AMDA News

Introducing Chianti Blackmon, AMDA’s Vice President of EDI. [more]

Escape into these binge-worthy shows starring some of AMDA’s most prolific graduates. [more]

AMDA celebrates the talent, skill, and commitment of our graduates, who are doing incredibly worthwhile work all across the country and around the world. [more]

Former Central Park busker Elyssa Samsel finds that art does imitate life. [more]

AMDA celebrates the talent, skill, and commitment of our graduates, who are doing incredibly worthwhile work all across the country and around the world. [more]

Success for Zuri Foreman isn’t just personal achievement, it’s about lifting up entire communities. [more]

Congratulations to AMDA graduate J. Harrison Ghee and all productions featuring AMDA graduates nominated for 2023 Tony Awards! [more]

Congratulations to AMDA graduate J. Harrison Ghee and all productions featuring AMDA graduates nominated for 2023 Chita Rivera Awards! [more]

AMDA celebrates the talent, skill, and commitment of our graduates, who are doing incredibly worthwhile work all across the country and around the world. [more]

Congratulations to the AMDA graduates and all productions featuring AMDA graduates nominated for 2023 Drama Desk Awards! [more]

Congratulations to the AMDA graduates and all productions featuring AMDA graduates nominated for 2023 Outer Critics Circle Awards! [more]

Congratulations to the AMDA graduates and all productions featuring AMDA graduates nominated for 2023 Drama League Awards! [more]

AMDA celebrates the talent, skill, and commitment of our graduates, who are doing incredibly worthwhile work all across the country and around the world. [more]

AMDA graduates takes the crown. [more]

AMDA celebrates the talent, skill, and commitment of our graduates, who are doing incredibly worthwhile work all across the country and around the world. [more]

Janeeva Pettway is always prepared for the next step. [more]

AMDA celebrates the talent, skill, and commitment of our graduates, who are doing incredibly worthwhile work all across the country and around the world. [more]

Anabel Dueñas ensures that nothing is lost in translation. [more]

AMDA celebrates the talent, skill, and commitment of our graduates, who are doing incredibly worthwhile work all across the country and around the world. [more]

AMDA celebrates the talent, skill, and commitment of our graduates, who are doing incredibly worthwhile work all across the country and around the world. [more]

Asia Kate Dillon is changing the entertainment industry, one memorable performance at a time. [more]

AMDA celebrates the talent, skill, and commitment of our graduates, who are doing incredibly worthwhile work all across the country and around the world. [more]

Vasthy Mompoint is carving out a path to tell the best stories. [more]

AMDA celebrates the talent, skill, and commitment of our graduates, who are doing incredibly worthwhile work all across the country and around the world. [more]

Zhailon Levingston directs for advocacy, community and award-winning Broadway shows. [more]

AMDA celebrates the talent, skill, and commitment of our graduates, who are doing incredibly worthwhile work all across the country and around the world. [more]

AMDA celebrates the talent, skill, and commitment of our graduates, who are doing incredibly worthwhile work all across the country and around the world. [more]

The latest issue of The AMDA Magazine is now available online! [more]

Nominations have been announced for the first-ever Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. [more]

AMDA earns the #2 spot on Playbill.com's Big 10 2022 List: The 10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway in the 2021-2022 Season [more]

The AMDA community celebrates the life and legacy of Paul Sorvino, a giant in the entertainment industry and one of AMDA's inaugural graduates. [more]

Don't forget to watch the 75th Annual Tony Awards Ceremony celebrating the best of Broadway on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on CBS and Paramount+. [more]

The 75th Annual Tony Award nominations have been announced, recognizing achievement in Broadway productions during the 2021 - 2022 season. [more]

AMDA alumni and stars of Broadway's Hamilton visit our NYC campus for an in-depth discussion about how they got their starts after graduating AMDA, navigating the entertainment industry, and practical advice for today’s artists. [more]

The Emmy nominations are out and AMDA alumni are heavily represented throughout! AMDA Alumni Madeline Brewer (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Anthony Ramos (Hamilton) received their own nominations, while several alumni are featured in many of the nominated shows. [more]

3/1/21 UPDATE: See the list of AMDA alumni featured in major award categories, including two shows that won in their respective categories! [more]

Congratulations to all AMDA Alumni in productions nominated for 2021 Critics Choice Awards! [more]

Congratulations to all AMDA Alumni Featured in 2021 NAACP Awards Nominations! [more]

AMDA Alumni Featured in 2021 Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominations! [more]

AMDA Alumni Featured In 2021 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Nominations! [more]

Congratulations to all AMDA alumni in nominated categories for 2021 Grammy Awards! [more]

AMDA's National Director of Creative Programming, Marina Benedict, answers Backstage’s ongoing questionnaire as part of the "Reaching Higher" series! [more]

The AMDA On Broadway! series sits down with AMDA Alumnus Albert Guerzon ’00 to discuss his Broadway debut in MAMMA MIA! and forging one’s own path in the performing arts! [more]

