LAST post on AMDA, I'm sorry!!

Posted: 6/24/07 at 12:18am

OK, I know this tends to fire people up, but there hasn't been a good AMDA debate in a few years, and I've heard from a lot of people (including a few casting agents) that AMDA's reputation is really starting to improve. They are accepting less and less students in an attempt to get back to their glory days. Now, I'm sorry for starting a final battle, but I absolutely loved the school and am entering in the fall.

Final thoughts on AMDA? Particularly from former and current students? All good or bad thoughts. (Please, no "SCAMDA SCAMDA SCAMDA, I have no valid argument" stuff, just legitimite reasons. And don't just write, "Search engine", because i have searched it, but there isn't anything current.)

Final thoughts on AMDA, GO!!!!

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 12:21am

Ehm, the people I know who have gone have not had a good experience (but that's like..2 people)..the directors I know generally do not take away for coming from AMDA, but aren't really for it...and...have fun, and hopefully for you it does turn out better. Marissa graduated from there, right?


(Just noticed she was in Moesha today.)

But yeah..AMDA...well..it's AMDA *shrugs*

Posted: 6/24/07 at 12:25am

Yeah she did, actually I was just watching Fever Pitch a few hours ago and I believe that that was her in there too.

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 12:26am

Oh yeah!!

I love that movie, btw.

Posted: 6/24/07 at 12:29am

lol me too :)

[GClef2]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 12:36am

A close friend of mine recently graduated. Her name is Megan Rozak and she has been on tour with wonderful town for close to a year. This summer she is directing a musical theater camp in the Buffalo, New York area and was also asked to play a leading role in the Theatre Barn's Production of Johnny Guitar.

She has a beautiful voice, a wonderful presence and is an amazing actress. Though she was awesome in highschool, AMDA really helped her develope, especially vocally.

She has nothing but WONDERFUL things to say about AMDA. And to add, she is still just as humble as she was four years ago.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 1:04am

I have a teacher at Julliard who was talking to me about a lot of the people he sees in auditions, and he says he always feels awful when people who've gone to AMDA come into the room because all the people behind the table know just how much of the bad tricks and habits taught there they would have to untrain before they could actually get the student to just do what needs to be done to act.

He basically said it's a really unfortunate place because they really are only teaching these kids tricks that may work for them for certain things but really harm them in the long run as far as improving one's craft.

Posted: 6/24/07 at 1:10am

thank you for your input, broadwaygirl :). I definitely want to hear all sides of the AMDA argument. I wonder why in the world people at AMDA would be taught bad habits, if the teachers are working professionals. That just seems so weird to me!

Thanks for the input so far :)

Posted: 6/24/07 at 1:16am

i just wanted to clarify, if that sounded sarcastic, it wasn't at all. i seriously want all input. ok, i'm going to stop being a post-freak. lol

[allvocal]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 2:15am

Here is the deal on AMDA.. as I see it. If you go right after high school.. its not so great... if you have gone to college.. or gone to do professional theatre somewhere.. and then go.. it helps you more.

I went there.. after already going to college.. and working as a professional actor in Chicago and Los Angeles for years.

Not that I'm old or anything. I wanted to move to NYC but I didn't know anyone and I wanted to have something to go to instead of just showing up.

They do have "set" things that they like to teach.. but I'm not sure what you guys were talking about "tricks"

I got a lot of attention for the teaches.. as I pretty much already knew what I was doing..

I got my equity card and two off-broadway shows because of teachers and piano players that I met there...

Bottom line.. if you're good.. you'll work... if you're not.. you wont.

It was good for me.. that being said.. It isn't on my resume.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 3:38am

I didn't think Marissa Jaret Winokur actually graduated... like many of AMDA's other famous alumni.

[Need2dance77]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 3:43am

I graduated 3 years ago from Amda and I went on to a European Tour, then a 1st national as a principle and now am on Broadway were I understudy 3 lead roles. Great program and they have a fantastic Audtion based system. But it all depends on what you put into it. They accept alot of people but only 10% walk away with the goods and the tools for success.

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 10:23am

I really don't know much about AMDA, but I was at an audition about a month ago, and it was one of those auditions where everyone else auditioning sees everyones audition. (That's a wierd sentence) Anyway, I watching these people thinking to myself that no one knows how to give a good audition. Some people were talented but they lacked the confidence and poise. Finally one girl came up, head held high, stated her name clearly, smiled gave a good audition, and thanked the panal. The auditors asked where she went to school and she said AMDA. So if they don't teach anything else, they definatly teach you how to give a good audition.

[blackisthenewpink]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 10:42am

I agree with Need2dance77. Its a great program for anyone looking for a very intense crash course into theatre performance. The problem is, its only intense if you are actually doing the work, the homework, and rehearsing. You get out what you put in! I'm a graduate, and I've worked, and I'm now Equity. And I've been asked in auditions by the panel about the school, and later on the callbacks come. So I actually think its reputation is improving...

They do accept a lot, A LOT, of people. But trust me, the weak ones leave the program by the end of second semester...by the time you graduate, you will be surrounded by a very talented bunch, with great potential.

and yeah, you spend an entire 5 weeks your last semester only focusing on mastering audition technique.
Updated On: 6/24/07 at 10:42 AM

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 11:00am

I think one of the biggest obstacles going to AMDA is having to deal with the negative reputation it has in the theatre community. Regardless of how talented you are, people are going to have that rep (that the training isn't good) stuck in their heads when they know that you attended AMDA. This business is tough enough as it is without having to deal with a real or imagined issue like this when auditioning. I wouldn't recommend AMDA to anyone who has ANY other option, as a result.

