Trying to decide between Stella Adler, The Neighborhood Playhouse, and AMDA.

brooklynchild · 05-23-2012, 01:04 AM

I got accepted to The Neighborhood Playhouse, AMDA, and the Stella Adler evening conservatory. I was wait listed for the Stella Adler day conservatory. I've already been through a 6-semester intensive Meisner training program, so I have decent training under my belt. I want to choose whichever school has the best chance at getting me work upon graduation. They all have showcases at the end of their programs, but which showcases get real industry professionals? If agents tend to go to these showcases, which agencies are they representing? Are they ****ty commercial agencies, are they good commercial agencies, are they real agents who will get me real jobs? Which program has the highest percentage of working actors who've graduated from their program? So far, my research has come up with very positive things about the Stella Adler conservatory, but I haven't been able to find many reviews on their evening program specifically. Is the evening conservatory just as good as the day conservatory, do they get the same level of industry professionals at their showcase, and will I have a better shot at at a successful career if I go to the evening conservatory, vs. AMDA or the playhouse? These are the things I'm trying to find out. Any and all information about these schools would be VERY helpful!

ActingDad · 05-23-2012, 10:52 AM

In terms of what is well regarded in NY, it's a no brainer to pick either Stella Adler or The Neighborhood Playhouse over AMDA. My daugther has done some professional work and she regularly goes to workshops and other things in NY where she is exposed to casting directors. AMDA is not well regarded. These days, Stella Adler seems to be more well regarded than Neighborhood Playhouse from my research but I can't help you with day conservatory versus evening.

amtc · 05-23-2012, 05:54 PM

Neighborhood Playhouse is Meisner so since you've already taken 6 months of Meisner perhaps Stella Adler is the way to go? Just guessing but I would say the students in the evening program are probably a bit older and need to work during the day which may mean they are more serious, but this is all speculation.

I agree with ActingDad that AMDA might not be the best of the three.

Thatsawrap · 09-28-2012, 03:08 AM

Avoid AMDA like the plague. It has a terrible reputation among NYC directors and casting people.