Broadway may be dark for the foreseeable future, but the show must go on for the Tony Awards. [more]

The award-winning short film "CASHED" by AMDA Alumna Serena Ryen is an official selection of over a dozen film festivals nationwide. [more]

This week, the AMDA On Broadway! series takes a walk down memory lane with AMDA Alumnus Kyle Taylor Parker ‘08. Learn about Kyle’s “why” for being an actor, his journey to Broadway, and producing his debut solo album Broadway Soul. [more]

The AMDA On Broadway! series continues this week with AMDA Alumni Monica Cioffi ’15 AND Brittany Conigatti ’10, the choreographic team behind the A Bronx Tale national tour. Learn how Monica and Brittany transitioned into the world of musical theatre as multi-talented triple threat performers. [more]

Up next in our AMDA On Broadway! series, AMDA Alumna and Broadway star of COME FROM AWAY and ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, KENITA MILLER ‘00 discusses her illustrious career on Broadway and aspirations for the future! [more]

AMDA Alumna and Waitress star Stephanie Torns shares her incredible journey from children’s theatre, to the Wicked national tour, to starring as “Jenna” in Broadway’s Waitress. [more]

The On Broadway! series shines a spotlight on several alumni and how their time at AMDA has impacted their careers on Broadway and beyond. The launch of this series features alumnus and HAMILTON star Christopher Jackson.  [more]

AMDA Alumnus Jeremy Pope, has been nominated for an EMMY, Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie category, for his role in Netflix’s HOLLYWOOD! [more]

AMDA Alumna Sasha Calle has been nominated for a 2020 Daytime EMMY for OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERFORMER IN A DRAMA SERIES, ‘Young And The Restless.’ [more]

Experience the original Broadway Production of HAMILTON starring AMDA Alumni Christopher Jackson and Anthony Ramos! [more]

AMDA Performance Choir performs in "Dear Class of 2020" Youtube Livestream! [more]

Watch alumnus Christopher Jackson's patriotic rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." [more]

AMDA Alumni Catarina Kirst and Murilo Souza Ohl along with AMDA LA student Hosea Mundi, have advanced to the TOP 15 in BroadwayWorld’s Next on Stage Competition! [more]

AMDA alumna Caissie Levy will speak at AMDA's Spring 2020 commencement. [more]

AMDA Alumnus Christopher Jackson will speak at AMDA's Spring 2020 commencement. [more]

AMDA Alumni, Broadway sensation, and star of Netflix's 'Hollywood', Jeremy Pope, is on the cover of the current issue of Backstage Magazine. [more]

AMDA alumna Caissie Levy performs on ABC’s Disney Sing-a-Long last night as part of a virtual Disney On Broadway ensemble singing “You’ll Be In My Heart” [more]

Learn all about AMDA's virtual audition process and how to prepare yourself in this Facebook Live Workshop replay featuring AMDA Alumna and Broadway triple-threat, J. Elaine Marcos! [more]

In celebration of its 65-year legacy, the Drama Desk Awards will be announced during a presentation of NY1’s On Stage May 31 at 7:30 PM. The awards will also stream on NY1.com and DramaDeskAwards.com. [more]

AMDA alumna J. Elaine Marcos is no ordinary triple threat. From Broadway, to film and television, she has captivated audiences with her charm, wit, and brilliant comedic timing. [more]

Since graduating from AMDA’s Studio Program in 2016, Luca Malacrino has kept busy making his rounds through Hollywood. [more]

AMDA Alumnus Josh Drake shares his journey growing as a professional dancer and landing his current role as part of the ensemble of Disney's Aladdin on Broadway. [more]

Success in the arts is often a combination of talent, luck, persistence and hard work, qualities AMDA Los Angeles alumna Sasha Calle has in abundance. [more]

The talent and charisma of five AMDA Alumni will be showcased on stage at the 13th Annual Broadway’s Rising Stars concert, taking place at The Town Hall on Monday, July 22 at 8 p.m. [more]

Lights will shine bright on more than 40 AMDA Alumni who are scheduled to participate in the largest performing arts celebration in the US June 13th through June 30th during the 10th Annual Hollywood Fringe Festival. [more]

It’s a singer’s worst nightmare. In an AMDA New York classroom, a singer performs before their peers, the musical theatre instructor in the corner dissecting every note coming from their mouth. The music crescendos, the student belts the showstopping note — and cracks, their strained throat unable to cope with the stress placed upon it. Wincing, most onlookers choose to politely stare at their own music as the instructor corrects the mortified student. [more]

AMDA Alumnus Jeremy Pope has been nominated for the Drama League’s Distinguished Performance Award, an honor granted each year for excellence in theatre performance. In addition, seven productions in total featuring AMDA alumni have also been nominated. [more]

He’s been praised for his work on the Broadway stage, the runway, and on television. But it’s his most recent project on the digital screen that has scored AMDA Alumnus Sean Samuels his first Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series. [more]

