For more than 55 years, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) has been recognized throughout the industry for its rich history and tradition of launching some of the most successful careers in theatre, film, television and new media.
Today AMDA continues to build upon its prestige with campuses in Los Angeles and New York City, two of the most influential entertainment hubs in the world. AMDA College of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York provide unparalleled education and training for the aspiring actor, dancer, singer, versatile artist, and beyond.
Ranked No. 4 on Playbill’s Big 10, AMDA is among the top most represented colleges on Broadway in the 2018–2019 Season, indicating the tremendous level of success students reach after graduation.
AMDA is a thriving institution and community which includes thousands of prominent alumni in virtually every field of the entertainment industry. Students are positioned for success from the moment they step on campus. With access to more than 300 faculty of acclaimed actors, choreographers, directors, filmmakers, and TV producers, students regularly receive industry insight and expertise from teachers currently working in the business.
AMDA is one of the only performing arts institutions offering Bachelor of Fine Arts Degrees (BFA), Associate of Occupational Studies Degrees, and Professional Conservatory Certificates with campuses located in New York City and Los Angeles.
Academic Rigor
AMDA provides rigorous, performance-based training and an industry-focused education experience; one that inspires excellence and prepares artists with an appreciation for the universal power of transformation through art. AMDA's educational philosophy is based on close collegial interaction between instructors and students — in class, in production and through active mentorship. Offering a diverse array of degree and certificate programs, AMDA gives students the power to design their own unique path in the performing arts.
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degrees (BFA)
Designed to transform creative individuals into well-rounded performing artists, the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree Programs combine a comprehensive college education with rigorous conservatory-style artistic training. Available program options include:
• Acting
• Music Theatre
• Dance Theatre
• Performing Arts
Associate of Occupational Studies Degrees (AOS)
The Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) Degree Programs offer a focused development of essential skills and techniques necessary to launch a career in the performing arts. Available program options include:
• Acting
• Musical Theatre
• Dance Theatre
Conservatory Professional Programs
The Professional Conservatory Certificate Programs focus on intensive and practical instruction, providing a solid foundation for a successful career in the performing arts. AMDA offers students the following Conservatory programs:
• Studio Program: Acting for Stage, Film, and Television
• Integrated Program: Acting, Music Theatre, and Dance Theatre
• Dance Theatre Conservatory: Theatrical, Commercial, and Concert Dance.
New York Campus
(The American Musical and Dramatic Academy)
Home to the inimitable grandeur of Broadway, New York City is the epicenter of the arts world. Artists from every corner of the globe gather in this cultural hub to experience, create, produce, and perform the wide variety of films, operas, ballets, symphonies, television shows, dance performances, and plays offered throughout the city.
AMDA’s New York City campus resides in one of the city’s most prestigious neighborhoods: Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Living legends walk the streets here, and the world’s greatest museums, libraries, and theatres sit on every corner. Students have easy access to Central Park, Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York City Ballet, The Metropolitan Opera, and (of course) the Broadway Theatre District.
Los Angeles Campus
(AMDA College of the Performing Arts)
Internationally regarded as the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles is the beating heart for the performing arts, with hundreds of feature films, television shows, and theatre productions created every year. The legendary mystique of Hollywood stems from L.A.’s profound history and commitment to the performing arts.
AMDA’s Los Angeles campus is located in the very heart of the city’s creative center, the Hollywood Entertainment District. The campus’ neighbors include the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the famous Pantages Theatre and Dolby Theatre, Capitol Records, numerous television and motion picture studios, Griffith Park, and the Hollywood Bowl.
Auditions
Applicants must audition for admission to AMDA. For ease, AMDA holds auditions in more than 50 cities across the globe (and monthly auditions on AMDA’s New York and L.A. campuses). Students can schedule their audition online at amda.edu/admissions, where they can also find the dates for AMDA’s national audition tour. Additionally, students are able to audition via video submission.
Incredible Alumni
“I went to AMDA to make sure that every aspect of performance was mastered as best as possible. I’m a performer — and that’s what AMDA allows you to be.”
—Jason Derulo, multi-platinum music artist
Each day, AMDA alumni perform on the world’s stages, film sets, and movie screens, influencing the way audiences connect with art and entertainment. AMDA alumni never wait for life to happen — they carve their own career path. Below are some career highlights showing the success of the celebrated AMDA Alumni community:
Caissie Levy
Just one week after graduation from AMDA, Caissie Levy was cast as Maureen in the US National Tour of Rent. This success catapulted her into Broadway stardom, with six leading roles in Ghost, Les Misérables, Hair, Wicked, Hairspray and most recently Frozen – for which she originated the role of Elsa. Frozen set a new box office record at Broadway’s St. James Theatre, grossing more than $2.2 million in its first full week of shows. Additionally, Caissie is a successful recording artist, having performed to sold-out crowds across the U.S., Canada, and the UK.
Jason Derulo
With 11 Billboard Top 10 hits and more than 1 billion plays on Spotify, multi-platinum selling recording singer and songwriter Jason Derulo is considered one of the decade’s best-selling recording artists. He has sold over 50 million singles worldwide from four multi-platinum-selling studio albums and has won five BMI Pop Awards. Jason made his acting breakthrough as Rum Tum Tugger in the 2019 motion picture, Cats.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Best known for his role as Mitchell Pritchett in the enormously successful ABC sitcom, Modern Family, Jesse Tyler Ferguson is a four-time Screen Actors Guild Award winner and a five-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee. In addition to his extensive television, film, and theatre credits, including Broadway’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Tyler is an active philanthropist and founder of ‘Tie the Knot,’ which advocates for marriage equality.
Tyne Daly
With a career that spans hit television shows, blockbuster movies, and classic Broadway theatre, Tyne Daly is one of AMDA’s most prolific alumni. She is a six-time Emmy winner, Tony Award winner, and American Theatre Hall of Fame inductee. With more than 100 film and television credits to her name alone, it is no wonder why her legacy is cemented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. From Broadway’s Gypsy to television’s Judging Amy, Tyne is regarded as a true feminist icon in the entertainment industry who champions the portrayal of strong leading female characters.
Christopher Sieber
Two-time Tony Award nominee, Christopher Sieber has starred in 22 Broadway roles, most notably as Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical and most recently as Trent Oliver in The Prom. To television audiences, Christopher is known for his role as Kevin Burke in Two of a Kind, with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and as Simon Banks in It’s All Relative. He is actively involved with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, regularly offering his time and talent for its charitable events.
Contact Information
For general information call 1-800-367-7908 or e-mail admissionsteam@amda.edu.
The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, 211 West 61st St., New York, NY 10023, (212) 787-5300.
AMDA College of the Performing Arts, 6305 Yucca St., Los Angeles, CA 90028, (323) 469-3300.