Distinguished alumni of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts include Danny DeVito, Kim Catrall and Adrien Brody. The admissions office at this private university offers an opportunity to audition in about 20 cities, some outside the U.S. Students audition with a personal interview and two monologues that take no more than five minutes total to present. The AADA is in midtown, on Madison Avenue between 31st Street and 30th Street.
The American Musical and Dramatic Academy operates a two-year musical theater certificate program and a four-year bachelor's of fine arts program. Audition requirements for both programs are performance of a two-minute monologue and two minutes or 32 bars of music. Applicants must bring sheet music in their key for the the pianist and may not perform original works. Applicants should perform the total audition in less than four minutes. The admissions committee holds auditions in dozens of cities. AMDA is a private, west-side school.
Columbia is a private Ivy League school on the upper west side of Manhattan. It offers an undergraduate theater major with study in music and dance. Applicants must audition with two contrasting monologues, each one minute long, and a one-minute song, performed a capella with movement. The admissions office holds auditions in New York, San Francisco and Chicago.
The Tisch School of the Arts, in Greenwich Village, is a private school affiliated with New York University. Students complete requirements in drama, theater studies, general education and electives to receive a bachelor's of fine arts. Applicants to the musical theater program must present two contrasting 32-bar cuts from musical theater or contemporary music, with movement, and be prepared to demonstrate vocal range and sing additional selections at the judges' request. Applicants must provide sheet music for the accompanist. Judges interview the applicant after she performs. Tisch holds its auditions on campus.