<p>I want to major in musical theatre.
But I'm so confused on how the college thing works?</p>
<p>I want to go to AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy) in New York.. but I have some questions.</p>
<p>Do I need to go to a University too?
If so do I need to go before or after?
I don't know terminology. What do you call this school? Vocational? Trade? Specialty? What is it?
What are my chances of getting a job after I graduate?
How do I get scholarships for this type of school? Do I need ones that specifically apply to theatre? </p>
<p>Sorry for all the questions... but I don't know who else to ask without feeling stupid :/</p>
<p>Why do you want to go to AMDA? What is it about AMDA and what it offers that appeals to you?</p>
<p>I ask because knowing the answer to that question is a good jumping off point to answering your questions, including whether you need to go to university/college as well.</p>
<p>I like their Musical Theatre program. I want to pursue a career in Theatre Arts for the rest of my life.
I know a lot of people are saying it may not be the <em>best</em> school out there, but I feel that it’s the best match for me.</p>
<p>Jessikuh – I am a vocal coach and have students who have attended AMDA. Some were happy there, some were not. To briefly answer some of your questions: AMDA is a 2-year program, not a university. If you want a college degree, you should look elsewhere. And if you have graduated from a university program, you don’t need to attend AMDA’s 2-year program. I’ve heard that AMDA plans to offer a college degree, but I don’t know anything about that, or if it’s even available yet.</p>
<p>AMDA does offer scholarships to help with tuition. You apply for those when you apply to the school. I don’t believe that other scholarships or federal grants apply to AMDA tuition.</p>
<p>As far as your chances of getting a job – it’s a difficult profession no matter where you have attended school. Any employment you do get will be temporary – even Broadway shows don’t last forever! It’s impossible to predict your chances. However, at any given time, the great majority of actors are unemployed, or working at another job to make ends meet.</p>
<p>It sounds like you need to get a great deal more information before you make any decisions. This is a good place to do some research to learn about colleges in general --take some time to read through the different thread on this discussion group.</p>
<p>onstage - what was it that your students disliked about the program? I have heard such mixed reviews! I got this strange “too good to be true” feeling from all of their glossy brochures and their slick demonstrations at the open house (though I was in LA - I am sure NY is different). I have heard that the teacher turnover rate is high; also, a few directors have actually told me that the AMDA graduates they auditioned were very undertrained. </p>
<p>However, when I was at AMDA LA, I met some recent grads that were quite happy - most notably the girl who landed the lead in “Legally Blonde” after winning the reality TV show. The dance/singing workshops did look legit.</p>
<p>But then I met some students who had just finished the program - they said that it was impossible to get agents to go to their showcase…</p>
<p>I have my BA - that is why I am considering only 2 year programs. But I just don’t know what to think about this one…I am thinking PCPA Theaterfest in Santa Maria, CA or Circle in the Square in NY might be more solid options. Any advice?</p>
<p>MTDancer- I went to CITS last summer for their summer MT workshop. I absolutely loved their program and considered staying for their 2-year but decided I wanted to finish my degree first. If you have any questions about CITS feel free to PM me, I also have a few friends in the 2 year program currently that love it (they continued on after the summer workshop)</p>
<p>MTDancer: my students who were not happy with AMDA were experienced performers and felt that they weren’t learning anything new. I also have had students who liked AMDA, but on the whole they were those who had little or no previous training/experience.
