AMDA nowadays

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>Hey everyone!</p>

<p>I was looking back on some topics from the board on AMDA. The newest I could find was 2010 so I was wondering, can anyone comment on the standard of AMDA nowadays? I'm hopefully attending college in the States in Fall 2014 and AMDA is one school that caught my eye but it seems to be pretty polarizing in terms of student opinions. Despite these, I've recognised a few alumni such as Kyle Taylor Parker (currently Kinky Boots), Cassie Levy, Krystal Joy Brown (Leap Of Faith, upcoming: Big Fish). Can anyone offer a relatively updated opinion?</p>

<p>Jay :)</p>

2

<p>One reason people aren’t all that enthusiastic about AMDA is that they tend to take almost everyone. I personally don’t know anyone who has been rejected from there and a few people who went. One dropped after a year. A very talented person who completed the program said it was the kind of place where if you were very self-motivated you could learn but it was a challenge. Also, it’s not really a college and this CC so…</p>

3

<p>I know someone who graduated a few years back a really liked her time there. She did some regional work for about a year and the last 2 years has been doing the cruise line circuit!</p>

<p>Another just finished her first semester at AMDA and loves it. She was definitely looking for a training program and not a college/university. They don’t put on shows but have showcases instead. Also their 4th semester they can start auditioning in NYC.</p>

4

<p>Hi Jay,</p>

<p>I just started my third semester at AMDA for the Integrated (Musical Theater) program, so I can give you some general information.</p>

<p>I chose AMDA because I knew that I wanted to perform, and I wanted an intensive setting. I am currently in the Conservatory program in NY (2 year program), so right now, all of the courses I am taking are all performance courses. However, after finishing the two year program, I can transfer to their LA campus or the New School in NYC (which I’m currently leaning toward) to get my BFA in Musical Theater.</p>

<p>About the school and program itself…it’s definitely a different setting than most colleges where you can earn a Theater Degree. It is only a four semester program, so you would be learning what others might be learning in four years. That being said, the courses are very rigorous, and you have to put a lot of time outside of class in to keep up. I apologize for this sounding extremely clich</p>

5

<p>I like that there is some discussion (updated) about AMDA. When we were looking for schools, AMDA was on the list because of location (NYC). We visited and bought breakfast for a colleague of my D’s voice coach who works at AMDA to get further details. As a parent - I was kind of worried about AMDA. It is not accredited, so you cannot transfer credits to another school if you decide to move on. The lack of accreditation could impact the ability to get loans as well (according to a friend). Having said that, I was highly impressed with our tour and the info from the vocal teacher contact we had. It’s not for everyone, but my D kept it on her list as sort of a “backup” (yes, a lot get in - but not everyone - we know kids who got turned down). If NYC is a big “must have” on your list, consider it. Go tour if you can to get a feel for it. The comments from Courtney above very much reflect the comments from students we talked to there. Finally, there is thread somewhere on CC that lists the number of graduates coming from various programs who get work. I have to say, I was impressed with the numbers out of AMDA. I think many end up as ensemble - but hey - that’s work!</p>

6

<p>And as far as the concern about loans-the student i know in there second semester did secure student loans to attend this year.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for your help everyone! :)</p>

8

<p>Hey Jay!</p>

<p>I’m currently a 7th semester BFA musical theatre student in AMDA LA, and I can say whole heartedly that AMDA definitely provides an extremely stable foundation for anyone who knows that performing is his or her passion. As a BFA student, one is required to take general education classes and here at AMDA, but those classes are slightly different than most colleges. All those classes are all geared towards performing. For example, in English, I took playwriting and screenwriting; for science, my friends took kinetic anatomy to learn how the body works on stage. </p>

<p>The coursework for a BFA student is formatted differently than a conservatory student’s coursework because instead of a four-semester program, it’s expanded into an eight-semester program. And here in Los Angeles, we put on BFA plays and musicals that only BFA students can audition for. But like Courtney said, you get out what you put in. And when you do or don’t, our teachers notice it, but it only affects you. It’s a professional classroom setting and you get the opportunity to learn the professionalism of this industry.</p>

<p>From a more personal standpoint, AMDA has definitely changed my life as a performer and I appreciate all that I’m being taught. AMDA helps you develop a very driven mindset that helps you move forward in this industry and life in general. If someone were to ask me if they should go to AMDA, I would say yes because of how AMDA prepares you for the real world, you’ll definitely be ready.</p>

<p>I hope you consider coming to AMDA! Let me know if you have anymore questions.</p>

9

<p>Having some friends who ended up being accepted and transferring to AMDA, I am absolutely dubious of their legitimacy as a “serious” and reliable school. I’ll be glad to admit I have never set foot there, or even applied but only because of my bad feeling intuition.</p>

10

<p>The problem with AMDA may have nothing to do with the quality of their training or how many working actors they are producing. I am unsure how AMDA is selling their BFA in Musical Theatre when they are NOT accredited by any of the regionally recognized (gold standard) accrediting agencies for higher education (although their website says they are “in cooperation” with them in the process of accreditation). It might be a good fit for some (my son has a friend who is attending there and likes it)…but as of now, your credits are NOT transferable to any other recognized institution of higher learning in the United States. Caveat emptor.</p>

