Introducing: AMDA Adventures

If you've glanced over the title of this site or read a post or two, you probably know that I am moving to New York City in a few short weeks to study musical theater at a nonprofit private conservatory-type college based in Manhattan called the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

If you type AMDA into a google search engine, you are likely to come up with many opinions on the school, both good and bad.  Some people (mostly current students and people who know students) say that the school is great.  You get out of it what you put into it, the classes are rigorous and challenging, and the staff is excellent.

Other people (rarely consisting of students or past students) tend to say that the school takes everyone, it is not worth the money, and it has a bad reputation.

So why did I choose it?  I'm glad you asked!

I was looking for an intensive B.F.A program in a huge musical theater location with great instructors and rigorous courses. I applied to many schools, including the Tisch School of the Arts, UCLA, and Northwestern University. I think I dreamed just a little too big though, especially given the fact that (a) I've never had private vocal training, (b) my dance training ended six years ago, and (c) the only theater classes I've taken were summer programs at our local community theater.

However, I love musical theater. Now, we're not talking about loving cake or loving your first crush. This is a passionate, fiery, mind-blowing love that consumes a person’s body and mind all day every day. I love musical theater, and I am willing to do everything I need to do in order to make it my career. I research singing techniques on my own and practice nearly every day. Through my involvement in show choir and school productions, I have gained valuable experience.

I didn't have what it took to be competitive with hundreds of other students for 10 spots in some of those bigger programs, but I believe I have what it takes to succeed in theater as long as I have the opportunity to learn the techniques.  

AMDA accepted me into the 2-year Integrated Musical Theater program based in New York City, and I gratefully enrolled, finding the school to have all of those qualities I was looking for.

I like to think of myself as a bit of a field reporter.  I grew tired of the flip-flop back-and-fourth of the opinions on the college-finding boards.  I want to find out the truth about AMDA for myself and for other prospective students who see everything I see in its programs.  

Here on this page, I will post everything AMDA-related, from auditions to classes to homework to teachers.  I hope that others can learn from my experiences and use it to further their own dreams, whatever they may be.

Enjoy!

Love,

Little Me