AMDA!!! what are your thoughts

[Here_I_Go_Again]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 6:32pm

i'm thinking of going there and i was wondering what your thoughts on the school was! please also state if you went there or just herd from a friend,
THanks

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 6:35pm

Student Board

[TomMonster]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 6:38pm

Student Board--but I used to work there 20+ years ago. The one thing I can say is AMDA students that survive the program do get work. They are trained how to audition and approach the profession as a business.

Like any school, it will be up to you to see what you get out of it! I saw some great talent come out of that school. I have no idea what shape the program is in now...

[Trish2]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 6:55pm

I must say, speaking from a person who knows many instructors who have worked there, that it has absolutley the lowest standards of any program i know of in nyc. It may have been "the" place 15 years ago, but by todays standards it pales in comparison to such schools as Playwrights Horizons, CAP 21, and even Marymount College.It has become very corporate in its administration and very little attention to a performerscomplete training and needs are addressed. Im not sure of your age but you may want to try the summer programs at CAP 21. They have them for high school students as well as pre-college levels. They are very versed in musical theatre, have some great faculty, and really turn out the students. Some of the recent grads and some of those who attended include: Michael Longoria ( Jersey Boys), Adam Jacobs (Les Mis), Michael Benjamin Washington and Rashad Naylor ( The Wiz, La Cage, and Hairspray) Dequina Moore ( Little Shop), Jennifer Dunne ( Chicago, Curtains) Meg Gillentine ( Fosse, Producers, Frogs) Kristen Bell ( Veronica Mars) Matthew Morrison ( Hairspray, Piazza, etc) and a slew of others. I would seriously consider anyplace but AMDA.

[otis33]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 7:00pm

Student board, probably - but, since I am not a student I never check that board. I doubt many non-students do. But the non-students may have advice to offer. So...

I actually have none to offer at the moment. I've heard good and bad about AMDA. I'll echo TomMonster's advice - I went to a big drama school. It was great for me, personally. I made the most of it. Wherever you decide to go, commit to it.

Good luck.

[Junior]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 8:56pm

I've heard rather iffy things about the NYC campus, but my best friend goes to AMDA LA and loves it. She says the work load is tremendous, but then again, you ARE getting a 4 year education in 2 years, so thats to be expected. I know the LA campus is more televison/ film oriented in their curriculum just because of it's location, and I imagine the NY campus is a bit more theatrically minded (don't know for sure, I'm just assuming), but she's tryed to talk me into transferring several times, so she'd definitely recommend it. And as one of the above posters said, if you make it through the program, you WILL get work...

[LollyNYC]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 10:47pm

I think if you are going in relatively early in your training you will find it useful and you will come out knowing a heck of a lot more and you will get work.

I went for a month, basically because I didn't want to pay that much money when I could be taking higher quality classes from dance schools and better voice teachers. Some of my teachers were great but they start out on a level that's pretty much beginner. There were people in my class who had NEVER done anything musical theater related before. I had been working professionally since I was nine, and pretty much steadily, so for me it seemed like a waste to be taking beginner classes that reiterated stuff I already knew. Instead I got a top voice teacher, took acting classes that catered to my weaker points (i.e. cold readings, scene study, whereas at AMDA you get one generic acting class if you are a musical theater student), and danced at various studios in the city where I was able to take more advanced dance classes. That's one thing that is severely lacking -- the dance program.

If you want to do a conservatory style program in NYC I've heard great things about Circle in the Square. If you are relatively new to musical theater and haven't had much training, AMDA will be good for you and you'll learn a lot and come out very professional. But if you've been professional and auditioning for quite some time it won't teach you anything you don't already know. Don't waste your money because it is EXPENSIVE (it isnt called SCAMDA for nothing...) and you can be spending that money on classes that suit YOUR needs instead of their generic classes.

