AMDA | Gap Program

Explore your Passion. Experience Life.

The AMDA Gap Programs offer world class training in the dynamic performing arts focus of your choice:
- Acting for Stage and Screen
- Musical Theatre

Join AMDA's community of performing artists for 8-weeks in the Fall, or 3-weeks in the Winter, Spring, or Summer to experience the very best in performance education. Passionate performers who are high school graduates aged 18 to 25 are encouraged to apply.

About the Gap Programs

The AMDA Gap Programs unite college-age students, between 18-25, from all over the world for an urban performing arts adventure and a culturally immersive experience. Offering world-class training in acting and musical theatre, our programs provide students with a unique opportunity to live out their passion for performance at the center of all the action in New York City!

Designed with the idea that culture, diversity, and passion are fuel for creative expression, AMDA Gap Programs take students through a transformative performing arts training experience, unparalleled in the US. Students are enriched with meaningful exchanges with like-minded peers and receive valuable mentorship from industry professionals who offer wisdom and tricks of the trade.

In addition to receiving world-class training, students explore New York City through weekly excursions and activities that include trips to Broadway shows, landmark attractions, museums, and more. The AMDA Gap Program is ideal for students who want to explore the performing arts, dive into unfamiliar territory and make lifelong friendships.

AMDA offers both an 8-week Fall option and a 3-week Winter, Spring and Summer option.

8-Weeks: The 8-week programs (Fall) give students an extended immersive experience with classes Monday-Thursday in their chosen discipline and cultural activities organized by our department on Saturdays. The goals of the program are exposure to NYC through cultural experiences, growth in the student’s chosen discipline, a final performance, and an opportunity to audition for AMDA college.
3-Weeks: The 3-week programs (Winter, Spring, and Summer) give students an extended immersive experience with classes on Monday-Fridays in their chosen discipline and cultural activities organized by our department on Saturdays. The 3-week option has longer hours and an extra in class day in order to still give the students the similar in-depth learning, performance, audition and cultural opportunities as the longer program. The goals of the program are exposure to NYC through cultural experiences, growth in the student’s chosen discipline, a final performance, and an opportunity to audition for AMDA college.

Please call (323) 603-5932 or email gap@amda.edu for more information.

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

Talent-Based Scholarships
Partial Financial Assistance Grants
Early Bird Discounts
Returning Student Discounts

Please contact us to discuss the scholarships and financial assistance you may be eligible for at (323) 603-5932.

Enrollment Process

Eligibility +−
Before applying for our Gap Programs, please be sure to read our list of eligibility requirements below.
Admission Requirements +−
Applying to AMDA High School Conservatory is a multi-step process. Below you will find the list of requirements.
1. SUBMIT YOUR GAP PROGRAM APPLICATION +−
  
  Complete the application by clicking Apply Now. If you have any questions prior to filling out the application, you are welcome to fill out the Request Information form. The Request Information form does not qualify as an Application and a student will only move forward to be reviewed once the Application is completed.
  Apply Now Request Information
2. SCHEDULE INTERVIEW +−
  
  Once the application is complete, you will receive a link to sign up on scheduleonce for an interview. You will select a date and time for your interview. The interview is meant to better get to know the student behind the application and takes 10-15 minutes to complete.
3. Wait for Acceptance Notification +−
  
  Once the application and interview are reviewed, the student will be notified if they are accepted into the program. Students will receive a phone call to discuss details, policies, and answer questions.
4. SUBMIT DEPOSIT +−
  
  If accepted, you will receive an email and phone call to review program details. Your $600 deposit will be due at this time. If you have received this phone call and email, you can deposit here:
  Submit Deposit
5. ACCESS STUDENT PORTAL +−
  
  IF accepted, you will receive a phone call to discuss details and an email will be sent out with the student portal access information. If you have not received that email after your call, feel free to contact us at gap@amda.edu. If you have received that email, you may access your student portal here.
  Student Portal
6. SUBMIT PLACEMENT VIDEO +−
  
  Submit your placement video within two weeks of receiving your acceptance email to be considered for partial, merit-based scholarships.
  Placement Video
7. SUBMIT ENROLLMENT FORMS +−
  
  Submit all forms for your program, which can be accessed through the following link:
  Student Portal

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates for the program? +−

What are the costs for the program? +−

Deposit: $600 (to hold the student’s place in the program)

Tuition and Fees for the 8 week program:

	2023 Cost	2024 Cost
Housing (optional)	$5,900	$6,048
Meal Plan	$5,900	$6,048
Tuition	$11,700	$11,700
Entertainment	$1,450	$1,450
T-shirts	n/a	n/a
TOTAL with Housing	$21,187	$21,335
TOTAL w/o Housing	$15,287	$15,287

Tuition and Fees for the 3 week program:

	2023 Cost	2024 Cost
Housing (optional)	$2,212	$2,267
Meal Plan	$756	$756
Tuition	$4,387	$4,387
Entertainment	$544	$544
T-shirts	n/a	n/a
TOTAL with Housing	$7,899	$7,954
TOTAL w/o Housing	$5,687	$5,687

* All Fees before financial assistance. See payment page for more details.

