AMDA | Certificate in Acting for Stage, Film, & TV

Professional Certificate Program in Acting for Film, Television, and Media.

- Offered on the New York Campus
- Accelerated Option Allows for Degree Completion in 1.5 years
- Access to a Variety of Workshop and Performance Opportunities
- Culminates in an Original Showcase Production in New York City

Program Description +−

The Studio Certificate Program is a rigorous four-term practice-driven curriculum designed to prepare students for a career as a working actor. Students will learn the essential concepts and techniques of effective movement, vocal control, and character development. Training begins with a focus on the actor’s imagination and an exploration of his or her inner resources as they relate to the external demands of the craft. Students are then quickly challenged to apply learned techniques — such as composing a visual and vocal score — to portray rich, believable characters. In the final term, coursework is focused on industry and career preparation, including an original showcase production experience. Each showcase is crafted based on the unique and individual cast members assigned as a company. This specialized fourth-term curriculum prepares actors to enter the performing industry with skill, confidence, and a professional work ethic.

Program Learning Outcomes +−

Students completing the Studio Certificate program should be able to:

- Create convincing, compelling characters performed with vocal, physical, and emotional specificity.
- Demonstrate the use of objectives, obstacles, actions, subtext, and text.
- Speak in a supported manner, free of tension and appropriate to the demands of theatre, television, and film.
- Stand and move utilizing an aligned spine, free of unintended physical tension and mannerisms.
- Apply historical insight and critical analysis to the performance of texts from a variety of periods, styles, and genres.
- Demonstrate ability to positively and effectively apply acting adjustments as directed.
- Apply standard entertainment industry business practices regarding preparation, communication, and professionalism.
- Engage in a collaborative production process.

Curriculum +−

Sample Curriculum

Year One Sample Curriculum

clock hours/course ↓

Total Clock Hours468.0
clock hours/week ↓ First Term
5250 Acting I: Beginning Scene Study 5.0 75.0
5255 Acting I: Techniques 5.0 75.0
5257 Living Masterpieces of the Stage I 2.0 30.0
5265 Improvisation I 4.0 60.0
5266 Alexander Techniques I 2.0 30.0
5400 Voice Production and Speech I 4.0 60.0
5550 Dance and Movement for the Actor I 3.0 45.0
5800 Stage Combat I 3.0 45.0
5101 Critical Analysis I: Acting and the Rehearsal Process 1.0 18.0
Elective Option (choose one): 2.0 30.0
5255 Acting I: Techniques
5690 Actor’s Choice Singing Technique
5590 Actor’s Choice Dance

clock hours/course ↓

Total Clock Hours483.0
clock hours/week ↓ Second Term
6250 Acting II: Period Scene Study 5.0 75.0
6267 Acting II: Contemporary Scene Study 5.0 75.0
6257 Living Masterpieces of the Stage II 2.0 30.0
6260 Acting for Camera I 4.0 60.0
6265 Improvisation II 4.0 60.0
6400 Voice Production and Speech II 4.0 60.0
6551 Dance and Movement for the Actor II 2.0 30.0
6101 Critical Analysis II: Acting and Theatrical Analysis 1.0 18.0
6800 Stage Combat II 3.0 45.0
Total First Year Clock Hours951.0

Year Two Sample Curriculum

clock hours/course ↓

Total Clock Hours467.0
clock hours/week ↓ Third Term
7250 Acting III: Advanced Scene Study 7.0 98.0
7260 Acting for Camera II 5.0 70.0
7265 Improvisation III 4.0 56.0
7280 Heroic Acting 4.0 56.0
7400 Voice Production and Speech III 4.0 56.0
7550 Dance and Movement for the Actor III 3.0 42.0
7101 Professional Development: Buisness of the Actor 2.0 47.0
7800 Stage Combat III 3.0 42.0

