AMDA College of the Performing Arts is the degree-granting heavyweight of Hollywood actor training. The institution opened in New York in 1964, with Shakespeare scholar Philip Burton as first director; the Los Angeles campus arrived in 2003 and now spans roughly 2.5 acres around the historic Yucca and Vine corner, with four theatres, film and TV shooting and editing facilities, a recording studio, and residence halls.
LA is the home of AMDA's degrees: a four-year BFA in Acting with on-camera and theatre concentrations, a BFA in Film and Television Arts focused on on-camera acting, a two-year AOS in Acting, graduate degrees, and a fully online BFA option. Training is integrated conservatory style, acting alongside voice and movement, with career-prep courses in audition technique and representation built into the curriculum. The college is regionally accredited by WSCUC.
Admission requires an audition, offered on campus, in national tour cities, over Zoom, or by video, and auditioning automatically triggers merit scholarship consideration up to $25,000 per year; AMDA reports 95 percent of students receive institutional aid. Published 2026-2027 tuition is $49,500 plus $300 fees, with on-campus housing at $15,800. A two-week High School Conservatory summer program serves teens with transferable credit. One warning for researchers: do not confuse AMDA with AADA, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, whose separate LA campus closed in 2025.
Techniques taught
- Eclectic / multi-technique: Schools that draw on several lineages and fit the tools to the actor, not the reverse.
Class types
- musical-theater
Enrollment and schedule
Audition required for performance-based undergrad programs; must be a HS junior/senior or HS graduate. Options: campus, national-tour city, live virtual (Zoom), or pre-recorded video. Auditioning triggers automatic scholarship consideration. HS Conservatory summer program uses an interview + demonstration materials instead. Schedule: Full-time programs with Fall, Spring, and Summer semester starts. Duration: BFA 4 years (8 semesters); AOS Acting 4 semesters (2 years); each program culminates in an original showcase production for industry.
Audit, trial, or intro class
Campus visits, open houses, and virtual tours offered; no class audit/trial policy published
Published pricing
| Program | Published price | Source, as of |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition 2026-2027 (two semesters, all programs) | $49,500/year | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| Mandatory fees 2026-2027 | $300/year | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| On-campus housing 2026-2027 | $15,800/year | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| Additional credits beyond program load (2026-2027) | $1,700/credit | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| Undergraduate tuition 2025-2026 (for reference) | $48,974/year | source 路 2026-07-16 |
Prices are the school's own published rates on the dates shown. We never estimate prices. Always confirm before enrolling.
Instructors
- Josephine Wilson, Acting Division Chair. Quoted on official acting-programs page describing the division's craft-first approach
Practical notes
Accessibility: Disability Resources Center handles accommodations (DRC@amda.edu)
Scholarships: 95% of students receive institutional scholarships/grants; merit scholarships up to $25,000/year awarded automatically via audition strength; Net Price Calculator available on tuition page
Location
Questions actors ask
Where is AMDA College of the Performing Arts, Los Angeles located?
What acting technique does AMDA College of the Performing Arts, Los Angeles teach?
Is AMDA College of the Performing Arts, Los Angeles suitable for beginners?
Does AMDA College of the Performing Arts, Los Angeles offer on-camera training?
How much do classes at AMDA College of the Performing Arts, Los Angeles cost?
Does AMDA College of the Performing Arts, Los Angeles offer online classes?
Does AMDA College of the Performing Arts, Los Angeles teach children or teenagers?
Is admission to AMDA College of the Performing Arts, Los Angeles by audition?
Who teaches at AMDA College of the Performing Arts, Los Angeles?
When was this information last verified?
Sources and verification
- AMDA Undergraduate Tuition & Costs (2026-2027 and 2025-2026), accessed 2026-07-16
- AMDA Los Angeles Campus (incl. site-wide footer), accessed 2026-07-16
- AMDA Contact Information, accessed 2026-07-16
- AMDA Acting Degree and Certificate Programs, accessed 2026-07-16
- AMDA Audition for Admission, accessed 2026-07-16
- About AMDA / History of AMDA, accessed 2026-07-16
- AMDA Academics (accreditation statement), accessed 2026-07-16
- AMDA High School Conservatory, accessed 2026-07-16
- Wikipedia: American Musical and Dramatic Academy (corroboration), accessed 2026-07-16
Researched 2026-07-16, last verified 2026-07-16. Facts above come only from these sources. Anything we could not confirm is simply not shown. Report incorrect information or claim this listing if you represent the school.
Guides for choosing a school
- Acting for beginners: how to start
- How to choose an acting school in LA
- Types of acting classes, explained
- What acting classes cost in LA
Career resources for LA actors
Practical next-step guides from the LA Actor Guide.
- Actor headshots: the complete LA guide
- How auditions and casting work in LA
- How to find and sign with a talent agent
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