Graner accepted in NYC’s American Musical and Dramatic Academy

Savannah Graner will attend American Musical and Dramatic Academy’s (AMDA) College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in New York City. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Savannah Graner has been accepted at American Musical and Dramatic Academy’s (AMDA) College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in New York City.

AMDA enrolls approximately 1,200 from 13,000 applicants. Graner, a senior at Bob Jones High School, auditioned in NYC with about 2.5 minutes of a musical theatre song, monologue in classical or contemporary genre and one-on-one interview.

Graner will enter AMDA’s conservatory program, basically equivalent to a musical theatre major. After two years, Graner has the option and to enroll at their Los Angeles campus and study to receive a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in musical theatre.

“I’ve wanted to go to AMDA (since) I was 16. If you want to be a successful working actor in theatre, AMDA is definitely the place to go,” Graner said. “It’s right in the heart of New York City where all the action is happening.” Located in Manhattan, AMDA is near Lincoln Center.

“I also love the fact that their teachers are working in the industry as well, whether directing, acting or tech,” Graner said. Industry connections and AMDA’s impressive alumni list also attracted her.

She has few qualms about living in NYC. “I’m just extremely excited and ready to move to the Big Apple and start this journey.” She will live in an AMDA dorm.

Savannah Graner portrayed a nerd in “13 the Musical.” (CONTRIBUTED)

In the Bob Jones spring musical, Graner will portray Peggy in “Godspell.” Her Patriots Players resume also includes “Alice in Wonderland,” “Lies About High School,” “The Perfect Ending,” “Guys and Dolls” and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”

Graner also appeared in Renaissance Theatre’s “Smoke on the Mountain” and Lyrique Music Productions’ “13 the Musical” and Jason Robert Brown’s concert. She was student director for Lyrique’s “Annie.”

Graner said her vocal coach, Luz Tolentino Ladrillono, “is an amazing teacher. I’ve grown leaps and bounds since I started with her.”

After AMDA, Graner wants to perform with a cruise line “and see the world” and advance from regional theatre to Broadway.