AMDA honored and welcomed 200 new alumni to the family during two graduation ceremonies held in New York on February 2nd and Los Angeles on February 9th. [more]

Thank you to AMDA Alumnus Rizwan Manji for speaking at AMDA LA's Fall 2018 Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, February 9th. [more]

Thank you to alumna and FROZEN on Broadway star Caissie Levy for speaking at AMDA NY's Fall 2018 graduation ceremony Saturday, February 2nd. [more]

The Winter 2018-19 edition of AMDA Magazine is now available online! [more]

See photos from our AMDA LA Alumni Talkback featuring alums Bryce Charles, Esteban Dager, Jolene Fisher, and Cameron Armstrong. [more]

We're thrilled to announce and congratulate all AMDA alumni starring in critically acclaimed shows featured at this year's 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards! Read more about our alums and the characters they portray below. [more]

AMDA RANKS #4 on Playbill’s Big 10! [more]

Town Hall presents Broadway Rising Stars, a national showcase that introduces New York audiences to the next generation of up-and-coming talent as chosen by a panel of discerning judges from among the most outstanding new graduates from performing arts schools and departments throughout the country. The 2018 Rising Stars is spearheaded by Scott Siegel, creator/writer/host of Town Hall's beloved Broadway by the Year series.  [more]

From AMDA to Broadway, alumni Caissie Levy and Jacob Smith have been powerful forces in the performing arts world and beyond. We’d like to send a big congratulations to Caissie (Elsa) and Jacob (ensemble member) and the entire FROZEN cast on their opening night! [more]

This past spring, AMDA alumna Janaye Furman made history by becoming the first African American woman to model the opening look for Louis Vuitton. We caught up with Janaye to discuss life after Louis Vuitton and her future plans as a model and performer. [more]

4 AMDA Alumni, 1 AMDA Faculty Member, and a fabulous musical, Lin Manuel Miranda Style. - IN THE HEIGHTS at Musical Theatre West [more]

StageSceneLA is proud to announce the12th-annual SCENIES, presented each fall to the previous twelve months’ (September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017) most outstanding theater companies, productions, performances, direction, choreography, musical direction, & designs. Out of over 250 productions reviewed, these are the year’s most memorable achievements in Southern California theater. [more]

AMDA has been named #4 on Playbill’s top ten colleges currently being represented on Broadway. [more]

AMDA alumna and working actor Karlee Squires shares her personal experiences as a performer and tips on preparing for auditions. [more]

We recently sat down with AMDA alumna Karlee Squires to discuss ways of promoting yourself as a performer. Below are her tips for taking your performing arts career to the next level. [more]

Congratulations to our AMDA Rising Stars! Town Hall presents Broadway Rising Stars. [more]

AMDA alumna, Caissie Levy, will play the lead role of Elsa in the brand new musical adaptation of Disney’s Frozen. Disney’s Frozen, the film, won two Oscars in 2014: Best Song for “Let It Go” and Best Animated Feature.  The Broadway production is set to open at St. James Theatre in the spring of 2018. [more]

AMDA Alumni continue to be active and engaged in exciting performance opportunities. Here are some of the highlights! [more]

Forbes presents the Class of 2016: 600 of the brightest young entrepreneurs, breakout talents and change agents in 20 different sectors. Leading the way in the Hollywood and Entertainment category is AMDA’s own Anthony Ramos due in equal parts to his breakout performance in Hamilton and his amazing talent. [more]

AMDA alumni continue to be active and engaged in exciting performance opportunities. . . Here are some of the highlights. [more]

AMDA Would Like To thank actress Natalie Zea (“The Detour,” “The Following,” and “Justified,”) and award-winning actress Chandra Wilson (Dr. Miranda Bailey / “Grey’s Anatomy.”) for speaking at AMDA's 2016 commencement ceremony! [more]

AMDA named to the Top 10 of performing arts colleges by Playbill. [more]

To save actors from losing precious time—and sanity—Megan partnered with her husband Matthew Rybicki to release Bookster, a new app that redefines the convoluted audition process.

Available on the iTunes store, Bookster helps actors discover, manage and map their theatre auditions. Currently designed for iPhone users, Bookster offers a real-time list of daily auditions, which users can organize, take notes on and discuss with other actors via the app’s interface.

