THE HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER CONSERVATORY AT AMDA Residential and commuter programs in New York City and Los Angeles are open to all talented high school students completing grades 8-12 during the 2014/15 school year. Actors. Singers. Dancers. Imagine the opportunity to hone your craft on a college campus. Imagine a world-class faculty guiding you into total immersion of styles, discipline and continuous performance. Imagine doing it this summer. For the last 50 years, AMDA s faculty and curriculum have provided the master training, tools, guidance and techniques required to develop talent and prepare students to work in Hollywood, on Broadway and throughout the diverse field of performing arts. At AMDA, we have a wonderful opportunity for talented high school performing artists. The High School Summer Conservatory at AMDA. Immerse yourself in acting, singing, or dance for two and a half to five weeks in New York, Los Angeles, or both cities. You ll live on the AMDA campus of your choice and sleep in our safe and secure on-campus dormitories. You ll be taught by the best. What you ll love about AMDA is the faculty. They re not just teachers but high-level performers working in the industry. You will be taught acting by actors, dancing by dancers, and singing by singers. We believe in craft and technique, but you will also learn many real-world fundamentals about the industry, such as getting a job, including exactly what the audition process looks like and how to prepare for it. During your summer, you will perform. You ll work hard preparing for those performances. Your peers will be talented students who are as serious about learning their craft as you are. As a performer, you will be empowered to find your voice within your unique story and talents. Join us for this special experience.
CAMPUS LIFE AT AMDA Whether you choose the Upper West Side of Manhattan or the center of Hollywood, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live the college life in the heart of one (or both) of the entertainment capitals of the world. Our students and faculty come from all over the country and all over the world and you will make friends who share your passion for the performing arts; friends who may even be your future colleagues in the entertainment industry. You will live on the AMDA campuses, in comfortable and modern, safe and secure dormitories. We will develop your special talents and take you to new levels. We will impart confidence, so when the time comes, you can make a place for yourself in the world. It might be that your place includes screen acting, dance fusion, or singing in a variety of pop styles. Whether you re in New York, or Los Angeles, the encouragement you experience and the friendships you form at the High School Summer Conservatory at AMDA will be real and lasting. SNAPSHOT OF YOUR DAY: Classes in your chosen performing arts focus: Acting, Singing or Dance Elective courses based on student interests to support your core disciplines. Rehearsals for your Final Performance We ll teach you about the industry and how to take who you are and do something that is fresh and new and sets you apart from other performers.
THE ACTING EXPERIENCE When I walked through the front doors, it felt like home. It kind of fit like a glove. Sam Underwood, star of Dexter, Homeland and The Following ; named one of the 14 Rising Stars to Watch by Entertainment Weekly. Acting begins as a dream, and then the work begins as you reveal the talent you knew was there. Whether training for stage or film and television, the ability to command performances requires a special kind of discipline and willingness to discover. JULY 2-19, 2015 JULY 23 - AUGUST 9, 2015 PICK YOUR TRACK available during both sessions TRACK 1 Acting for the Stage Contemporary Theater Explore the best of what s happening on the Broadway stage! Challenge yourself to explore new texts and current playwrights. Present contemporary works in an end-of-session live theatrical presentation for the AMDA community. Track 1 concludes with a live performance of acting scenes performed on the AMDA stage in NYC or Hollywood. TRACK 2 Acting for the Camera Film and Television This workshop intensive gives you the tools you need to navigate the world of on-camera acting and provides you with an insider s perspective to the film and television industries. Courses include On-Camera Acting Technique, Working On Set, TV/ Film Genre and On-Camera Scene Study. By the end of your session you ll have an on-camera scene for your actor s reel that highlights your very best. Track 2 concludes with a live performance of acting scenes performed on the AMDA stage in NYC or Hollywood.
THE VOCAL MUSIC EXPERIENCE Your voice will carry you far and you have the passion to take it to the next level. Ensemble or solo, in a few weeks you ll discover skills you never knew you had. PICK YOUR TRACK available during both sessions JULY 2-19, 2015 JULY 23 - AUGUST 9, 2015 TRACK 1 Music Theatre Explore the world of classic and contemporary Musical Theatre though this personal and intensive course work. Expand your vocal performance skills and develop your audition book by immersing yourself in tried and true techniques. Track 1 will culminate in a live theatrical concert presentation on one of AMDA s NYC or Hollywood stages. I went to AMDA to make sure every aspect of performance was mastered as best as possible. I m a performer not just an actor, not just a singer, not just a dancer, not just a songwriter that s what AMDA allows you to be. Jason Derulo, multi-platinum recording artist (more than 14 million tracks sold domestically) and five-time BMI Pop Award-winner TRACK 2 Contemporary Vocal Styles Challenge yourself this summer and dive into vocal performance styles from contemporary to jazz, gospel to a capella, blues, soul, country and R&B. Develop your sound. Write an original piece. This session ends with a professional recording studio experience to help start you on your path towards becoming a contemporary vocal artist. Track 2 will culminate in a live theatrical concert presentation on one of AMDA s NYC or Hollywood stages.
