We’re frequently asked for college recommendations, especially for theatre arts. All recommendations are subjective and first-hand—instructors, former students and colleagues. Let us preface any recommendations by forwarding Appalachian State University’s freshman orientation motto—No matter the college, you only get out of it what you put into it. You can go to the worst college on the planet, but use it to your advantage and have a successful career. On the other hand, you can go to the best college and forsake it all if you’re not proactive.

OUT-OF-STATE RECOMMENDATIONS

The Neighborhood Playhouse, New York City It’s a conservatory, not a college, and one of only a few we endorse. neighborhoodplayhouse.org Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University, New York City pace.edu

IN-STATE RECOMMENDATIONS

Appalachian State University appstate.edu Western Carolina University wcu.edu UNCSA uncsa.edu UNCA unca.edu Eastern Carolina University ecu.edu Elon elon.edu UNCG uncg.edu Lees-McRae College lmc.edu Lenoir-Rhyne University lr.edu Generally, we recommend 4-year universities that you can round out your education with and lay the groundwork for further education. We highly recommend building a support education underneath or alongside your arts education, i.e. double major in Advertising & Theatre; Music Major & Marketing Minor, etc. We do not recommend “create your own major” schools. Just typing that is silly. We do not recommend academies like AMDA, mostly because they are not colleges and universities do not recognize AMDA, for example, as an accredited institution. Negative reviews from former students far outweigh the positive and speak for themselves. Most academies are quantity over quality business models with very little acceptance requirements and often divide incoming classes according to age and experience and the quality of instruction is inversely applied. Again, you cannot build higher education on a certificate from AMDA, for example. Tons of folks regularly solicit us for an official position on AMDA. We don’t have one. Again, the bad reviews and testimonies far outweigh the good ones. The folks we know who’ve attended were highly critical of the training and living conditions. Some were pleased with the networking opportunities relative to each location. We can tell you that many Broadway producers and directors do not express a favorable opinion of AMDA and encourage their actors not to include AMDA affiliations in their programs and publicity. Again, we’re personally pro-university because of the staying power of a diploma.

I went to school a couple different places. I went to a school called AMDA, the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. We called it 'SCAMDA,’ because it really didn’t do any good for any of us.Jason Mraz, WBRS interview with Matt Closter

#1 piece of advice—Strive to make a living. Big breaks find you, not the other way around. There are no shortcuts. Be genuine. Be well-rounded and well-grounded. Make informed decisions. Respect and approach the arts from both a creative and business perspective.