[more]

Immense congratulations to alumnus Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who after eight years will return to perform on Broadway in Becky Mode’s culinary comedy Fully Committed! Jesse will play not one but 40 different characters of various ages, genders and ethnicities packed into one 90-minute performance. [more]

Christopher Jackson’s spitting rhymes for charity. At the 27th annual Gypsy of the Year Competition, Hamilton star and AMDA alum Jackson took the stage with Lin Manuel Miranda and Wayne Brady in a freestyle rap session before a cheering audience. [more]

Several AMDA alumni performed at the 89th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, where NBC highlighted such shows as On Your Feet!, The King and I, Finding Neverland, Something Rotten!, Fiddler on the Roof and School of Rock. [more]

The fab-in-drag musical sensation Kinky Boots continues its ever-growing list of starring AMDA alumni! After originally featuring as an Angel on Broadway, Kyle Taylor Parker (In The Heights), who played leading-lady Lola since the beginning of the first national tour, returned to the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on Broadway to replace Tony-winner Billy Porter for three months earlier this year. [more]

The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre’s stage reveals a seedy motel room in the Mojave Desert, the leaking A/C unit staining the wallpaper which peels over a narrow, hard mattress. The play centers around lovers May (Nina) and Eddie (Sam Rockwell), an on/off couple whose secrets from each other threaten to destroy them. [more]

Be an enchanted feather duster, see the world. Delighting audiences across the globe, AMDA alumnae are now performing in the national and world tours of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. [more]

Four AMDA alumni are on the road with the upcoming touring production of Bullets Over Broadway, the hit musical by Woody Allen and Susan Stroman. [more]

AMDA’s illustrious alumna Chandra Lee Schwartz has landed a starring role in a world premiere...again. [more]

Broadway Rising Stars, an annual celebration of “the brightest talent" chosen from top college and conservatory performing arts programs, performs Monday, July 13, 2015, at 8 p.m. This spectacular display of young, gifted, up-and-coming professionals takes place at The Town Hall in New York City, a non-profit national landmark founded by suffragists in 1921. [more]

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play Disgraced, by Ayad Akhtar, opens next Thursday, October 23, at the Lyceum Theatre, with a limited number of rush tickets sold on the day of each performance. The cast includes AMDA alumna Gretchen Mol, Hari Dhillon, Joshua Radnor, Karen Pittman and Danny Ashok. Disgraced, which won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and an Obie Award for Playwriting, is about “an affluent Muslim-American couple living in New York City, whose views on race, relationships and identity are left shattered after a dinner party with a co-worker and her husband.” [more]

“As the fattest kid in school, Tommy lives a lonely, living nightmare. When the skinny kids' taunting goes too far, Tommy takes revenge without amends. A dark spoken-word musical diving into the lunchtime of life, where bullies are delicious.” This describes the core story of the musical Fatty Fatty No Friends, playing at what is considered the largest mutli-arts festival in North America, FringeNYC (The New York International Fringe Festival). For two weeks, according to the organization, more than 200 companies descend on Lower Manhattan from all over the world to perform a variety of works in more than 20 venues. [more]

Since reissuing his recent EP Tattoos as the phenomenal full-length album Talk Dirty, along with its title track of the same name, AMDA alumnus Jason Derulo is once again raking in the award nominations. Most recently, he received two MTV Video Music Award nominations for Best Pop Video (“Talk Dirty”) and Best Choreography (“Talk Dirty”). Previously, in 2010, Derulo was nominated for two MTV VMAs for his song “In My Head.” In addition to these VMA nods, Derulo received four nominations for the Teen Choice Awards that will air on August 10. [more]

AMDA is pleased to announce that alumna Caissie Levy will be our AMDA New York graduation speaker on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 11 am at Church of St. Paul the Apostle in NYC. [more]

Congratulations to alumna Tyne Daly nominated for a Best Actress Tony Award for her portrayal of Katherine Gerard in Terrance McNally's play Mothers and Sons on Broadway, and congratulations to all of our alumni who are in Tony nominated productions! [more]

AMDA congratulates all of our alumni nominated for Drama League Awards! Alumnus Christopher Sieber announced the award nominations alongside actress Judith Light. Alumnus Jesse Tyler Ferguson will host the ceremony in New York on May 16, 2014. The Drama League Awards are the oldest theatrical awards in America, chosen by thousands of audience members who attend Broadway and off-Broadway productions each year. [more]

Congratulations to AMDA alumnus Jason Derulo on this week's release of his third album, Talk Dirty, and the accompanying fanfare of press and appearances. Jason was featured on the Yahoo homepage and performed an iheartradio release concert. [more]

AMDA congratulates alumna Sarah Stiles on her 2014 Lucille Lortel Award nomination for "Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play" for her role as Jessica in the off-Broadway play Hand To God. [more]

Join us for a day of classes created specifically for our AMDA alumni, an opportunity to brush up on your skills and network with your fellow AMDA graduates. [more]

This special hour-long presentation of dramatic scenes will feature AMDA graduates Erin Dowling, Michael Hauschild, and Jon McCormick. [more]

Congratulations to AMDA alumnus Kyle Scatliffe who has been nominated for a 2014 Olivier Award for BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL for his portrayal of Haywood Patterson in the London West End production of The Scottsboro Boys! Kyle performed in The Scottsboro Boys throughout its West End run from October 18 to December 21, 2013. Directed by the multiple Tony Award winning Susan Stroman, the production is nominated for a total of 6 Awards. According to The London Evening Standard “the stand-out performance comes from the imposing Kyle Scatliffe as Haywood Patterson...," The Daily Mail called Kyle “charismatic” and says “Haywood’s songs Go Back Home and You Can’t Do Me are among the best of the numbers," and the Guardian UK proclaimed "The cast is dominated by the outstanding Kyle Scatliffe as Haywood Patterson – tall, commanding and with a hotline-to-heaven of a voice." [more]