clock hours/course ↓

Total Clock Hours459.0
clock hours/week ↓ Fourth Term
8010 Final Film Project 6 hrs / 13 days 78.0
8055 Performance Workshop: Conception to Production** 6 hrs / 13 days; 3 hrs / 1 day 81.0
8101 Career Preperation 5 hrs / 1 week 5.0
8200 Drama Performance Showcase** 27.5 hrs / 5 weeks 145.0
8201 Acting IV: Rehearsal Projects 6 hrs / 5 days 30.0
8260 Auditioning for Film and Television 4 hrs / 3 weeks 12.0
8261 Audition Techniques 2 hrs / 4 weeks 8.0
8264 Improvologues 4 hrs / 3 weeks; 2 hrs / 1 week 14.0
8267 Monologues for Auditions 12 hrs / 3 weeks; 15 hrs / 1 week 51.0
8400 Advanced Voice and Speech 4 hrs / 3 weeks; 2 hrs / 1 week 14.0
8550 Audition Movement 2 hrs / 4 weeks 8.0
8800 Stage Combat IV 2 hrs / 3 weeks; 7 hrs / 1 week 13.0
Total Second Year Clock Hours926.0
Total Program Clock Hours1877.0

*Showcase hours per week are shown as regular hours. Calculations include Production Week and Saturday Technical Rehearsals equaling 7.5 additional hours.
**Workshop hours per week are shown as regular hours. Calculations include Production Weekend equaling 15 additional hours.

Admission Requirements +−

Domestic

International

Please note that applying to AMDA is a multi-step process. Be sure to follow ALL 6 steps below to ensure the submission of a successful application.

Submit Your Application +−

To apply, you must be at least 16 years old and/or in the final two years of high school/secondary education*.
Apply Now

AMDA also accepts applications from CommonApp and Royall VIP. If you have already applied through one of our partners, you do not need to apply again through our website.

* If you are not yet 16, we would encourage you to consider attending the AMDA High School Conservatory.
Complete Your AMDA Audition +−

Admission and scholarship consideration to AMDA require an audition. AMDA offers a robust calendar of auditions including regional auditions, campus auditions, live-online auditions and video submissions. Scheduling your audition will prompt a phone call with one of our enrollment specialists to help you prepare for a successful audition.
IMPORTANT NOTE: To better prepare for your AMDA audition, we strongly encourage ALL applicants to review the Audition Instructions page prior to scheduling an audition or submitting a video submission.
Schedule Audition
Phone interview with Admissions +−

This interview is an opportunity for us to get to know you, your educational background, and your interest in attending AMDA. We will be calling you, but if you would like to schedule an appointment for this interview, please email admissionsteam@amda.edu with the best day, time, and phone number to reach you.
SUBMIT YOUR PERSONAL ESSAY +−

Towards the bottom of the application, space is provided for you to write a personal essay (500 words minimum) on the following topic: "Describe a challenging experience in your life and what you learned from it." Remember, this is an important part of your application, so answer thoughtfully!

If you submitted your application but still need to submit your essay, click the button below.

Submit Your Essay
Submit One Letter of Recommendation +−

Please request and submit two letters of recommendation from teachers, school leaders, guidance counselors, coaches, or anyone familiar with your background and potential. Your recommendation letter must be written in English and signed and dated. To help with this process, please feel free to use AMDA's recommendation form by clicking the link below. Recommendation letters/forms may be submitted via email to docs@amda.edu or by mailing to the address on the form.

Recommendation Form
Submit Your Academic Records (Transcripts) +−
Send an official transcript from your high school and (if applicable) college. Official transcripts from every educational institution that you listed in your application must be forwarded to AMDA. Please select one of the following options for submitting your official transcripts:
1. If your high school or college uses the free service Parchment, please click below.
  
  Parchment Request
2. If your high school or college does not use Parchment, please send the transcript request form to your guidance counselor/transcript office and request that they send your transcript(s) to AMDA using the address on the form.
  
  Transcript Request
Important Note: The minimum grade point average (GPA) required for AMDA's programs is 2.0 out of 4.0 or its equivalent in other grading systems.

