The American Academy of Dramatic Arts - New York

Date: Mar 24 2012
Major: Unknown (This Major's Salary over time)
Although I went to AADA many moons ago, my experience has lasted a lifetime. At the time, some of the classes were a bit over the edge, as it was the age of EST training and "discovering yourself," and some of the classes reflected this. However, I have to tell you that the techniques I was given to use in my craft are ones that I retain and use to this very day. They have served me well. I was happy to see that Jackie Solotar still teaches as her gentle guidance and expertise helped ease the transition that I felt when I moved to NYC. After the academy, I was pleasantly referred by her to study with her mentor, the late Paul Mann. Regretfully, I am saddened to learn that my favorite AADA teacher, Dennis Moore, passed away in the late 80's. But knowing that AADA had the good taste and smart sensibility to hire someone of Dennis' caliber continues to bolster my faith in that school. I only had one bad teacher at AADA and that was Dee Bagley, who seemed to lack the ability to teach and relate to her students. Rather, she was arrogant, haughty, and condescending - expecting students to "get" what she was saying without giving practical application exercises to apply her curriculum in usable ways. I'll never forget that this woman attended one of my exam plays (a drama) and laughed extremely loudly at my floundering performance… Certainly not a way to foster and re-guide a young artist, now is it?