Nathan Reid, an AMDA graduate, has been acting, writing, and producing films for over 10 years. In 2004, Nathan wrote and sold his first script, Snowman Assassin. In 2005, he executive produced and starred in his first film Old Man Music, starring Geoffrey Lewis and J.A. Preston, which won the Gold Metal for Excellence at the Park City Music Festival and various other awards of recognition. In 2008, Nathan created Prey: The Beginning; a comic book franchise. The first issue was listed #3 in the top ten sales ranking for Independent comics. In 2013, Nathan formed Reinventing Films with producing partner Jodie Bentley, and then merged with Moving Pictures Media Group in early 2014. RF and MPMG have slates of films in all stages of production and look forward to their growing partnership. [more]

We are proud to announce alumnus Rizwan Manji ("Outsourced," "Arrested Development") as a speaker at our AMDA Los Angeles Open House on March 1, 2014, along with alumnus Sam Underwood ("The Following," "Dexter") who will speak at our AMDA New York Campus! [more]

Meet AMDA graduate Sam Underwood. You may have seen him recently on Showtime’s award-winning TV series “Homeland” as Leo Carras or on the final season of “Dexter,” as Dexter’s killer protégé Zach Hamilton.  Sam recently made his debut on “The Following” as the handsome and creepy set of murderous twins, Luke and Mark. His plot-twisting performance sent the mainstream media, blogs and social media world buzzing, further confirming that Sam is a star on the rise! [more]

Congratulations to alumnus Kyle Scatliffe who has been nominated by the British publication WhatsOn Stage for their "London Newcomer of the Year" award! Kyle has been receiving rave reviews for his performance as Haywood Patterson in The Scottsboro Boys on London's West End and he will soon be starring in his first Broadway production, as Enjolras, in next year's anticipated revival of Les Miserables. [more]

In the last two years, AMDA alumnae Theresa Murray and Julie Furrer both received full scholarships to dance with the esteemed Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. The festival takes place every summer in the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts and it is recognized worldwide as a "hub and mecca of dancing" (TIME Magazine). It offers training to dancers with the opportunity to interact and work with top dance companies and choreographers, over 200 free performances, speakers and a range of events. Dance icon, Mikhail Baryshnikov, called it "one of America's most precious cultural assets." The Jacob's Pillow website states, " 'The Pillow' is a treasured 220-acre National Historic Landmark, a recipient of the prestigious National Medal of Arts, and home to America's longest-running international dance festival." One might simply call it the premiere cultural center for dance. [more]

Originating as an AMDA Student Vision Project, this production has continued to evolve. Now, Eleventh Story Productions presents BASH, a trio of unforgettable personal accounts that depict dark, unblinking portraits of the complexities of evil in everyday life.” [more]

Alumnus Kyle Scatliffe is currently starring in the U.K. premiere production of Kander and Ebb's The Scottsboro Boys, directed by Susan Stroman, at The Young Vic Theatre on London's West End. [more]

AMDA alumna Natalie Zea is an actor known for her versatility, her depth of artistry and her flawless character portrayals. Natalie’s diverse career already includes over 35 TV and film credits. Natalie currently stars in Fox’s hit series, “The Following,” as Claire Matthews, love interest to Kevin Bacon’s broken hero. Many also recognize her from her performances in the FX series “Justified,” in which she plays Winona Hawkins, and as heiress Karen Darling on ABC’s “Dirty Sexy Money.” Her many recurring TV roles include Jemma on “Hung,” Carrie on “Californication,” Michael Chiklis’ complicated love interest Lauren on “The Shield” and as bad girl Maxine in the CBS drama “Under The Dome.” [more]

AMDA graduate Ben Cotton will play the recurring role of Tweedle Dum in "Once Upon A Time: Wonderland," the new ABC TV series debuting October 10, 2013. [more]

Alumnus Lee Tergesen will speak at the Graduation Ceremony for AMDA New York's Summer 2013 graduating class, on Saturday October 5, 2013. [more]

AMDA congratulates alumna Kelly McCormack an internationally nominated screenwriter opening one of the most prestigious music and film festivals on her first film out of the box! Kelly's new film PLAY will have its  World Premiere at the Williamsburg International Film Festival  selected as the Opening Night Gala Feature film on Sept 19th. The film will also screen at the TriBeCa Film Centre in the Bootleg Film Festival on Sept 20th. After that Kelly will fly to LA for two more festivals and then to London where the film is nominated for Best Feature Film, Best Soundtrack and Best Original Screenplay. [more]

Last year the Huffington Post named him one of the top five emerging composers to know and hear and Broadway World recently said, “In a period of two years on the New York scene, Davis's music has become lauded and sought after internationally." [more]

