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

AMDA’s Studio Program equips students with a broad spectrum of techniques and contextual knowledge to become collaborative, responsive artists who share their unique humanity through storytelling.

AMDA's Studio Program is an immersive, conservatory-style training experience designed to develop responsive, imaginative, and versatile actors. Over four semesters, students immerse themselves in approximately 30 hours of training each week with working professional artists, developing the technique, endurance, and versatility demanded of today's performer. AMDA's distinct and disciplined approach combines focused study in Classical, Contemporary, and On Camera Acting, Speech and Alignment, Performance, Improvisation, Stage Combat, Movement, and Foundations Across the Curriculum, where students engage in rigorous exploration of every facet of the craft. Emphasizing specificity, active listening, attention to detail, imaginative creation, and collaboration, the program develops the artistic foundation, technical proficiency, and professional versatility essential for success in the performing arts. The experience culminates in a Graduation Performance that mirrors the professional rehearsal-to-performance process, allowing students to synthesize their training while refining business materials, professional practices, and the confidence to launch a career as a collaborative storyteller.

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Studio Conservatory Program Program

At A Glance

Key Points

  • Uniquely situated in New York City near Broadway Theatres and Cultural Centers
  • Accelerated study allows for Certificate Completion in as little as 1.5 years
  • Versatile acting training in Classical, Period, Contemporary, and On-Camera Scene styles and Improvisation
  • Stage Combat training in hand-to-hand, rapier, rapier/dagger, and broadsword
  • Industry Panel Audition in front of “behind the table” professionals
  • Culminates in a live & a filmed production in New York City

Cert Studio

Admission Requirements

To apply, you must be at least 16 years old and/or in the final two years of high school/secondary education. If you are not yet 16, we would encourage you to consider attending the AMDA High School Conservatory.

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AMDA also accepts applications from CommonApp. If you have already applied through CommonApp, you do not need to apply again through our website. Please note: application processing time can take 1–2 weeks. If you have submitted an application and not heard back, we encourage you to email admissionsteam@amda.edu.

Admission and scholarship consideration to AMDA's performance-based programs require an audition. AMDA offers a robust calendar of auditions including campus auditions, national and international auditions, live virtual 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.

Schedule Audition

AMDA would like to get to know you better. Please submit your essay in response to the prompt below via your Admissions Portal*.

The essay topic for all programs is: Describe a challenging experience in your life and what you learned from it (500-word minimum).

*Essays submitted through the CommonApp will also be accepted.

Please request and submit letters of recommendation from teachers, school leaders, guidance counselors, coaches, or anyone familiar with your background and potential. Submit a minimum of one letter of recommendation. Your recommendation letter must be written in English and signed and dated. Recommendation letters should be requested through your Admissions Portal*.

*Recommendations submitted through the CommonApp will also be accepted.

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. 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.

The following options are available 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

  3. Official Transcripts submitted through CommonApp are also accepted.

IMPORTANT: Unofficial transcripts may be submitted for an expedited admissions decision. However, final official transcripts from every attended institution must be submitted prior to enrollment.