AMDA, Inc.

Success in the performing arts goes beyond talent. From day one, AMDA prepares you to enter the competitive industry with world-class training in Los Angeles and New York City.

AMDA first opened its doors in New York City in 1964 as The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. The first director of AMDA was the renowned theatre director, producer, teacher, and Shakespeare scholar, Philip Burton. The foundation of the AMDA program was based on the belief that the actor, the singer, and the dancer would each greatly benefit from attending an intensive conservatory training program in which all were taught the same integrated, multidisciplinary curriculum. AMDA’s philosophy was that the actor would develop stronger techniques by studying singing and dance alongside traditional acting courses and that the singer and dancer would both greatly benefit from in-depth acting study in addition to dance and vocal training.

Many recognized AMDA as the first institute of higher education devoted to theatre training in which the Broadway musical was not only accepted as a legitimate art form, but also celebrated and included in the curriculum. Faculty at AMDA were theatre professionals working on Broadway — actors, singers, dancers, directors, musical directors, and choreographers. Alumni went on to perform on Broadway, in television and film, and around the world as actors, singers, and dancers. AMDA’s unique program was a success. After Philip Burton retired, David and Jan Martin took the reins as co-presidents, taking AMDA to national prominence as one of the nation’s premier performing arts institutions. Under their leadership, AMDA grew exponentially in both size and scope, developing innovative programs of study.

In 2003, AMDA opened its Los Angeles campus as AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts. Located in the center of Hollywood, the school was the fulfillment of the Martins’ long-standing vision for the school to be rooted in the two entertainment capitals of the world. The Los Angeles campus offers undergraduate and graduate degrees encompassing professional performing arts training and liberal studies. One of AMDA’s exclusive opportunities is the Artist’s Laboratory, which provides students with the opportunity to create and perform original content for stage, media, and film in a faculty-mentored setting.

For almost 60 years, AMDA has remained at the forefront of performing arts higher education and continues to flourish under David and Jan Martin’s singular devotion and passionate leadership. Today, AMDA’s undergraduate and graduate divisions provide students with exclusive opportunities to create and perform original content for stage, media, and film in a faculty-mentored setting. AMDA is a thriving institution and community that includes thousands of prominent alumni in every field of the entertainment industry.

‍