Congratulations to AMDA alumna Vasthy Mompoint who is currently in the new musical Soul Doctor, her 5th Broadway show! Vasthy plays the role of the blind guitarist and is understudy for the lead role of Nina Simone. Prior to Soul Doctor, Vasthy was a featured dancer/ensemble in Ghost the Musical on Broadway. Additional Broadway credits include: Good Vibrations, Hot Feat and Mary Poppins. [more]

AMDA Congratulates Alumnus Jesse Tyler Ferguson on his 4th Emmy Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series! [more]

AMDA alumnus Jeremy Pope has been praised in the New York Times for the third time in recent months, due to his breakout performance in the lead role of Pharus in the new gospel music-themed play Choir Boy, currently running at the Manhattan Theatre Club in NYC. In the most recent article, Jeremy is interviewed in a profile with a headline proclaiming him "A Breakout, Onstage and at Home." In it, Jeremy talks about his experience in the critically-acclaimed production along with what it it took to get there. [more]

Congratulations to all of our AMDA alumni in award-winning shows this season! [more]

AMDA Los Angeles and New York campuses hosted a round of Spring 2013 Alumni Workshops, offering a free day of classes to all AMDA Alumni. Some photos from both events are posted below. [more]

For those students who are interested in pursuing their Master of Fine Arts Degree after graduating from AMDA, here is a sampling of the Master’s Degree granting institutions which recognize our National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) BFA Program accreditation: Yale, Julliard School, Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University, Brown University, The New School, University of North Carolina, University of Georgia, Ohio University, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of New Mexico, and Boston Conservatory. All applicants are subject to the requirements of the individual schools to which they apply. [more]

We were thrilled to catch up with our recent AMDA alumna Gabriela Garcia who has been a very busy lady since graduating with her BFA in Acting from AMDA in Fall 2012. Gabriela is currently the reigning Miss Tarzana (a city suburb of Los Angeles) and will soon be leaving to compete for the Miss California title. She will also be starting at USC this fall where she will be working toward her MFA degree. Gabriela grew up in Lancaster, California, which surprisingly enough was also Judy Garland’s hometown – a little fact that she likes to think of as good luck! [more]

AMDA is proud to announce the premiere issue of our revamped magazine, Spotlight. As "The Magazine of the AMDA Community," Spotlight features campus news and events, photo galleries, informative features and interviews, and updates on alumni and faculty. [more]

Congratulations to AMDA alumnus Christopher Jackson who is nominated for his third Daytime Emmy Award nomination for “Outstanding Original Song–Children and Animation” for his work in composing the tune “Queen of Nacho Pichu” for Sesame Street on PBS! Christopher co-composed the song alongside Bill Sherman, with lyrics by Joey Mazzarino. [more]

AMDA Congratulates all of our alumni in nominated for Tony, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League and Drama Desk Awards! Check out the list of AMDA alumni in nominated productions. [more]

AMDA LA Stage Combat Department works to train AMDA students and alumni in a variety of fight techniques as part of a top notch program that is recognized by the internationally renowned Society of American Fight Directors. In addition to our current AMDA students, any AMDA alumnus who has taken up to Stage Combat 3 is welcome to submit him or herself for the opportunity to come back and prepare for the Skills Proficiency Test with AMDA faculty Lacy Altwine. [more]

AMDA Alumnus Justin Key is an actor, a mathematician and an entrepreneur. He will co-star in an upcoming production with Marla Gibbs from "The Jeffersons" and "227", Chico Brenneman from "Half and Half" and many others. He is also the face of Walmart, and co-starred on "8 Days a Week" on BET, a sitcom about young moguls in the making. Justin recently spoke about his experiences to our alumni at our most recent Alumni Workshop day in Los Angeles. We asked him to be a guest blogger so we could share his insight with all of our AMDA community. [more]

Join us for a day of classes created specifically for our AMDA alumni. This is a great opportunity to brush up on your skills and network with fellow alumni. This round of classes will be taught by AMDA alumni Chandra Lee Schwartz, Chryssie Whitehead and Jordan McKirahan. [more]

Congratulations to AMDA alumni Christian Marriner and Leah Beth Bolton on their engagement! Christian proposed to Leah Beth on stage after his performance in Shrek in Paducah, KY on January 30, 2013. Christian currently plays Lord Farquaad in the national tour of Shrek. Christian and Leah Beth originally met in the hallways of AMDA! ♥ [more]

AMDA congratulates our alumni starring in the Rock of Ages National Tour! [more]

Congratulations to AMDA alumnus Brett Davern on his People's Choice Award! His show "Awkward" took home the award for "Favorite Cable TV Comedy"! Brett stars as Jake Rosatti in the MTV show which is in its third season. [more]

Congratulations to AMDA alumna Becca Tobin who joins the cast of "Glee" on Fox TV as Kitty, the newest cheerleader! Becca is from Marietta, Georgia. She too was a cheerleader in middle school before she went on to study dance. Becca graduated from AMDA in 2005, after which she performed in Rock of Ages on Broadway and the National Tour, and toured with the Trans-Siberian orchestra. "Glee" is Becca's TV debut! [more]

