AMDA
AMDA
pulsedancer
Chorus Member Joined: 2/16/11
#1AMDA
Posted: 2/16/11 at 5:00pm
I have an audition for AMDA in 10 days and I want to know what to expect. I've been reading a lot about the school, some good stuff, and some bad stuff. I read that they're starting to accept less students, and I want to know is that true. Do they just accept anyone? No SCAMDA stuff please. I'm nervous, someone please help me
k
pulsedancer
Chorus Member Joined: 2/16/11
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#2AMDsentA
Posted: 2/16/11 at 7:07pm
Highly unlikely they are accepting fewer students, they have bills to pay. Perhaps they are accepting a smaller PERCENTAGE of applicants.
As far as how good or bad? I hear things on both ends of the spectrum. You really have to judge for yourself: how you feel about the school, what your goals are, etc.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
pulsedancer
Chorus Member Joined: 2/16/11
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#4AMDsentA
Posted: 2/16/11 at 9:48pmI didn't say that in a disparaging way....but it is only logical: less "students" = less money. And yes, they (as does everyone) are concerned with their bottom line.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Patti4President
Understudy Joined: 2/8/11
#5AMDA
Posted: 2/16/11 at 10:07pm
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.
dexter3
Featured Actor Joined: 9/13/08
#6AMDA
Posted: 2/16/11 at 11:01pmSorry to get on the negative-train, but I've heard not-so-great things from both students as well as the teachers there. One of my good friends is on staff and says that there's a very small percentage of students with legitimate talent. Probably because they end up getting the students who didn't get into the better schools in the NYC area.
pulsedancer
Chorus Member Joined: 2/16/11
#7AMDA
Posted: 2/17/11 at 2:56pmso 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?
ahhrealmonsters
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/10
#8AMDA
Posted: 2/17/11 at 3:05pmI think more people are choosing to go to colleges/universities where they get a degree. I don't know much about AMDA, but the 2 people I know who went there are adequately talented and have not "made it". (Aka they have other jobs are aren't getting cast in anything.)
Boq101
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/20/06
#9AMDA
Posted: 2/17/11 at 3:52pmI 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.
pulsedancer
Chorus Member Joined: 2/16/11
ahhrealmonsters
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/10
Ghandi722
Swing Joined: 8/6/06
#13AMDA
Posted: 2/17/11 at 5:15pm
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!
pulsedancer
Chorus Member Joined: 2/16/11
#14AMDA
Posted: 2/17/11 at 5:20pmthat was a very helpful comment, I am starting to feel a little better about my audition. Hopefully I'll get in. Yes I would say that I am.. but I'm not the best. My dance teacher tells me that I should make it into a career. But have I been studying dance since I was 2? NO.
#15AMDA
Posted: 2/17/11 at 6:02pm
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.
pulsedancer
Chorus Member Joined: 2/16/11
#18AMDA
Posted: 2/17/11 at 7:06pm
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (of Modern Family and Spelling Bee) is also an alum, as are Marissa Jaret Winokur and Marissa Perry (of Hairspray). If you go to their website they probably have a list of alums who are currently or were recently on Broadway/Off-Broadway/national tours.
Are you applying to the dance program? I auditioned for the integrated program (musical theater) and I prepared a song and a monologue.
pulsedancer
Chorus Member Joined: 2/16/11
My boyfriend may be leaving me in September if he gets in. 
#21AMDA
Posted: 2/17/11 at 9:20pmI 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. :)
pulsedancer
Chorus Member Joined: 2/16/11
pulsedancer
Chorus Member Joined: 2/16/11
temms
Broadway Star Joined: 7/21/04
#24AMDA
Posted: 2/18/11 at 8:39am
I work for multiple NY casting directors. AMDA is not a black mark. The people in the industry who have the biggest problem with the school are the people posting here on this thread. Believe it or not, in the real world people are not nearly as snobbish about where you trained as some would have you believe.
If you have the goods, you'll get the job. There are good people who got good training at AMDA and work all the time and there are Michigan grads who never work. There are some great teachers at AMDA and for a lot of people, it's a good way to get to NYC and get some training.
They accept a lot of people, but it means there are more scholarship opportunities for the truly talented. I've known people without much money or parental support who got good packages to go to AMDA and it worked out very well for them. Once you're auditioning, no one cares where you went to school if you rock.
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