The American Academy of Dramatic Arts

The American Academy of Dramatic Arts America's First and Foremost Acting Conservatory www.aada.edu

120 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016

The American Academy of Dramatic Arts is a world-renowned acting conservatory in New York City, dedicated to preparing actors for meaningful and lasting careers since 1884. With a legacy of excellence and innovation, The Academy provides intensive training, a supportive creative community, and connections that have launched generations of celebrated performers.

On October 3, we celebrate 142 years of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts!Students, faculty, and staff come together...
10/03/2026

On October 3, we celebrate 142 years of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts!

Students, faculty, and staff come together to celebrate The Academy’s anniversary with cake and a look back at our history.

Swipe through to see this year’s celebration alongside images from our archives, reflecting 142 years of training, artistry, and tradition since 1884.

Happy 142nd Anniversary, AADA!



09/30/2026

Join us for Open House at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and discover what it’s like to train as an actor in the heart of New York City. 

Saturday, October 24, 2026
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
AADA Campus

✨ Participate in interactive workshops in Acting for Camera, Movement, Voice & Speech, and Musical Theatre
✨ Learn about our BFA and AOS degree programs
✨ Hear from faculty, alumni, and current students
✨ Tour our historic New York campus
✨ Explore our studios and performance spaces
✨ Connect with Admissions and Financial Aid

Whether you’re ready to apply or just beginning to explore your options, Open House is your opportunity to experience AADA firsthand and learn more about your path to professional actor training.

Register through the link in our bio.

Twelfth NightBy: William ShakespeareAdapted and Directed by: Sheila BandyopadhyayShakespeare’s witty story of disguise, ...
09/26/2026

Twelfth Night
By: William Shakespeare
Adapted and Directed by: Sheila Bandyopadhyay

Shakespeare’s witty story of disguise, desire, and reinvention lives afresh in the glamour and grit of 1930’s New York, where jazz plays on the streets and everyone is falling for the wrong person.
 
The shipwrecked Viola is separated from her twin brother Sebastian on the sea. Upon reaching dry land, she reinvents herself as a young man and finds work with the lovesick Duke Orsino. The Duke, hopelessly pining for the Countess Olivia, sends Viola to plead his case, and Olivia promptly falls for the disguised Viola instead. And if that wasn’t enough, Viola is secretly falling for Orsino!
 
When Sebastian unexpectedly arrives, the confusion reaches a fever pitch and everyone is forced to confront who they are, who they think they love, and who they have been pretending to be.
 
This joyful comedy is a celebration of love in all its confusion, madness and potential to reveal and heal.

Twelfth Night 
by William Shakespeare
Adapted and Directed by: Sheila Bandyopadhyay
Saturday, September 26 at 7:00 PM ET
Sunday, September 27 at 2:00 PM ET

Reservations are available through the link in our bio.

HamletBy: William ShakespeareDirected by: Barbara RubinWhat if the truth uncovered is worse than any lie?A King has died...
09/23/2026

Hamlet
By: William Shakespeare
Directed by: Barbara Rubin

What if the truth uncovered is worse than any lie?
A King has died. A country has hastily moved on. A secret refuses to remain buried.
Hamlet returns home to a Denmark transformed: his uncle Claudius - now King - has married his mother, Queen Gertrude. When the ghost of his father appears with a shocking revelation, Hamlet vows to avenge his father’s murder. Grief gives way to suspicion as he begins to investigate everyone around him in his search for evidence.
But how deep is the cover up?  And what happens when the search for certainty begins to consume the seeker? 
Shakespeare’s most performed tragedy explores vengeance, madness and murder – and the dangerous cost of knowing too much. Hamlet is a wild ride: volatile, poignant, darkly funny, and as urgent as ever.

Hamlet 
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Barbara Rubin
Wednesday, September 23 at 7:00 PM ET
Thursday, September 24 at 7:00 PM ET

Reservations are now available through the link in our bio.

📸: Bronwen Sharp

#

09/22/2026

Faculty member and AADA alumnus Alex Pepperman shares three tips for approaching Shakespeare and reflects on the skills that classical training can bring to an actor’s work.

Can’t get enough of the Bard? Join the Academy Company this week for their Shakespeare series of productions:

Hamlet
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Barbara Rubin
Tuesday, September 22 at 7:00 PM ET
Wednesday, September 23 at 7:00 PM ET
Thursday, September 24 at 7:00 PM ET

Twelfth Night
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Sheila Bandyopadhyay
Friday, September 25 at 7:00 PM ET
Saturday, September 26 at 7:00 PM ET
Sunday, September 27 at 2:00 PM ET

Reservations are available through the link in our bio.

Our 2026–2027 Company’s First Series opens with Hamlet by William Shakespeare, directed by Barbara Rubin.HamletBy: Willi...
09/16/2026

Our 2026–2027 Company’s First Series opens with Hamlet by William Shakespeare, directed by Barbara Rubin.

Hamlet
By: William Shakespeare
Directed by: Barbara Rubin

What if the truth uncovered is worse than any lie?

A King has died. A country has hastily moved on. A secret refuses to remain buried.
Hamlet returns home to a Denmark transformed: his uncle Claudius - now King - has married his mother, Queen Gertrude. When the ghost of his father appears with a shocking revelation, Hamlet vows to avenge his father’s murder. Grief gives way to suspicion as he begins to investigate everyone around him in his search for evidence.
But how deep is the cover up? And what happens when the search for certainty begins to consume the seeker?
Shakespeare’s most performed tragedy explores vengeance, madness and murder – and the dangerous cost of knowing too much. Hamlet is a wild ride: volatile, poignant, darkly funny, and as urgent as ever.

