Suggestions From People Related To AMDA...

[bwaydan]

Posted: 4/21/08 at 3:30pm

So I really want to go to AMDA in New York this Fall, and I've read some of the messages about it. Some good and some bad, but most of the people commenting have no affiliation with AMDA whatsoever...so...I was hoping some people could respond to this some info...good or bad (preferably good) about the school. My audition is May 4th. Please if you're going to comment, I'd rather you were either alumni, a current student, or had a close friend-relative that went there. Thanks!
Updated On: 4/21/08 at 03:30 PM

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 4/21/08 at 4:29pm

my question is... why?

you shouldn't have any problem getting in. anyone can.

the program is poorly structured, it's two years, and it's a certificate program. At least it was when my ex-boyfriend attended AMDA.

stay far far away!

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 4/21/08 at 4:53pm

Search. There are tons of threads on this.

[bwaydan]

Posted: 4/21/08 at 10:26pm

Bump

[Just_John]

Posted: 4/21/08 at 11:07pm

I'm starting there in June. I wasn't planning on going there but I visited it a few weeks back and everyone we talk to there seemed to really like it. And yes, it's still a two year certificate program but you have the option of transferring to THE NEW SCHOOL or the LA campus of AMDA and you can get your BFA that way.

[bwaydan]

Posted: 4/21/08 at 11:10pm

are you doing the bfa? if so, how are you paying for it? are your parents super rich or will you have a lot of student loans or do you have scholarships?

[Just_John]

Posted: 4/21/08 at 11:29pm

I have no idea what I'm going to do. I'm going to be starting in the summer just because it's cheaper and then they give you more money through financial aid and they will be more generous with scholarships. If I get a job right after the 2 year program I'm sure I'll get sidetracked for a while with working on the BFA. But it's just good to know you have the option.

[kbarrett07]

Posted: 8/27/08 at 12:10am

dont let people scare you about amda. i am a current student so im not just pulling crap out of my ass like the rest of these people. amda is a great school if your dedicated. and no not anyone can get in. the great thing about amda is your working with real professionals. and the dorms arent that bad. no matter where you live in new york its going to be small unless your super rich. if you have any questions and want real answers feel free to ask. dont talk to people who havent been there because they have no clue what they are talking about. you can email me if you like

[it'sjustshowbiz]

Posted: 8/27/08 at 12:44am

I take it they don't teach proper grammar and punctuation there.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 8/27/08 at 12:56am

Burn.

[dramadude]

Posted: 8/27/08 at 10:27am

Yes, in fact anyone can get into AMDA and no, you do not automatically have the option of finishing your degree at the New School. I know numerous people who completed the "program" at AMDA, and were not granted admission to the New School. I for one know first hand, as well as my peers that AMDA is a rip-off and should be shut down. For multiple semesters I was in a class with multiple students who were not only tone deaf, but had two left feet. These poor people were under the impression and assumption that AMDA would help them, but in all actuality, the school did nothing more than hold them back multiple semesters, take their money, then not allow them to graduate.

AMDA is nothing more than Acting 101 and a half-assed attempt at making someone not talented look like they have some idea of what they're doing. The positive aspects to AMDA are that maybe every one in ten teachers (who actually care about their job and students) have actually worked on Broadway, as well as the AMDA library, which surpasses a sheet music database of Lincoln Center and other institutions alike. You would be much better off either going to a four year school, then moving to New York and taking theatre classes.

The dance program is a waste of time. I think myself and my peers actually knew less about dance when we left.

STAY AWAY FROM AMDA AT ALL COSTS! They will take your money, and the majority of professionals will laugh at the fact that you completed this program

[Bdwy24]

Posted: 8/28/08 at 2:13pm

I recently sat through auditions in NYC and one after another AMDA students auditioned. None of them were good. The problem with AMDA is the teachers don't care. While they might be professionals in the business as soon as they get a job they're out of there. I have not talked to any students about the program, I just know from sitting through auditions in NYC and hearing what other people say, you're better off getting your training somewhere else.

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 8/28/08 at 3:32pm

AMDA is only good if you put in the effort to make it good, the only people who are successful that come out of AMDA are people that worked really really hard and took dance classes at other places and worked on their craft outside of school.

You're better going to a 4 year program somewhere. You should try Syracuse they have an excellent theater program, as well as a local school in your area. You'll be paying the same price for a BA as you would for a two year certificate from AMDA, and you'll be getting a good education in the process.

Don't go to AMDA just because you think it's good. Do some research on schools in your area and then move to NYC when you're done there. They call it SCAM-DA for a reason!

Updated On: 8/28/08 at 03:32 PM

[IAMmyownMUSICAL]

Posted: 8/28/08 at 4:34pm

Obviously none of these people are aware of the fact that this school is actually a 4 year BFA now...interesting.