Are there talented kids at AMDA? Sure, just like there are at every theatre program across the country. There will always be SOME talented kids. The question is, would it be better for their training, and for their future, if they attended another school. And the answer is, in most cases, yes. AMDA should, and this is only my opinion, be a last resort for kids just graduating from high school. If your academics aren't good enough to get you into a true college program, then maybe a two year deal like AMDA is your only choice. If that's the case, then I'd recommend City in the Square or Neighborhood Playhouse or even AADA, before AMDA.

In my experience, and the kids I know and have met who have gone to AMDA, most who come straight from high school are from small towns, or from the mid-west. They want to come to the Big Apple and so, they 'settle' for AMDA. The biggest complaints I hear about AMDA from students are: that they admit way too many people, that it's too expensive for what you get, that the facilities are lacking, the dorms are hideous, (more than usual)drug use.

No one I know who actually graduated from AMDA and is currently working, includes it in their bio.

[junkyard]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 11:16am

most people involved in casting really don't give a hoot about where you received your training if in their opinion you can get the job done......most negative reps about AMDA and other programs come from the wannabe types that sit around starbucks and other hangouts moaning about the business and how miserable it has treated them........how better trained they are than the actors that get the jobs.......everyone knows the type......people get a life......do you really think any casting director really cares about the 100 teachers that you have listed on your resume in order to fill the back of your pic...

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 11:20am

"No one I know who actually graduated from AMDA and is currently working, includes it in their bio."

I can't think of anyone off the top of my head, but I've seen Broadway actors include AMDA in their Playbill bios.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 12:16pm

Millie, I'm sure there are but, as I said, "no one I know", meaning exactly that, people that I know!

Posted: 6/24/07 at 2:50pm

i thought that marissa DID graduate, because i thought i remembered her saying something about it in an interview (but i may be wrong).

Thank you everyone for your opinions. It seems that the general opinion of AMDA has gone up from what it used to and it also remains that, "if you work hard, you will get a lot out of it."

Any other thoughts?

[TheatreDiva612]

Posted: 6/24/07 at 3:02pm

Let me start off by giving a little bit of my history. I went to a performing arts school of some sort including graduating from the North Carolina School of the Arts (GO PICKLES!), until third semester of my freshman year of college at NCSA. I decided I did not want to do classical and wanted to follow my dreams of doing musical theatre. So. I auditioned (and got accepted) at some colleges for musical theatre to transfer, but ultimately decided on AMDA for the location. NYC obviously is the place you want to be if you want to pursue a career in musical theatre. We have had orientation all this weekend. So far, I have been EXTREMELY impressed by all of the faculty and administration. Everything has been very organized and very well put together. The students I have seen do their audition song or monologue have all been great. There are always people who need more work, but you will find that at every school, and that's why we are all there. I will keep this updated though as I start classes tomorrow.

Posted: 6/25/07 at 7:16pm

theaterdiva, that's great! Keep me posted on how your classes are, and I'll be seeing you in the fall!!

[atlsuperstar]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 1:40pm

I have many friends who have graduated from AMDA...two of them are actually in Color Purple with me. The school's only problem is that they let anyone into the school. That in no way takes away from some of the amazing teachers that work there. I feel like if you go in with something you WILL leave better than you were before. I mean just look at the alumni: (and these are just my friends so its no telling who else has graduated from there) Jesse Tyler(Spelling Bee), Kenita Miller(Color Purple), Moeisha Mcgill(Rent), Brandi Massey(Wicked), Soara Joye-Ross(Les Miz), Sean Samuels(Tarzan), Tyrick Jones(Hairspray)...and I am sure that the list goes on.

I myself went to CCM and there were a couple of people there as well that everyone wondered how they got in...but its always what YOU take from the program. AMDA is a good school( but they have got to do something about getting a meal plan..now that is just on some other stuff) GOOD LUCK! and go in with a open mind! You are going there to better your craft and that's all you should worry about!

[TheaterBoy7777]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 3:11pm

Well I am a current 4th semester (aka last semester) and I have had a wonderful experience. Yes there are some not so good people still there but there are plenty of very talented great people. The teachers are fantastic and I have felt I have gotten my moneys worth out of the school. I really feel that they have the best library ever and it is worth the tuition alone. It really depends on how the students take what is handed to them the teachers throw the stuff you need at you and some students decide not to take it and still graduate (aka bad AMDA image). Those who take whats givin to them get a great education.

[Bway2323]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 5:59pm

I graduated from AMDA... 3 1/2 years ago now. Since then I spent two years on a National Tour, and am about to start another. So I'm obviously pretty grateful for what I got out of the program.

It is a flawed program, as in the talent pool encompasses a huge range of people who are great, to people who are pretty terrible. One thing of controversy between students is the fact that they separate everyone pretty much by talent. Therefore not making the very good people have to be in class with crappy ones. But they put at least 2-3 good and bad people in every group so no one can really contest this fact. They'll let people in the program who can't sing a note if they're a fierce dancer, or very good looking, etc. But I think that's great, at least for the dancers, because it's (musical theatre) a medium with a lot more work available to them and they can work on those other skills they need to get those jobs.

It's definitely what you put into it. It's so quick though. 2 years, (or actually a year and a half if you don't take a break between semesters) is too fast if you really need to grow. That's one thing I didn't like... I would have liked 2 more years of just having class everyday. Oh well. I got a job that started the week after graduation thanks to a teacher who recommended me to a friend for a show. I went right in to final callbacks and got the job! So it's a good school for connections, because even if the teachers aren't all 'working in theatre' today, they live in New York and their friends are directing shows.



Updated On: 6/26/07 at 05:59 PM

Posted: 6/28/07 at 4:37pm

thank you everyone for your opinions, they are very much appreciated :)