to other peoples' opinions about what school sucks, what school has a lacking talent pool, etc is not a helpful practice because they are just opinions. And opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one, and everyone else's stinks.

[withoutlove78]

Posted: 4/1/07 at 9:18pm

ugh... does AMDA really suck that much... i've gotten rejected from all the top schools that take like 15-20 kids.. and i really wanna study musical theatre as opposed to vocal performance which is what i'm doing right now. but if it's that terrible, then i don't know what to do.. bummer =(

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 4/1/07 at 10:02pm

Apparently AMDA is really geared towards the beginner. They'll take people who have never studied musical theatre before in their lives and don't know a thing. In some cases these people turn out to become decent working actors. AMDA might not be for you if you already know the ballet positions, and how to walk into an audition with confidence, and clearly state your name, and it might not be for you if you know how to count quarter notes in 4/4 time.

[lilprima2b]

Posted: 4/2/07 at 12:28am

I know someone who went to AMDA and he says it's a really intense program and talks about how after he graduated he was cast in shows with people who had graudated from, like, UCLA. However, the person in question is an enormous diva and is now back in the city he grew up in doing mediocre community theatre, so take that as you will... honestly, I would go with Marymount. At least then you're at a recognized, established college, which will help you a lot more if your acting career doesn't work out and you find yourself looking for a different job.