<p>Hi - My son is in his first year at AADA - The Amercian Academy of Dramatic Arts AADA and loves it! And yes, it is often confused in name with AMDA…</p>
<p>I need to make a few clarifications about earlier postings - first of all, someone was way off with their numbers! AADA accepts 160 first year students - not 16! About half of those 160 are invited back for the second year. The first year students are divided into groups of 16 students for the first semester and they take all classes together. Then for the second semester the groups are mixed up a bit and regrouped based on ability. They are assigned to either morning (9-1:00) classes or afternoon (2-6:00). My son requested morning classes so that he could work in the afternoon.</p>
<p>The program at AADA is straight drama but students also study voice and dance. We heard about the program from the woman who was the last Amneris in AIDA on Broadway- so their graduates do get musical theatre jobs. My son has been impressed with both their voice and dance classes and even takes some outside classes with one of their dance teachers. And this is one of the great things about being in NY - being able to access classes in the community to further your studies. My son is also getting a taste of the Broadway world, working a theatre concessions job (currently at “The Pajama Game!”)</p>
<p>There are no “dorms” per se but there is housing. Students are housed at The New Yorker Hotel - a few blocks down past the Empire State building. Yes - the location of AADA is pretty incredible! - at Madison Ave and 30th Street. Because the students are all on one floor at The New Yorker there is a dorm-like atmosphere. My son moved to NYC with a friend so decided to live off campus - but he enjoys visiting The New Yorker and it sounds like the students there are happy. I doubt that there is more partying than at other schools. First of all, AADA attracts many older students - my son, who is 18, is in classes with quite a few people in their mid-20s. AADA also attracts many international students. My son has classmates from Australia, England and Sweden, to name a few. I certainly wouldn’t dismiss it as a “party school.” If anything, it seems those at AADA are a bit more serious, mature and independent than your average student. </p>
<p>As a parent paying the bills (!) I feel like we are getting our money’s worth at AADA…my son is learning a lot and loving school.</p>