I went to a 'normal' college for three months, in a non musical theater program, because my parents wouldn't pay for theater -- but I left after three months when I was contracted at a regional theater. I had heard mixed reviews about AMDA but decided to make up my own mind, and on a whim, I auditioned for the program, got in, and moved to NYC to attend all within the span of two months. It was too late to apply to any 'real' schools in NYC and I wanted to be there immediately. So for me, AMDA will always be how I got to NYC...but after a month I just felt like it wasn't for me and rather than waste money, I was able to get a pretty good amount back and live on my own and take my own classes.

Once again, I think it's the kind of program where you get what you put in. If you go in with a negative attitude, you won't do very well. If you go in optimistic, you will come out on top. I wasn't negative about the program but I'm glad I knew early on it wasn't for me. I just didn't want to be told how to walk into an audition and say my name when I had been doing just fine for years -- it's kind of like they want to strip you of what they know and start anew -- but if what you know has been getting you jobs, why change it? Go with what you know and take classes that are right for you and your current level.

[TabooWickedFan]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 10:49pm

My friend goes there and he absolutely loves it. But I have heard mix things about this school for a very long time, sorry to not be more of a help but maybe some people on the student board may help you a bit more.

[TheaterBoy7777]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:32pm

I am a current student at AMDA and am loving every second of it. Like many have said it is all what you want to get out of it and I fully believe that because you can go to AMDA work ad hard as possible and get work. Or you could not work at all and pass but not come out of the program any better. AMDA isnt for everyone some might prefer a 4 year college rather than having 2 intense year. I could talk for days so if you have any questions just PM me.

[mediakilled]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:33pm

i have fellow friends in the industry who like to call it 'SCAMDA'.
they went there...and they left early and did other programs.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 1:01am

I've always loved that "SCAMDA" phrase. Most of my friends who attended the school and came out with that opinion (mind you this was long after I worked there) are still bartending, waiting tables or other things.

When I worked there in the mid 80's each student had to audition to be invited back for each semester.

Although they paid for a year, they still had to prove themselves. Students got cut, with no refunds.

Sounds harsh, but not unlike the reality of the business. They signed a contract going in that it was a possibility to be cut.

The fun part for me was, most students who were cut from the program came back at some point to thank us.

Either they realized professional theatre was not for them, or our cutting them kicked their asses and they started to work and got jobs. Either way, it help focus them.

At the end of the first year you had to audition to be re-instated in the program. Same results. I've know some very successful actors who were cut and thanked me later, because it helped them focus on the work and were thankful that AMDA gave them the thick skin they would need to survive this crazy business.

When I worked in casting, it was always so clear which actors had been through the AMDA program. They always walked across the stage with confidence and could pronounce their names clearly and correctly and didn't need to fill in extra information. Their song choices were always appropriate and concise--to show the panel what they could offer to the project.

The professionalism of the AMDA grads (and also those who made it through part of the program) always perked up the ears and eyes of the producers and directors of any project they audition for.

I think the school is better for performers that have some experience and really want to focus on being a "triple threat" and want to know how to market themselves for work.

That's why AMDA students get jobs.

Of course, only a handful of any students are going to become "stars". AMDA doesn't breed "stars". They breed working actors.

Again, you make of it what you put in to it. The program is tough. Very tough. Like the business.

Are you ready?

[DramaQueen700]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 1:22am

i am currently attending the los angeles campus and i have heard form multiple people, Including the faculty, that the los angeles campus has a much stronger program. This is because the school is only five years old, and all of the best faculty from the new york campus, left to open the los angeles campus.

the faculty is made up of working actors (my musical theater teacher is Danny gurwin, of little women, full monty, forbidden broadway, etc...) and one of the ballet teachers left this year to play christine in a chorus line on broadway.

its a TOUGH program. more work than ive ever done in my life, and ive been in many different workshops and programs. it gives you what you put in, and slackers are definitely paying for their bad habits here.

i cant really say anything about the new york cam pus besides the fact that its 5 times as big, and the private voice program isnt as strong (so ive been told). ive heard there dance program is intese however...

i love it, and its the smartest thing ive ever done.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 2:05am

DramaQueen, I'm so glad to hear that the standards of work ethic are still implicit in the program.

