The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA)

It was one of the first specialized universities that embodied the concept of training versatile artists who could sing, dance and act on stage. Today, AMDA continues to develop and implement innovative courses in the performing arts to meet the changing demands of the entertainment industry, but the basic concept remains the same - comprehensive training of future artists.

AMDA has approximately 1,500 students from around the world. The academy provides amazing facilities for portfolio preparation. Students have access to rehearsal rooms, musical instruments, state-of-the-art studios and equipment for editing, recording and filming, etc.

In addition to direct classes and rehearsals, students perform in concerts and plays, and are invited to parties organized by the university. There is an opportunity to meet leading producers, directors and agents recruiting artists, which gives a brilliant chance to attract attention.

Graduates of the academy perform on Broadway, in American and foreign theater groups, in TV shows, act in movies, etc. Many graduates have become successful and popular directors, composers, choreographers, scriptwriters, event organizers, etc.

The academy has a Career Center that helps students submit their portfolios and resumes to various organizations for job search.

Such stars as Madelyn Brewer, Tyne Daly, Jason Derulo, Jesse Tyler Fee and others have graduated from AMDA.

The American Academy of Music and Drama was opened in 1964 in New York City. Later in 2006, another campus was opened in Los Angeles.

AMDA's first and main campus is located in New York City. This is where the academy was founded in 1964. Students are trained at several facilities:

• AMDA's main office on 61st Street. This is the heart of the university. There are classrooms, rehearsal studios, vocal studios, student lounges, and library and administrative offices on four floors.
• Ansonia. The second location is located on 73rd Street at Broadway in a beautiful historic building. It houses a theater, dance and vocal studios. Advanced workshops and student theater performances are held here.
• Greenwich House Community Hall. This is a 13th Street dormitory that offers students comfortable furnished apartments and studios.
• New York Community Hall. This is a hotel in the center of Midtown that also offers all-inclusive housing for students.
• St. George Tyers Community Hall in Brooklyn Heights is another residence for academy students located in a former hotel.
• Rehearsal spaces. In addition to classrooms, students utilize many studios for dance, vocal, etc. These are available to students at any time, regardless of class schedules.

The City of Angels campus was opened in 2006. Students get the opportunity to study in close proximity to Hollywood, which is the world center of the film industry as well as the creation of TV shows, live performances, etc. Students gain a real understanding of how show business works and are given unprecedented opportunities to build a successful career.

The academy's Los Angeles campus includes several facilities:

• Tower Building is a historic art deco building that houses administrative offices, classrooms, studios, costume store, computer labs, café, black box theater, library, and equipment rooms.
• The Vine Building is a five-story building that houses classrooms, lab theaters, studios, vocal studios, and a general education classroom. There is also a student lounge, a film production room, a scene shop, and storage areas for costumes, props, and sets.
• Vine Street Residence Hall. The building houses apartments for students, fully furnished for living.
• Bungalow Dormitory. Original furnished comfortable bungalows are also provided for student housing.
• Allview Dormitory. This is a residence in the heart of Hollywood near the academy campus.
• Franklin Dormitory. Students are offered loft-style accommodations with gorgeous views of Hollywood.
• Yucca Street Apartments are furnished apartments for academy students.
• Gilbert Dormitory is a modern furnished dormitory in a beautiful old building near campus.
• Performance Theaters. The academy has four main theaters in Los Angeles.
• Rehearsal spaces. Students can utilize many studios for vocal, choreography, rehearsal, recording, etc., equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
• Studios for film, television recording and editing. Students can use all the necessary equipment for recording and editing.

The American Musical and Dramatic Academy offers a wide range of undergraduate degree programs, postgraduate programs, as well as courses for high school students and more.

The programs are designed for 8 semesters Students can graduate in 4 years (classical course) or in 2 years and 9 months (accelerated course). Two degrees are available at the Academy:

1. Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. The programs provide comprehensive higher education and artistic training at the conservatory level.

