The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) is a private college conservatory for the performing arts located in New York City[1] and Los Angeles, California. The conservatory offers both Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees and two-year Certificates in Professional Performance. Programs are offered in Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance and Performing Arts. It is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre

History

AMDA was founded in 1964 by Philip Burton along with other people from the New York theatre community. The school established itself as a part of the New York performing arts community and garnered early support from members of the Broadway theatre such as Sammy Davis Jr., Dina Merrill and Carol Channing.

By 1970, the school had outgrown its original location on East 23rd Street and moved into a new building on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. A few years later, further growth prompted a move to the Ansonia Building.[3] In the 1990s a second location, which is now the principal location of AMDA New York, was opened near Lincoln Center.

In 2003 the school expanded west by opening AMDA Los Angeles in the Vine Tower Building. AMDA is the only BFA-granting performing arts college with campuses in both New York and Los Angeles.

Campuses

The New York City campus is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The principal facility is located at 211 West 61st Street,[1] directly behind Lincoln Center. The other half of the campus is located at the Ansonia building, on West 73rd Street.

AMDA’s New York campus features a theatre for learning, skill development and performance. The Ansonia Building features a 100-seat, black box–style theatre equipped with two dressing rooms, a costume shop, a workshop, and backstage space and prop storage. AMDA’s New York performing arts library holds a collection of scripts, scores, DVDs and other research material. Additional facilities include rehearsal space, film, TV and editing facilities, computer labs and the AMDA Student Store.

The Los Angeles campus is located in the Hollywood Entertainment District, with its principal facility in the Vine Tower Building.

AMDA’s Los Angeles campus features four main theatres for learning, skill development and performance including a black box theatre, two laboratory theatres, and an outdoor amphitheater. Other facilities include rehearsal space, film, TV and editing facilities, library, the AMDA Café, and the campus piazza.

Notable alumni

Nina Arianda
Nicole Byer
Tyne Daly
Bailey De Young
Jason Derulo
Asia Kate Dillon
Erik Estrada
Mike Faist
Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Brita Filter
Ray Fisher
Adam Grace
Christopher Jackson
Neil Kaplan
Dita Karang
Hailey Kilgore
Caissie Levy
Rizwan Manji
Carolyne Mas
Gretchen Mol
Janelle Monáe
Anthony Ramos
Paul Sorvino
Lee Tergesen
Becca Tobin
Michelle Visage
Marissa Jaret Winokur
Michael-Leon Wooley
Natalie Zea

amda tuition

TUITION AND HOUSING COSTS

The following is the direct cost of education for one academic year (two terms in a AOS or Certificate Program or two terms in a BFA Program). The tuition for each academic year is the same for AOS or Certificate and BFA students.

The housing costs listed here are for students planning to live in AMDA’s Student Housing. Students who choose to secure housing on their own should expect costs to be higher than those listed here. Residential students live at one of the AMDA Housing locations.

95% of AMDA students receive institutional support in the form of scholarships and/or grants. Learn more about financial aid.

Below are the 2020–2021 costs for The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York and the AMDA College of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles for students beginning their enrollment in Fall 2020, Spring 2021, or Summer 2021.

2020-2021 AOS OR CERTIFICATE AND BFA PROGRAMS:

Direct Costs (cost paid directly to AMDA)

	Off Campus	On Campus
Tuition	$41,660	$41,660
Fees	$300	$300
Housing	N/A	$9,990
Total	$41,960	$51,950

2020-2021 indirect costs (cost that does not appear on your bill)

	Off Campus	On Campus
Housing	$9,990*	N/A
Books	$1,200	$1,200
Transport	$1,200	$1,200
Personal	$4,300	$4,300
Misc	$2,300	$2,300
Total	$18,990	$9,000

* Off campus housing estimate

Below are the 2019–2020 costs for The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York and the AMDA College of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles for students beginning their enrollment in Fall 2019, Spring 2020, or Summer 2020.

2019-2020 AOS OR CERTIFICATE AND BFA PROGRAMS:

Direct Costs (cost paid directly to AMDA)

	Off Campus	On Campus
Tuition	$40,144	$40,144
Fees	$300	$300
Housing	N/A	$9,750
Total	$40,444	$50,194

2019-2020 indirect costs (cost that does not appear on your bill)

	Off Campus	On Campus
Housing	$9,750*	N/A
Books	$1,200	$1,200
Transport	$1,200	$1,200
Personal	$4,300	$4,300
Misc	$2,300	$2,300
Total	$18,750	$9,000