The successful ones in the program always worked hard. And always got jobs.

I'm dying to see the LA campus. It's new and I imagine very much fun...and difficult.

Congrats! Let me know how it's going for you.

[LollyNYC]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 2:42am

Tom, I agree with some of what you are saying, especially about the professionalism part because it's true, AMDA does have the ability to mold people into that idea of a "professional actor", but I also think if you are already working steadily and successfully, why spend SO much money on a program that will just pull you back, wipe out what you know and start with a clean slate? Especially if you can't afford to waste it, why not just take classes that suit your needs?

Most people who I know who finished at AMDA are working regionally. It's rare when people make it further than regional productions, and if they do, its because of their own talent, not walking into an audition and saying their name clearly. Still, AMDA celebrates these few people and plasters their names on every brochure so they can say "LOOK! Someone on BROADWAY went here!"

I worked a lot as a child actor so for me it is as natural for me to go into an audition as it is to pee sitting down. Having to go through that again and learn how to have poise and say your name clearly seemed like steps backwards for me...you shouldn't need to LEARN how to walk in a room upright and say your name. If you can't do that, you shouldn't really be performing. While presentation and the way you walk in a room is a huge part of the audition, for me the clincher has always been the song, and readings. So I stand firm in saying that if you have already worked and "know the drill" and just want to train more on your voice, acting or dance skills you'd be better off not paying all of that money and find programs that cater to YOU and the areas YOU need to hone. But if you ARE just starting out and don't know what to expect when walking in front of casting directors, and don't have the audition experience, it's perfect. They should advertise it more as an audition training program because if anything, it really helps people know what to expect in auditions.

Their voice teachers were horrendous. Well, I shouldn't be vague, MY voice teacher was horrendous. She taught me how to breathe - but completely BACKWARDS from every other technique! That was what made me want to leave the program right there. I remember asking "I shouldn't be moving my shoulders up when I take a breath in..." and she said "No, you're supposed to do that." I can't offer opinions on the other teachers because I didn't have them, but oy, that was definitely a bad experience.

The dance program...my ballet teacher was EXCELLENT!! I absolutely LOVED ballet class because my teacher was so passionate and just an absolutely amazing dancer who taught really well. I'll say the same about my jazz teacher, who I continue taking classes with once in awhile at various studios in the city. But while the teachers are GREAT, this should give you an idea of what the PROGRAM is like -- I am not a dancer. I consider myself a singer-actor-dancer. However, I was in all top level dance classes. I was shocked and thought, wow, I must be really good!!! And then took higher level classes at BDC and was like, wow, I am SO far behind!!! I am, at BEST, intermediate levels in tap and theater jazz, maybe adv beginner in ballet, at BDC's level...so the fact that I was in all top levels at AMDA scared me, and really made me feel badly for the classically trained ballerinas I was in class with! My class was a mixture of people who were AMAZING dancers who DESERVED to be in the top level, and dancers who were 'too good' for the other levels but still light years behind the amazing dancers. Once you got past being able to pirouette without falling down, you were considered a 'dancer'. At least in my year. I remember lowest level dancers could barely walk without falling down, and the people who were middling were learning the five positions in ballet and were in the middle of the groups because they were either strong beginners (aka they weren't falling over like the poor first levels!), or poorly trained (aka years of dance but still just not good).

Acting...like I said, one generic acting class for musical theater and it was more about presence than actually picking up a script and acting it out. From what I remember, we were given pieces of scripts but our acting wasn't concentrated on...our projection and enunciation were. Again, since I only stayed the month (actually, six weeks, from mid-Oct until the last week of Nov, which is about half of your first semester), I'm sure it progressed, but for me, projection and enunciation is something you should already know how to do if you're an actor and shouldn't need to spend six weeks learning, which is why I reiterate that it's great for beginners...or if you want to throw everything you know away and start fresh, but also, like I said, if you're already getting work and suceeding as an actor, why would you want to spend $25,000 to throw away what you know?