11

<p>This is what you need to know about AMDA: AMDA is ONLY accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre. Why is that important? Because it means that your credits are NOT transferable to most schools throughout the nation except a very, very few. AMDA will no doubt respond to this post with a list of the schools that will accept their degrees and credits. Remember, I said MOST schools. </p>

<p>But why, you may ask?</p>

<p>Here’s why: most colleges and universities are accredited by one of 6 regional accrediting agencies, and they all accept credits and degrees from each other. This is the NATIONAL STANDARD. For California, that accrediting agency is WASC, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. </p>

<p>AMDA is NOT accredited by WASC. </p>

<p>So what does this mean to you? It’s fine if you want to transfer to another program that takes AMDA credits – but, as mentioned above, many, many very fine theater schools won’t. And what if you want to go in a different direction, like Psychology or Business? Your AMDA BFA of BFA credits will NOT transfer, because AMDA is not WASC accredited. You could spend several thousand dollars at AMDA and discover half-way through you are unhappy there and find out too late that your credits don’t transfer. You have to decide if that is the risk you want to take. </p>

<p>It’s also a question as to whether your Conservatory credits will transfer even to a NAST school – don’t yet know the answer to that one. </p>

<p>Here is an example of what I am talking about from Penn State:</p>

<p>The Undergraduate Admissions Office will evaluate courses from other institutions for possible transfer credit after we receive a complete application, including an official transcript from that institution (view Application Requirements for Transfer Students). Only coursework successfully completed at other colleges and universities recognized by the six regional accrediting associations will be considered for transfer credit.*</p>

<p>(*College level coursework completed at colleges/universities licensed by state boards of education to award associate degrees or higher but that are not members of one of the six regional accrediting associations may be eligible for credit by validation.)</p>

<p>Since California’s Board of Education doesn’t license colleges, this doesn’t apply to AMDA. </p>

<p>Here is a review of AMDA from another site: </p>

<p>None of my credits transferred anywhere in America so unless you are going to remain there and get your BFA (which won’t transfer) or just want really great training, I would recommend elsewhere.
[American</a> Musical and Dramatic Academy Campus Ratings](<a href=“http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/campusRatings.jsp?sid=11920]American”>American Musical and Dramatic Academy | Rate My Professors)</p>

<p>The thing is, at some point, you will be teaching in the arts at the college level. Very, very, very few people support themselves in MT or Acting without teaching. If you don’t have an INCREDIBLE performance resume OR a MASTERS degree in performing, OR a degree from Yale or Carnegie Mellon or Juilliard, you won’t be employed to teach. Period. You have to decide if it is worth it to you to spend $160,000 on a degree that the majority of colleges WILL NOT ACCEPT, when it is just as easy to go to a good or better school that costs the same or even less, and get a degree that WILL BE ACCEPTED. </p>

<p>Here’s the bottom line – do your homework. Do your research. Step out of the fantasy for a moment, and make the best decision for your career as an artist. You don’t want to end up being $160,000 in debt with a worthless degree. It’s a very, very scary place to be. And it just doesn’t have to be that way if you’re smart and make the right choice.</p>

12

<p>One more thought. There are AMDA trolls on this and every college forum, masking as students. You will see this phrase over and over: “You get out of it what you put into it.” I find that statement kinda weird. I mean, I don’t think students at NYU, Pace, Emerson, Carnegie Mellon are thinking that. They’re thinking – if I don’t bust my ass here, there is a very good chance I won’t be invited back next year. </p>

<p>Personally, I don’t want to be around unmotivated people. I want to be in a program that MADE SURE unmotivated people were not allowed in!! Who wants to be around slackers slowing down the class – at $35,000 a year? AMDA has a history of letting in scads of people who may be talented (or not!) but who are NOT motivated to do the work. Is that who you want as your scene partner?</p>

13

<p>I don’t know anything about AMDA but to say that the people who go there are unmotivated seems a bit harsh. Caissie Levy and Jesse Tyler Ferguson surely wouldn’t agree with your statements.</p>

14

<p>I have a friend in the program now who really likes it, she is kept super super busy!</p>

15

<p>Hi, Bisou – Jesse Tyler Ferguson attended AMDA in the 90’s. Caissie Levy attended AMDA in the very early 2000s. It is important to look at what a school is doing NOW. </p>

<p>Yes, the truth is harsh. But better to be informed.</p>

<p>Check this out: [Courthouse</a> News Service](<a href=“http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/06/04/58186.htm]Courthouse”>http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/06/04/58186.htm)</p>

<p>This is a lawsuit filed by a faculty member. You should read the whole thing – pretty informative. </p>

