Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At AMDA, we are committed to creating and upholding what we believe are the best standards and practices regarding casting for our students across all disciplines - in our classrooms, on our stages, and for our filmmaking and on-camera work. There has been great progress realized across many platforms for performing artists regarding these standards and practices in the industry and we are eager to see these advancements continue. Click the button below to view our full casting policy:

AMDA firmly believes that everyone should be addressed by the name with which they would like to be referred, and which authentically reflects their identity. AMDA acknowledges the importance that a change of name may have to students during their time with us, and therefore the institution allows for students to provide a lived first and middle name that is different from their legal name. At this time, last names/surnames can be changed only with legal name change documentation. Click the button below to view our Lived Name & Pronouns policy:

AMDA will make good faith efforts to provide reasonable religious accommodations to students whose sincerely held religious beliefs conflict with a school policy, procedure, or other academic requirement. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to engage in an interactive process. Please note: To receive a religious accommodation, one's religious tradition must require religious observance. This policy guarantees that students are not unduly prevented from observing their spiritual beliefs or practices; however, students should seek to make arrangements in advance with the appropriate instructors/administrators at the start of a semester/start of a rehearsal process. Requests will generally be approved unless they would result in an undue hardship on the institution. Religious accommodations categories include: Housing, Dining, Medical (Immunizations), Academics (Classes; Productions). Click the button below to request a student religious accommodation:

A bias incident is an act of conduct, speech, or expression motivated, in whole or in part, by intolerance, bias, or prejudice against another. Unlike a hate crime, the act is not a criminal act; like a hate crime, the act is motivated by prejudice. It differs from a hate crime in that no criminal activity is involved but its effect is to discriminate, demean, embarrass, assign stereotype, harass, or exclude individuals because of their actual or perceived identities, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, national origin, language, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or religion. Examples of hate-bias incidents may include but are not limited to: speech, gestures, epithets, direct insults, graffiti, harassment, etc. Hate-bias incidents can occur even if harm is unintentional or the act is meant as a joke or prank. This definition is not meant to inhibit classroom discussion of sensitive or controversial topics related to the above. This definition is also intentionally broad to reflect AMDA’s values.

The expression of viewpoints and disagreements on political or social issues is permitted at AMDA, and therefore not subject to disciplinary action. However, the expression of such opinions can have harmful impacts regardless of intention, and in some cases may undervalue personal rights, dehumanize individuals, and adversely affect someone's sense of belonging. In such cases, this protocol will be used in whole or in part as a means of promoting greater awareness of the impact of our words and behaviors, and allowing for restoration following harm - even when it is unintentional.

AMDA is committed to addressing incidents of hate-bias and needs your assistance in bringing these incidents to our attention. If you believe that you have been a target of or witness to a bias incident, please report by submitting the form below. By documenting incidents, we can better protect and educate our community, and best enable the college and conservatory to prevent this behavior and to address it properly when it occurs.

AMDA is committed to providing an academic environment free from sex discrimination, where all members of the school community are treated with respect and dignity. Sex discrimination includes both sexual and gender-based harassment and violence. All members of the AMDA community, including students, employees, and third parties, are protected under this policy. Click the button below to view Title IX policies, resources, and information:

The mission of AMDA's Disability Resource Center is to ensure that all students are afforded an equal opportunity to fully participate in and benefit from AMDA's performing arts education and diverse community of creative artists. We believe that disability is an integral part of the diversity of experience that fuels creative excellence. Therefore, it is our goal to remove access barriers to allow every student to reach their fullest potential. Services and Resources Provided by the Office include:

International Student Services is committed to providing support to international students to achieve their educational goals while enrolled at AMDA. International Student Services assists with immigration and visa processes in compliance with government rules regarding student visas. The office provides referrals to resources and serves as an advocate for international students as they pursue their education in the United States. International student advisors are available to work with students prior to enrollment and during their time at AMDA to offer support and guidance.

For questions or if you need support, please contact the International Student Office:
NY: InternationalNY@amda.edu
LA: InternationalLA@amda.edu