AADA

[bohemianqueen]

Posted: 3/11/08 at 8:04am

Hi!

I have posted this on the Student and Off-Topic Boards but also wanted to post this here in case there is someone who doesn't read the other boards that can help me!


A friend of a friend here in Oz is thinking about auditioning for AADA in New York but doesn't know a lot about it! I have given her family the website link, told her the difficulties living on the other side of the world (especially all of the costs) but they want to know from the point of view if a student what it's like there!

So if any of you go there, have been there or know ppl who have, can you give me a bit of a run down about student life there and opinions??

Thanks a bunch!

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 3/11/08 at 9:30am

I work right by it and see kids smoking outside all the time. All of them so tragically hip it hurts my eyes. I would tell your friend to do more research on acting schools and possibly look into one that has a good reputation for churning out top quality talent. Don't just go somewhere because it's in NYC.

I did a search and imagine that I found something


AADA review

Updated On: 3/11/08 at 09:30 AM

[bohemianqueen]

Posted: 3/11/08 at 10:24am

Thanks a bunch!

I have tried to outline this to them as well, also coming from Oz and going to study anywhere overseas is a lot harder, but nice to also have some feedback from ppl who have first hand knowledge. I think this girl who wants to go auditioned for them in Sydney last year and now has stars in her eyes without knowing the reality of t all but thanks again!

If anyone else reading this has anymore to add I would be grateful - the more I can give to her family the better!

oh and P.S. acrocksyo.....GO GEORGE!!

[it'sjustshowbiz]

Posted: 3/11/08 at 10:59pm

That review is from the six week summer program. You want to do research on the full time program if that is the one your friend is doing.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 3/11/08 at 11:02pm

I believe AMDA is better than AADA.

[Little-Lotte]

Posted: 3/11/08 at 11:43pm

bohemianqueen:

I got your message but felt I should post here in case any other people might want any knowledge or anything. From what I gathered from my short time there the school does turn out talent however it's no where near as prestigious as it used to be back in the early 20th century. As I said in the thread about the summer program people in my group were accepted to the full-time program. One of them is from the UK and she deferred her admission until so she could save up money however that never worked out so now she goes to an acting school in the UK.

Personally I don't think it's wise to go here as an international student unless you are really wealthy. You will have a student visa of course but you will have a hard time getting a work visa and so will have to have money saved up or wired to you all the time. I believe they tuition is $19000 a year which converted to AU isn't too bad but it's still a lot of money and doesn't include supplies, housing, food, etc. Also you're not allowed to audition for any projects while you're attending there so being in NYC is pointless if you want to start getting work/connections.

The two friends from my group that did attend have had very different experiences. The one was not invited back for the second year and the other was. The one not invited back had moved to NYC from another state and now he's working in a restaurant in the city to make ends meet. The one is still at AADA and seems to be enjoying it and doing well.

The cut system is very brutal they cut I believe at least half of the 1st year class and there's no way out of it, once you're cut, you're out! I've heard a wide variety of reasons for this ranging from they accept a way more 1st years than they'll know they'll have room for so that they can get a year of tuition to that the 2nd year class is basically the more attractive students that were picked from the 1st year. I don't know what is true and what is not true, these are all rumors, speculation and things I've heard about. However I do know that many of their more famous alumni never even graduated from the full time program. Most either went to night/Saturday courses, the summer program or were cut after the first year. Which leads to the question of what the school actually did for their careers.

I'm not trying to bad mouth the school at all. I had fun when I was there but I would never do the full time program. It's too much expense and time wasted in my opinion to continue there. I suggest looking into another university with an emphasis on acting if your friend wants to come to NYC. If your friend is still all about the two year conservatory than I suggest Circle in the Square Theatre School, it's much cheaper and has a great reputation in the biz. However you will not get a degree from here only a certificate.

Hope I've been of some help!