AMDA salutes alumna Rosemary Doyle, who founded The Red Sandcastle Theatre in Toronto, Canada. In their first year up and running, the theatre has already produced over 60 productions and has had three Dora nominations and one win! [more]

On Thursday October 18, 2012 our new AMDA LA students were treated to an orientation week Q&A with AMDA alumnus Stephen Kramer Glickman. Stephen currently stars on the Nickelodeon TV show “Big Time Rush” as record executive Gustavo Rocque. Stephen is a multi-talented renaissance man. Not only is he an accomplished actor, but he is also a stand-up comedian, a Broadway performer, pianist, producer, and a clothing designer. [more]

Congratulations to AMDA alumna Zoi Florosz  who recently received Independent Spirit Award at the Monaco International Film Festival for Brushstrokes, a film she directed,choreographed and produced. Brushstrokes also took home Best Independent Film at the Winter Film Awards in NYC in 2012 and was an official selection at Queens World Film Festival. Brushtrokes will screen at the TriBeca Film Center in NYC on October 17th. [more]

AMDA alumnus Donovan Jones and his wife Rebecca Peache recently performed on America's Got Talent" where they made it to the semi-finals with their breathtaking acrobatic and aerial routines. [more]

When alumnus Michael Ian Cedar graduated from AMDA he took a part in the National Tour of Fiddler on the Roof. After his initial elation and 10 performances in, Michael walked into the Company Manager’s office and declared “I’m not sure this gig is for me, how do I learn how to do your job”? Michael was offered the Assistant Manager position and says he felt like Dori in Finding Nemo, completely oblivious but utterly in his element. Michael is now a successful producer at StarQuest International and is also producing a concert of Mercy Street through his own production company Ask Yourself Productions. [more]

AMDA alumnus Marti Gould Cummings is a New York cabaret performer who has quickly made a name for himself. He currently hosts four shows a week in the city, bringing in some of the most sought after Broadway Stars as guests. After Proposition 8 was passed in California (a ballot proposition elimating the rights of same sex couples to marry), Marti co-founded the organization Broadway Speaks OUT to create a forum for those on Broadway to speak out on behalf of the LGBT community. Marti has interviewed a bevy of stars for Broadway Speaks OUT including Bette Midler and Rosie O'Donnell, and has produced and hosted several successful fundraisers. In a relatively short period of time on the scene, Marti has carved out a successful career for himself. We talked to Marti to get his take on the business and find out what it takes to set yourself apart in a sea of performers. [more]

Congratulations to AMDA Faculty member Michael Zelniker and our AMDA alumni in Falling... for taking home the Best of Festival Award at Indie Fest USA International Film Festival! [more]

AMDA alumna Mary Knickle has been a performer, an accomplished musician and now as a composer, she has written and produced her first musical based upon the legend of Morgan Le Fay. Maritime Concert Opera in Halifax, Canada presented the first workshop performance o Morgan Le Fay featuring 13 cast members in November of 2011. We caught up with Mary to talk to her about her time as a student at AMDA along with her inspiration for creating a new Celtic musical and where she will go with it next. [more]

AMDA is proud to announce BROADWAY’S STARS 2012 performing in concert at Town Hall in NYC on July 23rd! [more]

AMDA celebrates alumnus Jason Bergund, best-selling author! Jason has written 8 books with his writing partner and wife Beverly West, including Please Don't Feed the Daisy: Living, Loving, and Losing Weight with the World's Hungriest Dog, Pug Therapy: Finding Happiness, One Pug at a Time and What Pets Do While You're at Work. Yes, he often writes about his real life adventures with his family of beloved dogs. [more]

Congratulations to alumna Julie Furrer who just graduated with a BFA in Dance Theatre-Spring 2012 and booked her first professional job at the MUNY in St. Louis, Missouri - before graduating! [more]

AMDA Celebrates Our Alumni in New and Upcoming TV Shows: Bailey Buntain, Tanya Memme, Lee Tergesen, Natalie Zea and Jake Speck! [more]

Nina Arianda took home her first Tony Award for "Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play" at the 2012 Tony Awards on Sunday night in NYC. Nina originated the award-winning role of Vanda in David Ives’ "Venus in Fur" off-Broadway in 2010, before taking it to Broadway in 2012. [more]

AMDA alumnus Stefan Blomquist came to the AMDA New York campus all the way from Sweden to study and become a performer. After graduation, Stefan went on to pursue photography and then film. He formed his own production company, IDA, with two fellow AMDA alumni. Their first short film, MISS D, will premiere at the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival. We spoke to Stefan just as he arrived at Cannes to ask him how he made the leap from performing to making films? [more]