Maybe YOU guys should have your facts straight.

[dramadude]

Posted: 8/28/08 at 5:13pm

<- is well aware of AMDA now offering a "4 year BFA degree" due to the school's overall stupidity in sending out mailings intended for new students to alumni repeatedly. It's nice to know that after wasting two years of my life with my peers that I have the option of moving to Los Angeles to "exclusively" complete my degree, since this program is not offered at the NYC campus. Hmmm... If only NYC wasn't the center of the universe for musical theatre.

[atlsuperstar]

Posted: 8/28/08 at 6:44pm

People will always have bad things to say about AMDA! Because they do let anyone in seems like. But..there are alot of programs that let anyone in. I am a graduate of AMDA and I have been working ever since I graduated! I learned alot! If you go into AMDA with a little something they have very good teachers to make you ready to audition. Just check our alumni section on the website for yourself and you will see they produce good talent.

Its what you get out of it! There are alot of bad people there..but there are really good people there as well! And we are in almost every broadway show right now. I loved AMDA and I would not be on broadway right now if it wasn't for the tools that they gave me! My dancing stepped up, my vocals, and acting! Its what you get out of the school! I also booked a national tour right out of it and no I am not one of the few that this happens to! Alot of people in my class are working constantly as we speak! So go in with a clear mind and ready to learn its alot of work! But if this is truly your passion you will know it after the first week! LOL! Good Luck!

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 8/28/08 at 7:32pm

Rhiannon on the Legally Blonde reality show attended AMDA.

That's all that I know about it. Had no idea it was a scam, but it makes sense to me.

[IAMmyownMUSICAL]

Posted: 8/28/08 at 8:38pm

Oh sweetie, the entire LB competition was fixed and scripted, and we all know that by now.

Rhiannon was TOLD to be bad, as were others...come on now

The girl actually does have a lot of talent.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 8/28/08 at 9:27pm

Yeah, sorry, I'm not going to believe that Rhiannon's actually an amazing singer until I hear it.

She was a brilliant actress, though.

But, really, it just made sense to me because of the program name and website. It reminded me a lot of Argosy or what have you.

Updated On: 8/28/08 at 09:27 PM

[oohshizz146]

Posted: 8/28/08 at 9:42pm

I don't know much, but I heard directors wont want you as much when they hear you are from AMDA...but idk really =/
Good luck!

[AKDPerformer]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 12:03am

Better yet, if you have the money and the will to do it get your training individually (choose your own acting classes/dance classes/voice lessons etc.) to attend and pay for. Also get a job (possibly theatre related like an internship/dance asst. or some type of ushering/merch job in the theater).

Everyone is different. Everybody responds to specific types of training in a variety of ways. This is just a suggestion for people when college/conservatory is not an option or college has been tried and didn't fit. I did everything on my own my second year in the city and got SO much more out of it than I ever did at AMDA. Which I attended for a year. There are good and bad things about the school, but what college doesn't have problems?? (with maybe the exception of CCM) You can't believe what anyone says by word of mouth. Unless that person has gone to the school themself to experience it for what it is take whatever anyone says who hasn't been there with a grain of salt. PM me if you wanna know anything specific and I will tell you the truth.

I do agree though that the program is what you make of it and you do get out what you put in as a performer at the institution. The faculty there is great, but the administration (housing people/financial people/behind the scenes people etc.) suck.

And speaking of word of mouth, I was talking to a friend of mine the other day who informed me that he attended the NYU grad showcase for their MT program and mentioned that a majority of the performers in it were horrible.

Updated On: 8/29/08 at 12:03 AM

[elphiesmagic]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 12:11am

I don't know anything about AMDA except the put-downs I've read here. But the fact is, a large percentage of their alumni WORK. That becomes obvious the more shows you go to, the more bios you read - regionally and in NYC.

A well-respected MT agent told me that the reason for that is that the AMDA students have a fantastic work ethic and really focus on auditioning above everything else once they graduate. Whatever the reason, the proof is in the numbers.

[AKDPerformer]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 12:27am

"I don't know much, but I heard directors wont want you as much when they hear you are from AMDA...but idk really =/
Good luck!"

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=972554&boardname=student&dt=1&boardid=14

At the end of the day, its about who you are and what your personally capable of/have the potential to do and your abilities as a performer.

Updated On: 8/29/08 at 12:27 AM

[IAMmyownMUSICAL]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 5:13am

Elphies: Exactly, you can find AMDA in a ton of bios. Now how many other schools besides AMDA, and NYU do we really read about that often? Not many, if at all.

AKD: THANK YOU! Exactly what I was going to say, but you beat me to it.

[AKDPerformer]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 10:08pm

Your welcome :)

Glad to know someone appreciates my ramblings :)