10 Things to Accept When Moving to AMDA (and NY in General)

#1: Your living area will be small.  Just remember, there’s always someone living in a smaller space than you.  Like the rooms meant for one person that have been stuffed with furniture for two.  It can always be worse …

#2:  Everything is done by alphabetical order.  If you’re at the beginning, like me, get used to being called first … always.

#3:  You will question your decision.  It’s going to happen over and over again, especially at the beginning when orientation, placements, college classes, and starting your own independent life can be very overwhelming.  Stand strong and remember the reason you came, because tomorrow will be better.

#4:  You will meet a lot of different people.  Some you will not befriend, and some you will.  There are people like you.  It’s okay if you don’t find them after the first day.  It’s fine if you still feel lonely after a few days.  Even if you haven’t made any friendships within the first two weeks and have completely regretted your decision to move here, don’t worry!  You will find your people, and you will make great friendships.  Just relax and let them come.  No one is alone in New York City.

#5  If you’re late, you’re fired.  No excuses.  Get used to it.

#6  There is a grocery store on every block.  Do a little exploring.  In general, Trader Joe’s is your grocery store.  Duane Reade is your stop for milk, eggs, sandwich necessities, other snacks, and also your general store for notebooks, bathroom products, etc.  Price Discount on 84^th and Broadway is where you buy your yoga mat and, if you don’t mind the walk, it is also your cheaper general store.

#7  If you don’t do your homework, it will not be accepted.  This is not high school anymore.  The work isn’t hard, just tedious.  If you love theatre with a passion, trust me, it doesn’t feel like homework.  It feels like you’re getting a grade for having fun.

#8  If you have free time, you are failing.  Go to Dance Review once a week.  Go to morning warm-ups as often as possible.  Go to American Standard once a week.  Take the free extra classes.  Get a job.  Go to the library.

#9  Practice makes perfect.  Get a free ten-minute session with an accompanist when you can and practice your music.  Practice your dances at dance review.  Go over your etudes and monologues often.  Research Broadway shows.  Who else gets to say that their only homework is memorizing a tap sequence and watching Kristin Chenoweth perform on YouTube?

#10  People are judging you.  Whether it’s your teachers or your fellow students, they are judging you.  Don’t show up with a bad attitude or get an idea into your head that you already know about theatre.  There is always something to learn, no matter who you are, or what your past experiences are.

Lots of Love,

Little Me