THE DANCE THEATRE EXPERIENCE You don t choose dance it chooses you. Immerse yourself in the experience of dance; build strength, cultivate endurance and fine-tune your ability to compel audiences with the story your body tells. AMDA affords the young performing artist who doesn t know who they are yet a wonderful, lovely playground to not only learn their craft, learn the industry, but also to find their voice. PICK YOUR TRACK available during both sessions JULY 2-19, 2015 JULY 23 - AUGUST 9, 2015 TRACK 1 Theater Dance Join us for the best of Broadway dance styles! You will experience total immersion in theatre dance technique and work with dancers and choreographers of the Broadway stage. At the end of your session you will perform select pieces in a diverse and dynamic live theatrical presentation for the AMDA community. Track 1 ends with a live performance of select works presented on the NYC or Hollywood AMDA Stage. TRACK 2 Commercial Dance for Live Stage and TV Work with some of LA and NY s top contemporary teachers and choreographers to take your dance dynamics and expression to a whole new level. This intensive will focus on the current trends in commercial dance and introduce you to a cross-section of styles. This session includes a dance for camera music video experience. Track 2 ends with a live performance of select works presented on the NYC or Hollywood AMDA Stage. Marina Benedict, Dance Department Co-Chair, AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts.
FINDING YOUR VOICE YOU HAVE PLANS: You are a young artist, talented, ready to challenge yourself and you love to perform. Whether that s by immersing yourself in the art of acting, finding your voice as a singer, or telling new stories through dance, it s all about performance. My daughter is still talking about her experience. In only two weeks her talent has grown. I can only imagine how talented she will become after two years in the Integrated Program. Ronda B., parent, Inglewood, CA Our daughter had an amazing experience and came home ready to conquer this music/dance world head on! Betsy T., parent, Potomac, MD We couldn t resist the total excitement and enthusiasm in our son, so I thank you for giving him this opportunity to see what it s like in the real world of music! Maryanne D., parent, Randolph, NJ A huge thanks. My daughter has not stopped talking about the program. She has made life-long friends and received amazing training/feedback from the city s top educators. Everyone is excited to hear/ see the growth acquired within those two weeks. She is a more confident performer because of the experience and is excited about the possibility of attending AMDA next fall. Talisha R., parent, Brunswick, GA
AMDA ALUMNI AMDA alumni are actively making a difference in the world. Rather than waiting for that elusive big break, they make their own breaks: Founding theatre companies, writing plays, creating musicals, performing and teaching. AMDA graduates are versatile artists who defy labels and create their own destinies. THEY ARE CREATORS. PHOTO: JOAN MARCUS NINA ARIANDA 2012 winner for Best Actress Tony Award for her performance as Vanda in Venus in Fur Nominated for a Tony Award two years in a row! Currently starring in the film Rob the Mob, and in the new Off-Broadway play Tales from Red Vienna SAM UNDERWOOD Currently starring as murderous twins Luke and Mark on the hit Fox TV series The Following Recently starred as Leo on Showtime s Homeland and as Dexter protege Zach Hamilton on the final season of Dexter Artistic Director of the Fundamental Theatre Project, a company he co-founded with fellow AMDA alumni JESSE TYLER FERGUSON Star of ABC s award-winning series Modern Family Four-time Best Supporting Actor Emmy Award nominee Played Dromio in The Public Theatre s Shakespeare in the Park production of A Comedy of Errors PHOTO: JOAN MARCUS GRETCHEN MOL Currently stars as Gillian Darmody in the HBO TV series Boardwalk Empire Appeared in over 30 films with starring roles in such films as 3:10 to Yuma, Rounders, Celebrity and The Notorious Bettie Page Starred as Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway CHRISTOPHER SIEBER Star of 10 Broadway shows; nominated for multiple Tony Awards Currently starring as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda The Musical on Broadway Originated the roles of Sir Dennis Galahad in Monty Python s Spamalot and Lord Farquad in Shrek on Broadway Starred in TV shows Two of A Kind and It s All Relative" along with multiple TV and film appearances NATALIE ZEA Stars opposite Kevin Bacon on Fox s The Following Recurring roles on FX s Justified and CBS s Under the Dome Headlining in independent feature film Sweet Talk Creating a TV pilot for FX and in pre-production on her own film MADELINE BREWER Starred in hit Netflix series Orange is the New Black as Tricia Miller Stars in the second season of Hemlock Grove on Netflix as Miranda Cates CHRISTOPHER JACKSON Recently starred as Derek Jeter in the Broadway production of Bronx Bombers Emmy Award winning composer and lyricist for Sesame Street Star of multiple Broadway shows, originating the role of Benny in In The Heights Visit amda.edu for more updates on our accomplished alumni. JASON DERÜLO Multi-platinum recording artist with three albums Six Billboard Top 10 hit singles Two Teen Choice Awards and five BMI Pop Music Awards, including Songwriter of the Year ERIC LAJUAN SUMMERS 2013 Astaire Award winner for Outstanding Male Dancer in a Broadway Show Currently performing in Motown the Musical on Broadway
AMDA TUITION All-inclusive tuition includes activity fees, housing, meal plan, on-the-ground airport transit, and seven (7) t-shirts. Tuition for the 18-day sessions is $4,195. Session 1 July 2-19, 2015 Session 2 July 23-9, 2015 Both sessions, as well as all major disciplines and tracks, are available at the AMDA New York City campus and the AMDA Los Angeles campus. Meal Plan In both NY and LA, all students are provided a meal plan and will receive a fresh, healthy, and balanced breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Deposits and Fees A $250 deposit is required for all accepted students (amount applied to your all-inclusive tuition payments). A $25 application fee will also apply.
CONTACT Email: summer@amda.edu www.amda.edu/hs NEW YORK CAMPUS 211 West 61st Street New York, NY 10023 Phone: (212) 787-5300 Toll Free: 1-800-367-7908 Fax: (212) 247-0488 LOS ANGELES CAMPUS 6305 Yucca Street Los Angeles, CA 90028 Phone: (323) 469-3300 Toll Free: 1-800-367-7908 Fax: (323) 469-5246