GAP PAYMENT

WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE PROGRAM? +−

MT (3-Week) Schedule MT (8-Week) Schedule

Acting (3-Week) Schedule Acting (8-Week) Schedule
Once I have completed the enrollment process, WHAT DO I DO NEXT? +−

We will reach out to you as we get closer to the start date of the programs to check on program and travel details. If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to contact us at Gap@amda.edu.
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE LIKE FOR ORIENTATION DAY? +−
Arrival time for registration and move-in (for those living on campus) will be between 9am – 1pm at the dorm location designated to you on the first day of the program. The current location of the dorms is TBD, but all deposited students will receive a welcome email with the exact address one week prior to your start date. Once checked in, you will have time to move in and get settled. The schedule for the rest of the day is as follows:
- 9:00 - 1:00 PM - Check in
- 2:00 - 3:30 PM - Faculty Meeting
- 3:30 - 4:00 PM - TownHall Meeting
*Once the activity is over, a staff member will be available to guide students back to the dorms, if needed

**Times for Orientation Day are subject to change. Please refer to the welcome letter that you will receive the week before the start date of your program for the most current information.
WHAT DAYS DO WE HAVE OFF AND ARE OUR NIGHTS FREE? +−
WHAT ARE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES? +−

The goal of the cultural activities is to give students the chance to embrace the culture of New York City for all that it has to offer! Some of the cultural activities we will be participating in include, but are not limited to: The Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Museums, etc.
HOW MANY BROADWAY SHOWS WILL WE BE SEEING? +−

With New York City having such a plethora of live theatre at our fingertips, we are excited to share this aspect of the city with our students in many facets! Between Broadway and Off-Broadway performances, we will be seeing one per week during the programs!
IS THERE A MEAL PLAN? +−

A meal plan is included in the cost of the program. See details on the Gap payment page.
WILL I HAVE A ROOMMATE? +−

Yes, all gap students staying in our student housing will be placed with a roommate for the duration of the program.
WHAT SAFETY AND SECURITY IS PROVIDED? +−

All dorms and buildings have security guards posted in our buildings 24/7. The students will also have a Staff member living in the dorms with them to assist with any needs that may arise throughout the program.
WHAT TRANSPORTATION IS PROVIDED? +−

The students will be responsible for finding their own transportation throughout the program. That being said, we will be sure to assist the students on learning the transportation system during orientation and help them become familiar with New York Cities vast ways of transportation.
DOES THE PROGRAM ASSIST WITH GETTING INTO AMDA COLLEGE? +−

During the program, you will be coached in the auditioning process by AMDA’s college faculty and be submitting a self-taped audition video to be considered for admission. This will give everyone an opportunity to be considered for admission and scholarships to AMDA College.
DO I RECEIVE CREDITS FOR ATTENDING THE GAP PROGRAM? +−

This is not an accredited program, so you will not receive college credit. The program is meant to be an introductory course in order to help guide students to their next season.
Do we receive grades/evaluations for the program? +−

The Gap program is an experiential program that provides students the opportunity to work with AMDA’s world class faculty and staff while getting a glimpse into the New York City Culture. Although there are not grades/evaluations, your instructors will be giving you personalized feedback throughout the entirety of the program.
HOW DO I SET UP MY STUDENT PORTAL? +−
1. Open your web browser (Edge, Firefox, Safari, or Chrome) and visit portal.amda.edu
2. From the Login dropdown, click Student Portal Homepage, then click Create a New Account.
3. Select the button for Student ID and enter your Student's ID. **Please do not use the social security number option, as it will not allow you to log into our system.**
4. Fill out the security questions ("City or Town of Birth" and "Your Mother's Maiden Name"). Our system will use these questions to verify your identity if you need to reset your password!
5. Click Next and verify the Student's email address by clicking "Yes". You will need to log into that email later to click the verification link AMDA sends you after creating your username and password. Contact helpdesk@amda.edu if you need to update the email that was used on your application.
6. Enter a username and password of your own choosing, then click Submit. The verification link will then be sent to the email from the previous step. Click the link in the email to bring you back to AMDA's Login form. Contact helpdesk@amda.edu if you do not receive the email.
7. Once your account is created and verified, log into your AMDA Student Portal with your new username and password
HOW DO I LOCATE FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN MY STUDENT PORTAL? +−

The Student Portal is an important tool for both students and parents to access the financial details of our program. From the Portal, you'll be able to view your current outstanding balance, any scholarship and/or financial assistance you have received, and any payments you have made towards the program. We have provided the Portal as a 24/7 access to the student's financial information that you can check from home. Please make sure to regularly check the Portal for updated financial information, as we do not send e-mail updates when an additional item has been posted.

To view your financial breakdown for the High School Virtual Conservatory, simply proceed to the My Account tab. Click on the Account Information sub-tab, and view your information under the Account Details button. You should then be able to view your details, as shown in the example below.

AMDA Student Portal