The American Acadamy of Dramatic Arts

<p>Hey my friend is going there this year because he got into the 2 year program. Is it a good place? Is it difficult to get into? is it prestigious? I have no clue!!! But he just left for NYC and he is excited.</p>

<p>Anyone? He got in as 1 of 16 out of over 2000 so someone here must have heard of it?</p>

<p>Does anyone have any info on it?</p>

<p>would be appreciated</p>

<p>do you mean AMDA? (American Music and Drama Academy?)</p>

<p>AADA and AMDA are NOT the same. AADA is a 2-year program, but I think it's straight drama - no MT. If you type it into a search engine, you can get their web page, but I know nothing about the program directly.</p>

<p>AADA is a dramatic theatre program, not musical theatre. I have never seen any mention of it on this discussion site but I have heard of the program but don't know anything about it.</p>

<p>Sophi, there hasn't been much mention here about AADA but from what I know, it's a good program for straight acting. It's a two year program, which you have to be invited back to, after the first year. A friend of ours who is in The Producers on Broadway attended AADA and she was very happy with the training and has been very successful since graduating. It has a much better reputation than AMDA does.</p>

<p>I also do not know much about it other than it is a two year program for acting. I know a boy from our town who went several years ago and he was a really good comedic actor who I think is working in the field now. It should not be confused with AMDA and is more well regarded than AMDA.</p>

<p>thank you for clearing that up, i was really confused.</p>

<p>Has anyone here gone there?</p>

<p>im have already applyed,however i didnt know it was as hard to get into as Juilliard</p>

<p>I got accepted into the Summer program for this coming summer ('06). The atmosphere was very welcoming and the head director of the school put me at ease during the audition. Also the student I met, he was working at the desk, was very talkative and friendly. I'm really excited about attending over the summer. Once I'm back I'll answer any questions people may have. :)</p>

<p>Does the summer program include housing and food? Or just classes?</p>

<p>No, just classes. But the school does have an agreement with Educational Housing at the New Yorker Hotel. So if you don't wish to look for housing on your own, that can be an option. Their website has a lot of housing options and it's the same for both the full-time and summer programs.</p>

<p>ack! i have to turn in my transcripts. my grades SUCK, my audition was good however. im wondering how it'll balance out...</p>

<p>Oh I'd be interested in that, valzie. Perhaps it might be an option for next summer.</p>

<p>I currently have a friend there who is not thrilled with the program. It also has a reputation as a drunk school with a lot of drugs.</p>

<p>I've never heard of that reputation at AADA, babygiraffeboots. But the truth of the matter is really any school, even the most well-respected and well-known programs, have people who are involved in that stuff. It's a problem on lots of campuses and depending on the living situtation can be difficult to ignore.</p>

<p>However it seems especially difficult at AADA since there really is no "campus" so if you don't want to associate with that lifestyle, it should be pretty easy not too. Without having "dorms" and things like that. I'm not saying that I think it doesn't happen, but it should be easier to not be involved than at other places.</p>

<p>Hi - My son is in his first year at AADA - The Amercian Academy of Dramatic Arts AADA and loves it! And yes, it is often confused in name with AMDA......</p>

<p>I need to make a few clarifications about earlier postings - first of all, someone was way off with their numbers! AADA accepts 160 first year students - not 16! About half of those 160 are invited back for the second year. The first year students are divided into groups of 16 students for the first semester and they take all classes together. Then for the second semester the groups are mixed up a bit and regrouped based on ability. They are assigned to either morning (9-1:00) classes or afternoon (2-6:00). My son requested morning classes so that he could work in the afternoon.</p>

<p>The program at AADA is straight drama but students also study voice and dance. We heard about the program from the woman who was the last Amneris in AIDA on Broadway- so their graduates do get musical theatre jobs. My son has been impressed with both their voice and dance classes and even takes some outside classes with one of their dance teachers. And this is one of the great things about being in NY - being able to access classes in the community to further your studies. My son is also getting a taste of the Broadway world, working a theatre concessions job (currently at "The Pajama Game!")</p>

<p>There are no "dorms" per se but there is housing. Students are housed at The New Yorker Hotel - a few blocks down past the Empire State building. Yes - the location of AADA is pretty incredible! - at Madison Ave and 30th Street. Because the students are all on one floor at The New Yorker there is a dorm-like atmosphere. My son moved to NYC with a friend so decided to live off campus - but he enjoys visiting The New Yorker and it sounds like the students there are happy. I doubt that there is more partying than at other schools. First of all, AADA attracts many older students - my son, who is 18, is in classes with quite a few people in their mid-20s. AADA also attracts many international students. My son has classmates from Australia, England and Sweden, to name a few. I certainly wouldn't dismiss it as a "party school." If anything, it seems those at AADA are a bit more serious, mature and independent than your average student. </p>

<p>As a parent paying the bills (!) I feel like we are getting our money's worth at AADA....my son is learning a lot and loving school.</p>

<p>I just got accepted to AADA in NYC and after auditioning there I felt that everyone was welcoming and I love the location. I was just wondering if I could talk to some students already enrolled with the school as I have heard many good things and bad things about the school and I want to make sure what I'm getting myself into. MTmama's advice was helpful, and I'd like to possibly talk to her son through email or something. There is a girl named Marcy who wrote a horrible comment about the school, so again, I just would like to streighten things out. Thanks to anyone who can help : )
*Shaylan</p>

<p>Hi Shaylan - I would be happy to put you in touch with my son - you can e-mail me at <a href="mailto:Doctrbabs@aol.com">Doctrbabs@aol.com</a></p>

<p>Congrads on your acceptance!</p>