The 2012 Tony Award nominations are announced. AMDA salutes all of our outstanding alumni in Tony Award nominated shows! A special congratulations to alumna Nina Arianda who is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for her portrayal of Vanda in Venus in Fur! This is Nina’s second Tony nomination in a row. She was nominated in 2011 for her performance as Billie Dawn in Born Yesterday. Venus in Fur also received a Tony nomination for Best Play. [more]

The 2012 Drama Desk Award nominations have been announced. AMDA congratulates all of our alumni in nominated productions! The 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards will take place on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 8:00 PM at The Town Hall in Manhattan. [more]

The 78^th Annual Drama League Award nominations have been announced. AMDA congratulates our two alumna nominated for the Distinguished Performance Award along with our six alumni in nominated productions! [more]

The 62^nd annual Outer Critics Circle Award nominations are in. AMDA is proud to announce that we have one alumna nominated for Outstanding Actress and nine alumni in six nominated productions! [more]

AMDA alumni Victoria Mallory and Kurt Peterson met while attending AMDA New York in the 1960's.  In the summer of 1968 Victoria and Kurt were cast, from hundreds of hopefuls, by Leonard Bernstein and Richard Rodgers, as Maria and Tony in the first major revival of West Side Story at Lincoln Center. Both went on to have phenomenal careers and their story has become that of Broadway legend. [more]

AMDA congratulates graduate Renee Barnett (2006), co-founder of the New York Children’s Theater Festival which will kick off in April in NYC! The new festival, created to celebrate and promote the art of children’s theater, will premiere on April 20 and run through May 5 at The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater in Manhattan. Go Green! Prince Charming's Quest for Love and Ecology in NYC, Scheme of the Superbullies and The Velveteen Rabbit were chosen as this year’s participants by a judging panel of over 30 industry professionals including Kevin ("Elmo") Clash, Cheryl Henson (President, The Henson Foundation), John Tartaglia (Emmy, Tony, and Drama Desk Award nominated actor, producer, puppeteer), Thomas Schumacher (President, Disney Theatrical Productions), and Michael Jung, (Vice President, Theatrical Development, Walt Disney Imagineering). [more]

It is no mystery why Wicked is one of the most popular musicals in history, going strong on Broadway for nine years, on London’s West End for five years, with five additional North American seated productions, including two national tours currently crisscrossing the country, as well as several international productions in Japan, Germany and Australia. Wicked has won over 35 major awards, including three Tony Awards and a Grammy Award, with Entertainment Weekly declaring it “The Best Musical of the Decade” and Variety concurring that it is “a cultural phenomenon.” AMDA has had eleven alumni perform in Wicked thus far. [more]

AMDA graduate Devanand Janki (1989) will direct and choreograph the upcoming Kennedy Center production of The Wings of Ikarus Jackson, running February 4-9, 2012 at the Kennedy Center’s Family Theater. The play is a combination of dance and theater, adapted by writer Jerome Hairston from the colorful children’s book Wings by Christopher Myers. [more]

Jennifer Garza graduated from the AMDA NYC Integrated program in Spring 2008. Upon graduation, Jennifer realized her passion was in voice and speech work. She traveled to London to continue her studies at the Central School of Speech and Drama at the University of London, while also teaching Shakespeare, phonetics, accents and voice and speech at several local colleges. After receiving her MFA, Jennifer has returned to NYC and is now teaching and consulting privately with actors who want further VPS training, accent/dialect work, or monologue coaching. She specializes in Shakespearean speech. AMDA students might recognize her from some of their warm-ups in Joe Goscinski’s VPS classes. We spoke with Jennifer to find out more about how she came to her path in VPS education. [more]

Melissa Johnston graduated from AMDA in 2009. Since then she has appeared in the feature films Barely Legal (just released on DVD), and Water for Elephants. Recently Melissa moved back to her hometown of Detroit, Michigan so she could be close to her ailing grandmother. She has been working steadily in regional theatre in the city, acting in two plays, Caught Up, a family drama, and The Corridor, an urban drama about addiction. The latter is a trilogy of plays that has a matching set of films that go into production early next year. She is also acting for Made in Peril Productions, which produces superhero short films, and works as the spokesmodel for Rink Warriors, a company that hosts roller derby events. [more]

Casey Colgan (AMDA Dance Faculty) is directing Dream Girls at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina in Hilton Head Island, SC. The production will open on September 30th and features SEVEN AMDA alumni! Also of note, the cast will be dressed in costumes from the original Broadway production of Dream Girls, designed by the late Oscar and Tony Award winning costume designer Theoni V. Aldredge. [more]

Canadian Actress Isabelle Giroux graduated from AMDA in the Fall of 2008 in Los Angeles. Isabelle has been working steadily in Canadian Theatre, Film, TV, and Commercials. We asked her about her experience at AMDA and what it is like for her working as an actor in Canada. [more]

Congratulations to AMDA Alum Jesse Tyler Ferguson and the entire cast and crew of ABC's "Modern Family" for taking home the Best Comedy Series Emmy Award for the second year in a row! Overall "Modern Family" took home a total of five Emmy awards this year including... [more]