• AMDA students may pursue this degree in the following areas:
• Acting (in-person or online);
• Film and Television: acting on camera;
• Performing Arts: acting and content creation;
• Musical Theater (full-time or online);
• Vocal performance: commercial music;
• Performing arts: musical theater and content creation;
• Dance;
• Performing arts: dance and content creation.

2. Bachelor of Arts Degree. These programs are designed for students who are interested in a full academic preparation and intensive study of theater arts.

Students may earn this degree by majoring in:

• Theater Arts and Performance.

The Academy offers a number of Associate of Occupational Studies degree programs. These are programs that provide the basic skills needed to begin a career in the performing arts. They are designed to be completed in 4 semesters of study. Students can complete them in 2 years (in the classical program) or in 1 year and 4 months (in the accelerated program).

Students can earn this degree by specializing in:Acting;

• Dance Theater;
• Acting in front of the camera;
• Musical Theater.

The Academy's certification courses focus on intensive, hands-on learning. Programs are 4 semesters long and can be completed in 2 years or 1 year and 4 months (accelerated).

• Students may choose a certificate program by specialty:
• Conservatory Studio Certificate (acting for stage, film and television);
• Conservatory's Acting in Front of the Camera Certificate (acting in film, TV and media);
• United Conservatory Certificate (musical theater, acting and dance);
• Certificate in Dance Theater Conservatory (dance theater, acting and musical theater).

The Academy offers 2 master's degree programs

1. Master of Arts in Theatre. Students have the opportunity to study theater arts at the graduate level. It is an intensive 1-year course that includes 3 semesters.
2. Master of Fine Arts in Screenwritinig. The Screenwriting for Film and Television program is a 2-year course that prepares professional writers.

The Conservatory has been offering original courses for high school students for over 10 years face-to-face and 4 years in an online format. Students can choose from 3 different programs that provide pre-university training from world-class teachers. They also have cultural events and the opportunity to audition for college.

For high school students, AMDA offers:

Summer Programs. Designed for 2 weeks of intensive study. Students can choose to take courses in specialty areas:

• Acting on Stage and Screen (in-person or online);
• Musical Theater (in-person or online);
• Dance Theater;
• Pop star: recording artist;
• Screenwriting;
• Performing arts and content creation.

After School Programs. Designed for 10 weeks of intensive instruction. Students can choose courses in the areas of:

• Acting on Stage and Screen (in-person or online);
• Musical Theater (in-person or online).

These are short-term programs for students between 18 and 25 years old. They are based on the study of acting, movement, improvisation and performance with the possibility of specializing in musical theater and vocal technique. Courses include classes in acting, movement, writing, stage combat, monologue preparation, on-camera independent audition techniques, and additional specialization in singing technique or musical theater.

The Academy offers several options:

• 8-week programs - an extended course that includes a variety of classes on weekdays and cultural activities on Saturdays.
• 3-week programs - a short intensive course.

Graduates may audition for the AMDA College of Performing Arts.

International students must complete a multi-step process to be admitted to AMDA. It includes:

1. Sending an application. The applicant must be at least 16 years old and have a high school diploma. The application form can be found on the official AMDA website.
2. Scheduling an audition. All AMDA applicants are required to audition. This can be done at the Academy; the university also holds regional auditions, on university campuses, and online. The Academy's website provides guidance on how to prepare for this stage.
3. Telephone interview with the admissions office.
4. Submit a minimum 500-word essay.
5. Send a letter of recommendation. Request these from teachers, principals, coaches, and anyone else who could speak to your experience and potential.
6. Send educational credentials with official notarized word-for-word translations of all academic documents.
7. Provide proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL (minimum 70iBT), IELTS (minimum 6.0), Duolingo (minimum 95), Cambridge English Language Assessment (minimum B2), PTE Academic (minimum 50), ACT English (minimum 20) or SAT (minimum 550).