Please note that applying to AMDA is a multi-step process. Be sure to follow ALL 7 steps below to ensure the submission of a successful application.

Submit Your Application +−

To apply, you must be at least 16 years old and/or in the final two years of high school/secondary education*.
Apply Now

AMDA also accepts applications from CommonApp and Royall VIP. If you have already applied through one of our partners, you do not need to apply again through our website.

* If you are not yet 16, we would encourage you to consider attending the AMDA High School Conservatory.
Complete Your AMDA Audition +−

Admission and scholarship consideration to AMDA require an audition. AMDA offers a robust calendar of auditions including regional auditions, campus auditions, live-online auditions and video submissions. Scheduling your audition will prompt a phone call with one of our enrollment specialists to help you prepare for a successful audition.
IMPORTANT NOTE: To better prepare for your AMDA audition, we strongly encourage ALL applicants to review the Audition Instructions page prior to scheduling an audition or submitting a video submission.
Schedule Audition
Phone interview with Admissions +−

This interview is an opportunity for us to get to know you, your educational background, and your interest in attending AMDA. We will be calling you, but if you would like to schedule an appointment for this interview, please email admissionsteam@amda.edu with the best day, time, and phone number to reach you.
SUBMIT YOUR PERSONAL ESSAY +−

Towards the bottom of the application, space is provided for you to write a personal essay (500 words minimum) on the following topic: "Describe a challenging experience in your life and what you learned from it." Remember, this is an important part of your application, so answer thoughtfully!

If you submitted your application but still need to submit your essay, click the button below.

Submit Your Essay
Submit One Letter of Recommendation +−

Request a Letter of Recommendation from your teacher, guidance counselor, director, coach or anyone familiar with your work and potential as an actor, singer, or dancer. Your recommendation letter must be written in English and signed and dated by the person making the recommendation. AMDA has a recommendation form that you can send to your reference to facilitate the process. Recommendation letters/forms may be submitted via email to docs@amda.edu or by mailing to the address on the form.

Recommendation Form
Submit Your Academic Records (Transcripts) +−
The minimum grade point average (GPA) required for AMDA's 2-year and 4-year programs is 2.0 out of 4.0 or its equivalent on other grading systems. The following requirements are effective as of November 30, 2018.
1. Official transcripts and academic records or certified copies of your academic records MUST be mailed to AMDA at the address below in an unopened, sealed envelope, even if you have emailed us your unofficial transcripts.
2. Unofficial transcripts are ONLY accepted to facilitate making an expedited decision on your application. Unofficial transcripts can be emailed to docs@amda.edu.
3. International applicants who have already graduated from high school and/or who have taken any post-secondary college-level course work must send their Academic Records (transcripts and diplomas from all educational institutions attended) with proof of graduation.
4. International applicants who have not yet graduated from high school must submit an in-progress academic record (transcript) up to and including the most recent term or year that they have completed, along with an official letter from their high school stating the applicant's intended graduation date, and including a notarized translation if the records are not in English.
5. If your transcripts and academic records are not in English, you must submit an official, notarized, word-for-word, literal translation for all academic records (transcripts and diplomas). Translations can be done in your home country by a bona fide translator.
6. Final, official academic records must be received by AMDA in a sealed envelope before the start of classes-along with any translations-as noted above. Documents can be received by registered mail or by courier, to ensure there is a tracking number, sent electronically via Parchment by the school, or hand-delivered at AMDA's class registration. Official certified copies of all academic records can be submitted in lieu of original records.
AMDA mailing and email address:
AMDA – Records Department
211 West 61st Street
New York, NY 10023
docs@amda.edu
- If your academic transcripts follow a different grading system from the U.S. grading system, please read the following additional instructions +−
  1. Contact an approved international credential evaluation agency and request a complete evaluation for all your academic records (transcripts and diplomas) from every educational institution that you listed in your application. AMDA accepts official evaluations done by any of the following NACES-approved credential evaluation agencies: myiee.org, spantran.com, gceus.com, ierf.com, wes.org or ece.org. Students are responsible for all fees associated with NACES-approved evaluation services.
    
