Help Fight For AADA-Los Angeles in their Mission

to Preserve the Stage We Call Home!

The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA), the first acting school in the English-speaking world, was founded on the belief that "acting is a calling to greatness." Fifty years ago, AADA expanded to the West Coast, opening a campus in Pasadena, CA. Though the campus has relocated several times, it has consistently upheld the Academy’s prestigious legacy, producing renowned alumni such as director Nick Cassavetes (’80), actor Jennifer Coolidge (’82), and superhero icon Paul Rudd (’91). Graduates of the Academy succeed not only in the entertainment industry but across a variety of fields, drawing on their rigorous training to confidently pursue their careers.

 

Until now, students have had the option to study at either the New York or Los Angeles campuses, with the Los Angeles location offering the distinct advantage of training in the heart of Hollywood. We are passionate about finding a solution that will allow future students the same options.
Fight For AADA Los Angeles (FALA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed in response to the AADA Board of Trustees' decision to close the Los Angeles campus. FALA's immediate mission is to secure enough financial backing to explore alternatives to closure. All donations and conditional pledges to FALA will be in support of our mission.

Our long-term vision is to evolve into Friends of AADA Los Angeles, an organization dedicated to supporting a Los Angeles campus through fundraising and community outreach, ensuring its future for the next 50 years and beyond. We firmly believe that the Academy's continued success is dependent upon maintaining campuses in both New York and Los Angeles.

We are supported by our legal counsel, Troutman Pepper, and our fundraising counsel, Alexander Haas, both firms with proven track records in fighting school closures. With their help and the help of our beloved community, we are confident in the viability of this effort. Our long-term goal is to provide continued financial and operational support to the Academy for the next 140 years and beyond.

Our beloved 140-year-old Academy is at a critical juncture, and we need your support to ensure its legacy continues for future generations. The challenges facing the LA campus are just the beginning; without immediate action, the entire institution is at risk. Your tax-deductible* donation is not just a gift—it's an investment in the future of arts education, the dreams of countless young artists and the preservation of a talented stream of individuals funneling directly into the performing arts communities that we love. Stand with us, and together, we can ensure that this historic institution continues to inspire and empower for generations to come.

Every donation makes a difference. If you need more information, feel free to get in touch with us directly.