Founded in 1884, the Academy will celebrate its 125th Anniversary in 2009. From its inception, it has attracted talented and committed students from around the world. Throughout our history, Academy faculty and administrators have been among the most progressive theatrical theorists and visionaries of their day, and today are actively influencing the field of actor training and theatre practice.

The Academy alumni list is an impressive one, with prominent names from all aspects of the entertainment industry, past and present. As a group, AADA alumni hold a total of more than 72 Oscar®, 233 Emmy®, and 83 Tony® nominations plus 5 Kennedy Center Honorees. The numbers grow every year.

Roger Croucher, whose full biography can be found on the Academy's website, became President and CEO of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2000. Through his work as a distinguished international educator (16 years as Principal of London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, four years at Boston University), leading actor (Old Vic, Royal Shakespeare, Masterpiece Theatre) and prominent stage director, Academy connections have been developed with theatre artists, professional theatres and educators worldwide.

In March of 2007, James Warwick, notable actor, theatre director and educator (Trinity University, University of Connecticut, British Academy of Dramatic Arts, American Academy of Dramatic Arts-New York) was appointed President of the Los Angeles Division. Since 1997, Mr. Warwick has directed over thirty professional productions at major theatres across the US, and served as an associate and artistic director at three highly regarded regional theatre companies. As a leading actor he appeared in numerous US/UK national and regional tours, London's West End and on Broadway. His many television series for the BBC, Granada TV and PBS's Masterpiece Theatre have been shown all over the world.