Reservations are now available: https://www.aada.edu/company/

Our 2026–2027 Company’s First Series continues with Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, adapted and directed by Sheila Bandyopadhyay

Twelfth Night
By: William Shakespeare
Adapted and Directed by: Sheila Bandyopadhyay

Shakespeare’s witty story of disguise, desire, and reinvention lives afresh in the glamour and grit of 1930’s New York, where jazz plays on the streets and everyone is falling for the wrong person.

The shipwrecked Viola is separated from her twin brother Sebastian on the sea. Upon reaching dry land, she reinvents herself as a young man and finds work with the lovesick Duke Orsino. The Duke, hopelessly pining for the Countess Olivia, sends Viola to plead his case, and Olivia promptly falls for the disguised Viola instead. And if that wasn’t enough, Viola is secretly falling for Orsino!

When Sebastian unexpectedly arrives, the confusion reaches a fever pitch and everyone is forced to confront who they are, who they think they love, and who they have been pretending to be.

This joyful comedy is a celebration of love in all its confusion, madness and potential to reveal and heal.

Reservations are now available: https://www.aada.edu/company/

09/10/2026

With transformational actor training, AADA graduates are equipped to thrive as industry professionals. From studios to streamers, on stage and on set, our alumni are working across the globe. 

Find out how Academy training prepared these four actors to pursue their craft and build sustainable, lifelong careers. 

Applications and audition appointments have just opened for students interested in the Academy’s new Bachelor of Fine Ar...
09/09/2026

Applications and audition appointments have just opened for students interested in the Academy’s new Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting for Film, Television & Theatre. Rooted in practical learning, taught by New York industry professionals, and infused with full-scale performance opportunities, the program prepares you to thrive as a professional actor in the creative economy.

Apply now for class terms beginning in January and August 2027.

You are invited to learn more at upcoming Virtual Information Sessions with Vice President of Academics David Sullivan, offered on September 10 at 7pm ET and September 23 at 8pm ET. Zoom registration links are in bio.

Discover the Academy’s innovative BFA program:
CHOOSE A 3-YEAR OR 4-YEAR PATHWAY
Complete the same 120-credit BFA curriculum in either three or four years.

BFA CONSERVATORY TRAINING
Rigorous, stage-based training designed to develop your craft, instrument, intellect, and imagination.

SCREEN ACTING FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Prepare for today’s industry with innovative film-focused opportunities across multiple genres and platforms.

CAREER PREPARATION THAT EMPOWERS ACTORS
Build the skills, industry knowledge, and connections to sustain and direct your own career.

NEW YORK IS YOUR CAMPUS
Learn from New York industry professionals, shoot on location across the city, and perform in full-scale productions for public audiences.

Take the Next Step.

Learn More about BFA &
Apply: aada.tv/bfa
RSVP for October 24th Open House: aada.tv/open-house
Sign Up for a Virtual Info Session: aada.tv/virtual-info-session

09/09/2026

Applications and audition appointments have just opened for students interested in the Academy’s new Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting for Film, Television & Theatre. Rooted in practical learning, taught by New York industry professionals, and infused with full-scale performance opportunities, the program prepares you to thrive as a professional actor in the creative economy.

Apply now for class terms beginning in January and August 2027.

You are invited to learn more at upcoming Virtual Information Sessions with Vice President of Academics David Sullivan, offered on September 10 at 7pm ET and September 23 at 8pm ET. Zoom registration links are in bio.

Discover the Academy’s innovative BFA program:
CHOOSE A 3-YEAR OR 4-YEAR PATHWAY
Complete the same 120-credit BFA curriculum in either three or four years.

BFA CONSERVATORY TRAINING
Rigorous, stage-based training designed to develop your craft, instrument, intellect, and imagination.

SCREEN ACTING FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Prepare for today’s industry with innovative film-focused opportunities across multiple genres and platforms.

CAREER PREPARATION THAT EMPOWERS ACTORS
Build the skills, industry knowledge, and connections to sustain and direct your own career.

NEW YORK IS YOUR CAMPUS
Learn from New York industry professionals, shoot on location across the city, and perform in full-scale productions for public audiences.

Take the Next Step.

Learn More about BFA &
Apply: aada.tv/bfa
RSVP for October 24th Open House: aada.tv/open-house
Sign Up for a Virtual Info Session: aada.tv/virtual-info-session

Please join us in welcoming the 2026–2027 Company as they begin their artistic journey this year!Learn more about the Co...
09/09/2026

Please join us in welcoming the 2026–2027 Company as they begin their artistic journey this year!

Learn more about the Company by visiting the link in our bio, and stay tuned for dates and times for their upcoming First Series productions:

Hamlet 
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Barbara Rubin
Tuesday, September 22 at 7:00 PM ET
Wednesday, September 23 at 7:00 PM ET
Thursday, September 24 at 7:00 PM ET

Twelfth Night 
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Sheila Bandyopadhyay
Friday, September 25 at 7:00 PM ET
Saturday, September 26 at 7:00 PM ET
Sunday, September 27 at 2:00 PM ET

Show Tickets will be available for RSVP beginning September 10. 

Group Photo by Danny Bristoll Photo

Address

120 Madison Avenue
New York, NY
10016

Telephone

+18004638990

Website

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