PS: AMDA seems to be the one with the worst reputation, though I think that they're starting to pull out of that with the success of their more recent graduates. AADA really relys heavily on it's golden age of Hollywood past. I mean any school will sound good if you said Grace Kelly attended there.
Updated On: 3/11/08 at 11:43 PM

[TomMonster]

Posted: 3/12/08 at 12:22am

I also believe AMDA is better.

It's more complete--in that it not only trains you in all aspects of performing arts--singing, acting, dancing, etc., it also prepares you for the "real" world of professional performing--the audition (the biz).

Of course, it's always about how you use the program offered.

Sometimes AMDA can over-qualify you...meaning, some casting directors know the "tricks" AMDA teaches and prejudice sometimes because of it.

But, that is also part of the ugly truth of the business of art!

Still, the people that come out of the AMDA program are much more prepared and ready for the real work that's out there. BTW: a current grad is now starring in IN THE HEIGHTS.

Also, AMDA is in a better part of town!

(TO BE FAIR: I'm not truly shilling for AMDA. I worked there back in 1982 until 1987 when the school was REALLY small. So things might have changed, but there are many AMDA grads working these days!!)

[TomMonster]

Posted: 3/12/08 at 12:52am

Sorry, just to add something about the "cut" system:

Both AADA and AMDA require you to re-audition for admission to the second year. When I worked at AMDA in the 80's you had to audition to be brought back for each semester!

Yeah, maybe money is a motive for this practice, but to be honest, it was and is devised to reflect the real world of "show business".

I know many performers who were cut from these schools and became very successful. They all have said the same to me: "Thank God, I got cut! It kicked me in the ass and woke me up!--- I was pissed at first but then said, 'I'll show you!' "

Some others who were cut have said to me: "Thank God, I got cut! I'm not cut out for this crap and you've saved me years of grief."

Both learn. That's the key.

It's a tough business. Worth being in NYC to try for it. Foreign or not, connections are still made.

Good luck!

[bohemianqueen]

Posted: 3/12/08 at 2:32am

Thank you all for your responses, I will definately pass this on the family. It's great to have varying opinions for them to look at from - a good overall picture, that you don't get from a website advertising the school, and there is a lot for them to consider with such a big move!

I really appreciate all your help!

[Amneris]

Posted: 3/12/08 at 8:07am

I know people who attended AADA and you don't have to reaudition for 2nd year. At the end of 1st year, they teachers basically tell you flat out if this is what you should be doing or not. Then they cast every student in plays they direct. You spend a few weeks rehearsing and based on your year there and your performance in the ending plays, that and (looks sadly) is how they base your 2nd year. Four of my friends told me one 33 year old girl got cut and she fought the school into placing her in 2nd year.... all my friends made it into the 3rd year company which is even more selective and only takes 15 students? tops.

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 3/12/08 at 12:44pm

I know a lot of people who went to AMDA and in some sense it is looked upon as a black mark on your resume, so they just put who they trained with. Go to a 4 year school and not a acting conservatory with a so-so reputation.

[Guillermo Ugarte]

Posted: 3/13/08 at 12:41pm

Second year at AADA is by invitation only. In other words you are cut after the first year if the staff does not feel you can make it. That being said you should realize that there are some very famous people who were not invited back.

If you cannot take the criticism and the cuts you do not belong in this business. I do not say this to sound cruel but the school you attend or even whether you attend a school at all is not as important as your dedication to the craft and to getting better and hanging in there until you can make a living.

Anyone who is considering going to London or New York to make a living in theater needs to know that they will have to work in other jobs and live on a shoe string and that a very small percentage of the people who want to act will actually make a living at their craft. That is also true of the TV and movie industry. This is not a career for the feint of heart or for those who cannot take rejection.

I know several people who have graduated from AADA and they are fine actors but I also know some people who attended the school and then went home to do something else for a living. In the end it is a combination of talent, luck and fate. You can learn something from every school if you apply yourself including the school of hard knocks. For my part I attended school for one day and decided it was not the path for me.