As far as casting directors genuflecting before you if you have AMDA on your resume...I actually took a class where our resumes were gone over and at the time, I had just left AMDA but I had it on my resume under training, and my audition coach, one of NYC's better known casting people, said "You might want to take that off, some people tend to look down on it no matter how good you are." I've heard the same from other actors who went to the school, finished the program, and don't want the school associated with their name. Me...I don't care...I'm not going to lie and say I never went there. If someone at a casting table asks if I've been to school, I say "I attended AMDA for six weeks but it wasn't a good fit for me" and I've never lost out on a job because of that. I've said that and gotten jobs, and I've said that and NOT gotten jobs, but I blame that on my inability to dance as well as the other 50 people in the room who are all amazing trained dancers.

Also, I've heard the straight acting program is great, though, because you get to take multiple classes in acting, not just a basic course. I really think the musical theater program could do with more acting electives because acting is a thing that sometimes gets lost in musical theater with all the singing and dancing..... in the musical theater program there was also the, what I found unnecessary class of watching old Tony performances. It's good to know the history and it helps you find songs...but most people at AMDA are HUGE musical theater fans and know every song ever in a musical EVER and used that class as a time to nap before dance. I think in place of that, we should've had more acting classes.

OH - and I remember I was also the highest level sight reading class. THAT was the biggest joke. We had to take a test during orientation, where we had to write which note was which, and write out the rhythms of bars of music and other music tech stuff. I started playing the piano when I was five and the flute when I was nine. I took music tech classes in high school. At AMDA I was the equivalent to Beethoven. That class was about how to sight read rhythms...and there was a clapping system...where we would have to clap out the rhythms of songs. I always felt embarrassed in that class, like I was in kindergarten. That was probably the poorest program. Maybe with a music background I was more advanced than people who had sung from sheet music but never learned about notes or rhythm or anything...but still...it was embarrassing. I shudder to think at what a beginner sight reading class was like if the 'advanced' class was clapping quarter notes in 4/4 time!

Also remember, the school accepts pretty much anyone. My audition was totally last minute, I drove to NYC leaving my town at 3 am to get there in time and I memorized my monologue in the car on the way there. I was the least prepared I had EVER been for an audition, had about two hours of sleep in 36 hours and therefore NO voice, and I thought I was HORRIBLE. Probably one of my worst auditions. I didn't even think I'd get IN, and I cried on my car ride home - hahaha. Yet, I got in, and I got the biggest scholarship offered. There were people in my class who had never been involved in musical theater, or had never even SUNG in their entire LIFE! One boy KNEW he wasn't good and said how bad he was - because he had never done it! He decided to go there because he thought it would be fun to try it out. Someone told me 80% of applicants are accepted. I don't know how true this is, but it certainly seems true when there are people with absolutely no talent in a musical theater program.

But the GOOD news about this proves AMDA's ability to train - this kid who had never done anything musical or onstage in his LIFE before - made it through the entire program, AND I've seen him perform since then. He came out with a somewhat decent voice (I think vocally you either have it or you don't no matter how good a teacher you have), a GREAT dancer (VERY surprising because he was one of the kids who used to stumble over his own feet!!!) and with an immense stage presence. He also had a lot more self confidence. So while AMDA definitely was NOT right for me...I look at this kid and think, wow, they really DO have the ability to mold people into professional musical theater monkeys! So that's definitely a plus if you don't have the experience or training and want to start at the very beginning.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 3:27am

Lolly, you are so right!

If you are already comfortable working professionally, AMDA is NOT the place for you. It you want to learn about the dynamics of professional theater, it might be.

I have no idea what's going on nowadays with the program, but from your description it sounds very familiar.

When the school started, the "triple threat" was unheard of... Now, it's expected. You need to dance, sing and act. OK.