<p>But here are some quick quotes:</p>

<p>““In reality, many students’ applications to transfer their credits to other schools were rejected due to AMDA’s lack of proper accreditation,” the complaint states. “AMDA was accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre, a relatively minor accrediting institution, as opposed to a major accreditation institution such as the Western Association of Schools & Colleges. One AMDA student even threatened to sue the school upon finding out that none of the classes she took and paid for at AMDA were credit-transferrable. This student was given a full refund only after she agreed to sign a nondisclosure agreement to prevent other students from learning of AMDA’s predatory and deceptive practices. Notwithstanding AMDA’s best efforts to hide its misconduct, however, the school garnered a reputation for these fraudulent and predatory practices, earning the widely used nickname ‘SCAMDA’ among both staff and students.”
Fishbach claims that AMDA “has not provided many of its students with the promised ‘legendary’ training or given them guidance and support in their careers and instead employs policies that maximize its profits to its students’ detriment. Among other things, AMDA effectively has no admission standards for incoming students - practically anyone who applies is admitted into ‘America’s premier college of the performing arts.’ To ensure that students remain enrolled and continue paying tuition, AMDA expressly forbids students from auditioning for outside entertainment opportunities until their last semester of training at the institution,” the complaint states.”</p>

16

<p>I guess the bottom line question I would have to ask is this: WHY would anyone choose to apply to and attend a NON-ACCREDITED school for the study of musical theatre, when there are so many excellent, accredited programs out there? This is something I truly do not understand. With the right mix of choices and some pre-planning, everyone interested in pursuing the study of this art form can get in somewhere that is accredited and will give students a degree at the end of the course of study that is valid anywhere.</p>

17

<p>Hi, Josh – Being busy doesn’t mean that everyone else in your program is busy. Your friend may be very busy at AMDA. But according to many students who have recently attended, a large percentage of students just don’t do the work. And if those people are your scene partners, how does that benefit you? I want to be with people who will inspire me and motivate me! I don’t want to have to deal with a slacker as my class mate or roommate or scene partner or whatever. Again, I would want to attend a program that nurtures ONLY highly motivated students. </p>

<p>For example: University of Michigan CURRENTLY has one of the highest percentages of alumni who perform lead roles on Broadway. And here is their policy of weeding out underperforming students. They call this their “Second Year Evaluation”:</p>

<p>Upon completion of Musical Theatre Performance II, all majors must participate in a second-year evaluation, which qualifies them to enroll in specific upper-level performance courses.
[UM</a> School of Music, Theatre & Dance - Department of Musical Theatre - Degree Programs](<a href=“http://www.music.umich.edu/departments/mustheatre/programs.htm]UM”>http://www.music.umich.edu/departments/mustheatre/programs.htm)</p>

<p>Here is a link to a thorough survey, done by a College Confidential parent who is an engineer, of which schools turn out the most Broadway performers. </p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1479281-best-musical-theatre-schools-based-broadway-alumni.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1479281-best-musical-theatre-schools-based-broadway-alumni.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>A short quote from the survey:</p>

<p>"This list includes what I call fresh actors, or any person in class of 2008 or later (i.e graduated within 5 years, or would have graduated if had not left early).</p>

<p>Raw Total:
Michigan 17, Tisch 13, CCM 11, Elon 7, CMU 6, BaldwinW 5, Syracuse 4, Steinhardt 4, BoCo 3, Juilliard 3, AileyFord 3, FloridaSt 3, PennSt 3, MaryMan 3, Pace 3, Ithaca 2, AMDA 2, UNCSA 2, PointPark 2, Wagner 2, BostonU 2, USC 2"</p>

<p>AMDA: 2? Really? In the last 2 years?</p>

18

<p>Just curious Egyptian Dance as seem you seem quite passionate about this topic, have you had a bad personal experience with AMDA? I ask in all sincerity as it is on the list as an option, although not top option, for consideration for my daughter and many of her theatre friends. I have heard both very good and not so great things so I am just wondering why you feel so strongly about AMDA.</p>

19

<p>Hi, Sopranomtmom: Let me ask you this: what is your daughter’s background in the performing arts? Singer, dancer, actress? What other schools are you looking at?</p>

20

<p>D is just a freshman in high school and has her heart set on a BFA MT or BM MT. She is a soprano and has been performing in local community theatre for the past five years. She has taken acting and dance classes in addition to her vocal training, but would likely consider herself a classically trained vocalist first, an actress second and dancer third. She is tall and delicate and is typically cast in ingenue roles such as Cosette in Les Mis, Mabel in Pirates and Laurie in Oklahoma. She is not a belter, but that has not been the focus in her vocal training. Her dream schools would be Michigan, CMU or NYU, but of course she knows that is a stretch given the incredible level of competition. One of the reasons I’m here is to help her compile a list of schools that would be a good fit for her particular strengths. Given what I have learned here so far other schools she has become interested in include OCU, NYU Steinhardt, Baldwin Wallace, Ithaca, Wichita State and ASU. Truly the research is just beginning, which is why I asked the question. She has some older friends who are looking seriously at AMDA here in Los Angeles as it offers a BFA and is a West Coast option that suits some of them better. So she has been looking at it as a local option as well as some of our CA Universities with strong Musical Theatre programs. She is a straight A student and academics have always been important to her and to me, so I do have some concerns about the accreditation issues, but I also hear some really good thing about the LA AMDA program as well.</p>