UK's American Musical Theatre Academy Launches NYC Programs

After five years of continuing growth and success near the heart of London's West End theatre district, the American Musical Theatre Academy (AMTA) is coming to the heart of New York, New York, where it will offer U.S. students the unique opportunity to train with industry professionals on both sides of the pond.

"While our New York doors don't physically open until September, we are reviewing online and video applications for early acceptance to the inaugural stateside programs,"says Kenneth Avery-Clark, who cofounded AMTA with Christie Miller after 25 years of performing in London's West End and throughout North America.

"We are looking for a select group for two separate, full-time, one-year programs, both of which include training at our London campus," continues Avery-Clark, head of the London and New York schools.

"There is a professional development program for college graduates, individuals with previous training, or those with performing experience; and there is a preparatory program primarily aimed at high-school-performing-arts graduates who want a year's specialized training before attending university or entering another program (at AMTA or elsewhere). Program choice depends on individual experience and talent level.

"Both programs are meant to bolster students' triple-threat skills, with intensive singing, acting and dance classes conducted by industry professionals," he explains, adding that AMTA's ethos is very much about learning from experience. "At AMTA, we are focused on 'doing' rather than sitting in lectures and writing papers."

To that end, he says, "Midyear, when the New York students travel to England, they will train with our London-school students from all over Europe, work with West End professionals, and some will even get to perform on a West End stage."

AMTA also stresses the practical, arming its students with industry knowledge, adds Miller, AMTA New York's director.

"Since 'the business of show' is highly competitive, our students also learn how to network and how to best present and promote themselves from renowned veterans of the industry, including casting directors, agents, directors, musical directors, and other industry professionals."

Watch a promo for the New York program below!

For more about AMTA-New York and to apply, visit theamta.com.