<p>I’ve heard so many negative things about AMDA and I’m sure they’re true, but I just want to put it out there that two kids from our town went to AMDA in NYC a few years ago and both are now quite successful (for now!)–one is on her second year-long national tour and the other has worked pretty much steadily in theatre in NYC for the past two years. </p>
<p>Furthermore, I saw the young man ‘before’ and ‘after’-he was far, far improved ‘after’ (two years of AMDA). Particularly voice and stage presence. </p>
<p>In fact, of all the kids who went off to study theatre from our very theatre loving town over the years - many to top programs - these two are the only ones who have been successful so far. Perhaps it’s chance, but AMDA didn’t hurt them.</p>
<p>My son went to ADMA for dance and recently graduated. It was a great school and a great program. It really prepared him for auditioning and he made connections. You get out of the AMDA program what you put in. There are so many opportunities at the school for students who want to put in the work.</p>
<p>Here is what I wrote in a different thread on AMDA --</p>
<p>“If AMDA wants to rebuild its reputation its not going to do it with one-post wonders. NT Corbin does have 6 posts but all of them are on the subject of AMDA. Lavazia’s post is not believable in any respect. Reads like a straight marketing piece. Where is the AMDA post from the student who was on this forum while selecting schools, who chose AMDA over other schools, and has a board reputation from having 100+ posts on this board. Where is the post from a mother or father who went through this entire process and is now coming back and recommending AMDA? When those things happen, people can talk about AMDA’s reputation improving. But a one post wonder doesn’t do anything for me.”</p>
<p>Interestingly, in that thread was DGsMom only post which touted AMDA. Now, six months later DGsMom is back with two post again only about how great AMDA is. As I said above, I think posters who don’t post anything but a handful of posts about how great one particular school is are highly suspicious.</p>
<p>Honestly, I have not been to AMDA but I did send in a video audition because I live in Dubai. I don’t really think AMDA is a bad academy. I think it’s all about the hard work you put in and about the experience you have. I am sure it isn’t easy to get an amazing job as a performer or actor. It takes time and it’s all about you and the decisions you make. AMDA will only teach you how to take your first baby steps and then it’s all you. It’s very difficult to get a good steady job in cities as competitive as New York and Los Angeles. </p>
<p>This is just my opinion, but I really believe in working extremely hard to get where you want to go.
I really hope I get in. I’m worried I won’t because, being in Dubai, you don’t really get a lot of musicals and performing arts schools. I lack a lot of experience compared to the numerous amount of talented competition. Wish me luck! :D</p>
Hmmm…Jessie Tyler Ferguson went to AMDA, then entered the MFA program at the Boston Conservatory (attending with my daughter’s theatre teacher). And the current Eponine in Les Miserables, Brennyn Lark, graduated from there last month. And alumni Brian Christopher Beach is in 1st National Tour of ‘The Book of Mormon’ as Elder McKinnley. These are working actors.
My daughter was accepted to AMDA NYC, in addition to three other college musical theatre programs. We understand the accreditation issues and not being able to transfer to a non-AMDA school. Her acceptance to other NYC BFA programs cost the same amount as AMDA (and she didn’t get any more financial aid from “regular colleges,” so our outlay is the same). She’s not motivated by things that are not performance related and doesn’t want a liberal arts education.
I researched this. I contacted a producer who has several shows on Broadway right now about their opinion of two year conservatory style schools (CAP21, Circle in the Square and AMDA). One of this person’s shows (within this decade) won multiple Tony awards, including Best Musical. This person preferred AMDA over other programs. This person could have told me AMDA was lousy, or to run. But they didn’t. And this person is an NYU BFA grad.
Every person needs to choose their own path- if AMDA is right for your kid, and you feel good about it as the next step, then don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.