You learned how to dance. Of course, not up to the level of pro, but you can get through an audition. That, you took away from the program. You didn't need the other audition stuff.

Also you left the program before they get into the real stuff. The first semester is always about presenting yourself to the business end. Most students are surprised that this is a part of being a performer. You already knew that. That's great, and that's why they probably gave you part of your money back.

Whatever your talent, the real work starts after that. Like any class you start with the basics. At AMDA the basics are not always what the students think they need. Once again, I think, the program tries to weed out those who want to take a short-cut to stardom. (That comment was not intended for you!)

So many students arrive with stars in their eyes and can't believe that have to spend weeks learning how to pronounce their names. Those who finish the program, get it.

I worked in casting and the show is over before you open your mouth in an audition. As you walk across that stage/room/parking lot, whatever...the audition is over. They type you first. If you are allowed to speak, and cannot be clear and concise, it doesn't matter how brilliant you are as a performer, because the casting directors need to move on to the next person. (Of course, I can give you a million exceptions...!)

The remainder of the program addresses the "follow-through". Yeah, you get the job, can you cut it? The program gives you the tools to be able to pick up anything thrown at you. Whether it be acting, singing, or dance. (the triple threat!).

Granted, if you are already confident in these areas, this is NOT the place for you. Not the place to hone...

Things must have changed since my time on the staff. When I started there (and remember it was founded by Richard Burton's Dad!) there were only 30 graduating students. I watched the place grow to a few hundred.

Now, I can only imagine how much the atmosphere has changed. In my day, Barbara Cook used to rehearse and teach there, as well as Chita, Elaine Stritch. I used to write music for their reviews with Flaherty and Aherns (Steve was the accompanist then). Too many others to mention right now...it's late.

But, clearly, like me, whatever your experience was at AMDA, good or bad, you felt passionate about it.

It's what you do with what you need and the tools they can offer. That's why it worked better for you to move on, before you felt indifferent to it!

I wish you the best, 'cause you seem to have been touched by it!

[cudramacat]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:17am

There was a children's tour that came to my school a few months ago and the producer of it spoke to my class. He said that most of the people who auditioned from amda were not very good but then one of the guys on the tour graduated from there so I who knows but I would guess he was probably just an exception to the rule.

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 11:12am

A friend of mine taught voice there for a few years in the late 90's -and early 2000's. He said the standards had fallen off and very few students there were actually going to have careers. He left because he thought it was cruel and depressing.

[Acting is My LIFE]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 11:20am

OK. Here's what it comes down to.

Having grew up in LA I moved to NYC in 1995 to attend AMDA. The whole process from start to finish was challenging and intense. I too have been on the stage since I was a child, having performed in most theatre's in southern cali.
I was accepted to NYU and chose the cheaper, faster training. I wanted to get out there and start to audition as fast as possible.
AMDA as several peeps on here have said is what ever you put into it.
If you dont like a certain aspect of the training once you get there talk to your admissions counselor and get a change. They are totally willing to work with you if you have sincere concerns.
yes, its pricey. Yes, the schedule is really freekin hard. I couldnt even hold down a part time job until my 2nd year there. And yes, the housing REALLY blows. But if you have a strong desire to get a solid audition technique, and some triple threat training then AMDA is a great place for you.
Go into it with a super positive vibe and just trust the process.
Know that most actors would kill for the chance to have access to dancing, singing and acting lessons at the rate your taking them and take advantage of that.

I graduated in the spring of 1997 and have to say that 85% of the kids in my class are currently working on Broadway, or in TV and film. You just have to dedicate yourself to it, like anything in life.

Good luck.

[stella985]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 11:40am

I've been reading this thread and it's made me curious to know what schools in NY people WOULD reccomend? Maybe not a full time program, but what schools offer good classes that are full of people who are working actors and not just retired people or bored housewives looking for something to do?

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 11:48am

i have heard wondeful things about the musical theater programs at hartt as well as syracuse.