Suggestions From People Related To AMDA...

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

Search. There are tons of threads on this.

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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.

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.

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

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

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!

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

<- 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.

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.

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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.

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

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.

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

"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.

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

Your welcome :)

Glad to know someone appreciates my ramblings :)

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