    If you choose Spantran to do your evaluation, please use the Spantran Application For AMDA
    
    If you choose IEE to do your evaluation, please use the IEE Application for AMDA
  2. You will also need to follow any specific translation instructions the agency may require on their website.
  3. Completed evaluations MUST include proof of graduation, graduation date and a calculated U.S. GPA equivalent.
  4. Once the evaluation is completed, it must be sent in an unopened, sealed envelope to the address indicated above or emailed directly by the evaluation agency to docs@amda.edu.
- If your academic transcripts follow the U.S. grading system, please read the following additional instructions +−
  Transcripts from every educational institution that you listed in your application must be forwarded to AMDA. You can do this in either of these 2 ways:
  1. Contact your guidance counselor or your school's transcript office and have them send your transcript(s) to AMDA using the transcript request form.
  2. Request your transcripts free of charge via Parchment Service if your school is a participating member.

Submit Proof of English Proficiency +−

English is the language of instruction for all AMDA programs. The better your command of English, the more likely you are to succeed. Therefore, all international students from non-English speaking countries are required to provide proof of an acceptable level of English proficiency. This can be done in one of several ways:

You may provide proof of English language proficiency by passing any one of the following 11 AMDA -approved English language proficiency examinations +−

Testing must have been completed no more than two years prior to the date of your application to AMDA. Test results must be received by AMDA directly from the testing service. Below is a list of the approved examinations and minimum scores for "Direct Admission" into AMDA's 2-year AOS or Certificate programs and 4-year degree granting programs.

Test Name	Minimum Score for AMDA's 2-Year AOS or Certificate Programs	Minimum Score for AMDA's 4-Year Degree Granting Programs
Duolingo English Test	95	100
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) AMDA New York School Code for TOEFL is C064 AMDA Los Angeles School Code for TOEFL is 8571	70 iBT	79 iBT
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)	6	6.5
Cambridge English Language Assessment	B2	C1
EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency	Pre-1	Pre-1
Elash 2 Test	137	150
International Test in English Proficiency (iTEP)	3.7	3.9
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)	73	76
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)	50	53
SAT: (previous Sat)	500 on the SAT Critical Reading	500 on the SAT Critical Reading
SAT: (redesigned SAT)	550 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing exam	550 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing exam
ACT	20 on the ACT English exam	20 on the ACT English exam
Cambridge Certificate of Education in one of the following exams: GCSE, IGCSE, CSEC, O-Levels, AS-Level, or A-Levels	"C" or Better in English	"C" or better in English
International Baccalaureate (IB)	"5" or better on the "English A" Higher Level (HL) Examination.	"5" or better on the "English A" Higher Level (HL) Examination.

