AMDA

Updated On: 2/16/11 at 06:39 PM

lol so is that why they accept so many? because they need the money?

AMDA isn't the best choice for your resume. It's not even a good choice. AMDA tends to be kids who didn't get in at the better schools. And they have a reputation for taking anyone who will pay.

It's sad, because 20 years ago it was a great school! But now, not so much.

That said, what's most important about the college/conservatory experience is that you are comfortable with where you choose to go. So if you think that AMDA is the place for you, then forget what everyone else thinks and go there.

so basically its a school for people who aren't good enough? What if they're using it as their ticket to new york? then go to something better. I'm really good, I just need to get away from michigan.. and I've read messages from two people who didn't get accepted.. so are they just THAT BAD?

I know kids who recently graduated who already got work in regional theaters after a few auditions. There are plenty of colleges with BFA programs that let a accept a large freshman class and then cut down for the same reason AMDA lets so many kids in in the first place. If you're good the training can only help.

As far as your audition, go in there showing your best, most professional self and you should do fine.

I have personally cast shows in NY and have worked with several casting directors and seeing AMDA on a resume is not necessarily a bad thing. You get out of the experience what you put into it, so some students are talented and some are not. And casting directors know that.

I am neither pro or con AMDA but what I do know is that if you are talented and you work hard, there are contacts to be made there and things to learn, as in any other college environment.

Good luck!

Dance is not a huge deal at AMDA...there's no dance part of the audition, but once you're accepted you have dance placements during orientation and then at the beginning of each semester.

I went there for a year and for me, it wasn't a great fit. There are some really good things about the program and some really weird/not so good things, but you get out what you put in. I worked with some really wonderful teachers who I loved, and I still study with the voice teacher I was assigned to first semester even though I haven't attended the school in almost 2 years. A lot of people who entered with me and who have now graduated (either last February or last June) are working in regional theaters or have other paying theater gigs.

It doesn't hurt you to audition. If you're auditioning in NY, current students or alums tend to run the auditions, so talk to them about the school and see what happens, or join AMDA groups on Facebook and read the comments...you'll see both good and bad there. There are lots of alums who are successful and working right now and lots who aren't, but it really is what you make of it.

I'm confused.. because they told me to prepare a solo piece (dance) and i will learn two contrasting (dance) pieces. So was that just a lie? The brochure has a lot of dance stuff. I'm really confused now.

yeah just dance, I was thinking about musical theatre.. but I just decided that I would focus more on dance. I kind of tired of waiting for my audition though... :)

I have no idea what the dance program is like there then, they started it after I left. Even with the integrated program though you still dance 4 times a week (tap, jazz, and ballet are split into levels and then you have theater dance with your whole group)...if you're interested in pursuing a musical theater career it'd probably be better to go for the integrated program. That's just my opinion though. :)

why was it such a good school back then, and such a bad school now?