LAMDA @ MSTDA

LAMDA Classes at Main Street Theatre and Dance Alliance in partnership with Shine Dramatic Arts.

LAMDA Classes lead to the LAMDA graded examinations at the end of each school year. Students learn the disciplines of acting, public speaking and communication skills via weekly classes in their chosen field in a safe, welcoming and non-judgmental environment. We aim to encourage success and build self-confidence.

About LAMDA:

London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art Examination Grades are internationally recognized and run from Introductory Grades for the youngest learners to the ‘Medal Grades’ for our more advance students. Medal Grades hold UCAS points for British Universities, are accepted as CCA entries on the American College Application forms and are used towards the Duke of Edinburgh award, used by many private schools across the globe.

Founded over 160 years ago the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Arts continues to deliver exceptional training in the performing arts and have trained actors, musicians and directors from across the world.

Main Street Theatre and Dance Alliance is proud to be one of only a few privately registered centers enabling them to offer both exam programs and allowing us to offer an examination venue where students can take their final exams without leaving Roosevelt Island.

Shine Dramatic Arts have been representing LAMDA Exams across South East Asia for a number of years and are now pleased to bring that expertise to New York. Shine’s Director, Mark Waite, is a member of the LAMDA Examination Board and has been teaching the program for over twenty years. He is the LAMDA Representative for both the USA and South-East Asia.

For more information please take a look at the LAMDA Website where each syllabus is a available to download for free.: www.lamda.ac.uk

Our Programs:

We offer LAMDA exams as both a Group Class and as One-to-One or Duologue sessions weekly. Classes are offered in Acting for all age groups and Speaking in Public for our older high school students and adults.

Introductory Classes:

Aimed at 5 – 7 year olds – students will have fun learning lots of new skills, such as speaking confidently in front of others and developing the ability to hold a conversation regarding one of their favorite books, toys or pictures.

Acting Classes:

The most popular of all of the LAMDA programs these are split into three levels, each covering a variety of theatrical skills that lead seamlessly through the grades – in the same way as Dance and Music Grades do.

Level 1 – Age 8 – 12 Students learn their first monologues – Entry only need to learn one piece. One monologue is taken from LAMDA’s anthology and is considered age appropriate, the other is a free choice. Technically students learn about Characterization, Setting, Feelings and Empathy.

Level 2 – Age 13-14 The pieces learned progress in their difficulty and the technical knowledge is stretched as students are expected to know the working areas of the stage and the technical elements required when working with professional directors and technicians in the theatre.

Level 3 – Age 14+ (the medals – bronze/silver and gold) The Learners now move into a more professional approach and begin to look at the history of theatre as well as develop their confidence with both classical and contemporary theatre as well as develop skills in both comedic and serious theatre. Knowledge becomes more in-depth examining the various theatre practitioners, playwrights and technical workings of the voice. This is the perfect introduction to Drama Schools and Colleges for those wishing to take their studies that step further.

Speaking In Public :

Private and Duo sessions are offered from Entry level to Grade 8 and are one of the most rigorous courses in public speaking available. Please contact Mark directly on the email below to enquire about availability. For more information on private/duo lessons, contact Shine Dramatic Arts at mark@shinedramaticarts.com or visit their Facebook Page @shinedramaticarts.

Semester Pricing

Group Sessions (less than 10 students in a group):

FALL/WINTER $400 (Introductory Level/Level 1 & 2)
FALL/WINTER $480 (Level 3)

WINTER/SPRING $400* (Introductory Level/Level 1 & 2)
WINTER/SPRING $480* (Level 3)
*LAMDA spring exam fee will be added to this semester

Private Sessions (LAMDA Levels 1/2/3 only):
$55 (Solo) $40 (Duo)

Fall semester begins September 9th, 2023. Classes will take place at MSTDA 548 Main Street. View Schedule

Scholarship opportunities are available for those who qualify. More

Give the gift of dance, music and theatre to someone close to you! Gift Certificates