I have heard that CITS is wonderful, and it has a very good reputation in the industry. I’m from the East Coast, so I’m not familiar with PCPA.</p>
<p>Daughter attended one of the college fairs for arts majors this year, and picked up AMDA’s glossy brochures. According to the rep at the table, there, AMDA is now offering a BFA program. (Think it is to start fall '09.) Don’t know anything more than “this is what the rep said, mom”.</p>
<p>The AMDA Bachelor of Fine Arts degree programs are offered at the Los Angeles campus. BFA degree programs are available in:</p>
<p>· Acting</p>
<p>· Musical Theatre</p>
<p>· Dance Theatre</p>
<p>· Performing Arts</p>
<p>As an incoming student seeking a BFA, you have two enrollment options:</p>
<p>► Enroll as a BFA Freshman at the Los Angeles campus and complete the entire program in Los Angeles. Want a New York experience? BFA students have the option of completing one semester of study at the New York Campus!</p>
<p>► Enroll as a Two-Year Conservatory student (Integrated, Studio or Dance) in either Los Angeles or New York City; complete the Conservatory certificate program and then return to AMDA as a Conservatory graduate to complete the Junior and Senior years of the BFA at the Los Angeles campus. Conservatory graduates will be awarded 60 credits towards the BFA degree.</p>
<p>I will be attending AMDA in NY this fall and will be getting my degree in music theatre in LA. The training at this school is at different levels basedon the students previous training, so to each person they could learn more or less depending on previous training. the teacher turn-over ir relevant because most of the professors are professional performers themselves so they have different people coming to teach. Many of the people who graduate from AMDA already have a leg in the business because it could be their teachers at one point are now directors or cordinaors and they know people. the last semester in your second year you are doing auditions during the day and class at night and you get the privelage to say i am graduationg from AMDA with a new wisdom of the business and the drive to do what it takes. I hope this helps some confussion about my drem school that i made it into:)</p>
<p>Coach C. Bailey Hanks did not attend AMDA nor did she complete her degree at CCU. She saw an opportunity and ran with it. We loved her, she has talent and I hope she continues to work and train. I trust she will do both.</p>
<p>I just saw “Broadway Rising Stars” in NYC – it is an auditioned showcase for graduating college MT students, and consisted of students from AMDA, NYU, CMU, CCM, Marymount, and New School. I know there have been some negative things posted on this forum about AMDA – so just wanted to say that the AMDA students more than held their own in this showcase. It just goes to show that talented students can thrive and be sucessful in many kinds of programs – BFA, BA, or 2-year programs like AMDA.</p>
<p>ok. im auditioning for AMDA May 15,2010. im very new to this and not to sure what to exspect. Can anyone give me a little info plz!!!
Heres some questions that i would like to know…
*For auditions do they look foward in to you being perfect or do they look for potential?
*How is the interview process?
*What do i wear for auditions?
*Which campus is a better school?
*If i filled out every thing for the NY campus can i change to attend the LA campus?
*How long does it take to find out if your excepted or not?
And if anyone else would like to tell me about auditions,that would be perfect!!</p>
<p>When I auditioned two years ago, It was pretty simple. Students were given a chance to practice their song before going in. The audition itself was painless. Do your monologue and then your song and then you’re done. The interview was very laid back. Some of the questions were things like why amda and I do remember her asking me the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do and who my hero was or something. I wouldn’t be too worried about this audition, nothing intense.</p>
<p>My daughter had the same experience, everyone had a practice run through of the song first. Then they were called in one by one for the song and monologue. They asked her to sing the end part of her song again trying it a different way, she did not feel like she did anything bad, so she just sang the end the other way. The interview was also laid back. Questions like, why AMDA? It does take a few hours though because you had to wait for everyone to audition before you could meet for the nformation meeting and the meeting answered most of our questions. My daughter auditioned for the new BFA program, 2 years in New York and 2 years in L.A. She wore a skirt and heels. She auditioned in early March and we are still waiting to hear.
Good Luck</p>
<p>My D auditioned in Februrary for the BFA MT in LA and was accepted about 3 weeks after her audition.</p>
<p>The audition was just as others have said. D had a chance to practice her song before auditioning and doing her monologue. We did have to wait for awhile as they auditioned all of the acting people first. The interview was pretty informal, then we did a tour of the housing for the campus.</p>
<p>Hey,
Just thought I’d let you know that I’m auditioning at AMDA on May 15th, 2010, too in NY. I have read from so many reviews now that the LA campus is better, but I’m not sure. I’m sort of in the same boat though. I filled out everything for the NYC campus, but still would like to be able to have the option to go to LA if I get into the program. What program are you applying for? If I don’t hear from you before the audition, all the best! I hope you get in…</p>