By successfully completing an ESL pathway program at one of our five partnering institutions or at another accredited ESL pathway program* +−
*Please note: All independent ESL pathway programs must be accredited by the Commission on English Language Accreditation (CEA) or by the American Council of Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). This does not apply to ESL programs affiliated with regionally or nationally accredited institutions of higher education.
- If you choose to enroll into an ESL pathway programs, you should apply to both the ESL school for "Direct Admission" and to AMDA for "Conditional Admission". Conditional Admission is also known as "Conditional Acceptance". Your initial I-20 for the F-1 visa will be issued by the ESL school.
- To obtain Conditional Acceptance at AMDA, you must complete all other components of the admissions process, except for the proof of English language proficiency. Your personal essay and audition may be submitted whenever you believe you are adequately fluent in English to prepare them competently. This will most likely be in the final months of your English language training at the ESL school.
- To obtain Direct Acceptance at AMDA, you must submit a certificate of completion or official transcript from the ESL pathway center confirming that you have successfully completed your English language training for academic purposes. This will also allow you to obtain a new AMDA I-20 and successfully transfer your SEVIS record to AMDA for F-1 visa and U.S. immigration purposes. Once you complete this part of the process, you will be able to begin taking classes at AMDA as a full-time international student.
- AMDA's 2-year AOS or Certificate programs require the successful completion of an "Intermediate Advanced" level of ESL training for academic purposes. AMDA's 4-year degree granting programs require the successful completion of a "High Advanced" level of ESL training for academic purposes.
You may also offer proof of English language proficiency by providing any one of the following +−
- A high school diploma from a four-year U.S. high school with a letter from the institution verifying that you graduated without ESL support. Please note, GED Diplomas are not accepted.
- Completion of a transferable non-ESL English composition course- with a grade of "C" or better-from a regionally or nationally accredited U.S institution of higher education (a 2-year college or a 4-year college or university).
- An official transcript from an international/non-U.S. high school, college or university which you attended for a minimum of three years. The institution must be accredited by its home country's Ministry of Education (MoE) or Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE). The transcript must also be accompanied by a letter from the institution verifying that the language of instruction was English.
- An associate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from the U.S. or overseas campus of an accredited U.S. institution of higher education.
- A high school diploma or post secondary degree from one of the following countries:
  - Anguilla
  - Antigua & Barbuda
  - Ascension
  - Australia
  - Bahamas
  - Barbados
  - Belize
  - Bermuda
  - Bhutan
  - Botswana
  - British Virgin Islands
  - Canada (Except Quebec)
  - Cayman Islands
  - Dominica
  - England (UK)
  - Eritrea
  - Fiji
  - Gambia
  - Ghana
  - Gibraltar
  - Grenada
  - Guyana
  - Ireland (Northern) (UK)
  - Ireland (Republic of)
  - Jamaica
  - Kenya
  - Kiribati
  - Lesotho
  - Liberia
  - Malawi
  - Marshall Islands
  - Mauritius
  - Montserrat
  - Namibia
  - Nauru
  - New Zealand
  - Nigeria
  - Papua New Guinea
  - Puerto Rico (US Commonwealth)
  - Rwanda
  - Saint Helena
  - Saint Kitts & Nevis
  - Saint Lucia
  - Saint Maarten
  - Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
  - Scotland (UK)
  - Sierra Leone
  - Singapore
  - Solomon Islands
  - Swaziland
  - Tanzania
  - Tonga
  - Trinidad & Tobago
  - Turks and Caicos Islands
  - Tuvalu
  - Uganda
  - US Virgin Islands
  - Wales (UK)
  - Zimbabwe

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Important Information for Returning to Campus in January 2022

Certificate: The Studio Conservatory (Acting for Stage, Film & TV)

Program Description +−

Program Learning Outcomes +−

Curriculum +−

Sample Curriculum

Year One Sample Curriculum

First Term

Second Term

Year Two Sample Curriculum

Third Term

Fourth Term

Admission Requirements +−

Submit Your Application +−

Complete Your AMDA Audition +−

Phone interview with Admissions +−

SUBMIT YOUR PERSONAL ESSAY +−

Submit One Letter of Recommendation +−

Submit Your Academic Records (Transcripts) +−

Submit Your Application +−

Complete Your AMDA Audition +−

Phone interview with Admissions +−

SUBMIT YOUR PERSONAL ESSAY +−

Submit One Letter of Recommendation +−

Submit Your Academic Records (Transcripts) +−

If your academic transcripts follow a different grading system from the U.S. grading system, please read the following additional instructions +−

If your academic transcripts follow the U.S. grading system, please read the following additional instructions +−

Submit Proof of English Proficiency +−

You may provide proof of English language proficiency by passing any one of the following 11 AMDA -approved English language proficiency examinations +−

By successfully completing an ESL pathway program at one of our five partnering institutions or at another accredited ESL pathway program* +−

You may also offer proof of English language proficiency by providing any one of the following +−