Spotlight on GANYC Guide: Amada Anderson
Introducing GANYC guide: Amada Anderson!
Company: New York Broadway Tours
Phone: (646) 246-5844
Social Media: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
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How long have you been a tour guide?
Since 2011.
What types of tours do you offer?
Walking tours and step-on guide work.
Do you offer Niche Tours?
YES! I offer musical theatre walking tours based off of Broadway shows, trivia, and history. My company was inspired while standing next to the Jefferson Market Courthouse and sharing the story of the death of Stanford White and Harry Thaw. It was made famous by a song in the musical Ragtime called "Crime of the Century". I started singing the song on my tour and then I realized that it would be really fun to sing along to famous musicals outside some of the Broadway Theatre's and so my tours are interactive and fun. It's something for every age but mostly upcoming actors who want an inside behind the scenes scoop on working on Broadway and New York City. On our Haunted Broadway Walking tour you can learn dance moves to the Time Warp or even Michael Jackson's Thriller dance.
What time of year would you consider your busy season?
I am open all year round, but a majority of my tours are best taken March-December.
Have you or your company been featured in print, broadcast (tv or radio) or online media?
Yes, I was recently featured on YesBroadway by GoldStar for my Haunted Broadway walking tour and Thriller Dance Workshop and Ghost Tour of the East Village, on Peek's website as a case study, and recently in Time Out New York.
Here's a snippet of my bio from my own website:
She has performed in various parades throughout New York, including: The NYC Dance Parade (led the Parade in 2013), the NYC Gay Pride Parade, Jersey Pride Fest, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade and the Village Halloween Parade.
She has made TV appearances for various lifetime experiences on: NBC’s Today Show, CNN Money, Univision’s Despierta America, WHTV’s What’s Happening NYC?, NYC Media’s Under The Pink Carpet, QPTV’s Sing, Sing, Sing! and The Sound Box, VH1’s You Oughta Know featuring Artist Gin Wigmore, and CUNY-TV’s Study With The Best.
She has been featured in online media, such as: CrowdFundingGuide.com , Humans of New York, NYC Tourist, etc.; as well as magazines and newspapers, including Zombie Magazine, the Examiner, Time Out New York, Village Voice, Simple Magazine, The Culture Trip, Destinations Travel Magazine, The Forward, The Weekender, Groupon, and Peek as a case study.
She has also been featured as an entrepreneur in the book The Power Players Guide to Playing Powerfully in the Game of Life, crowned “Queen of Karaoke” in Florida, and holds a Planet Connections Festivity acting award for “Outstanding Supporting Actress” for the role of Darcie in Andrew Rothkin’s Off-Broadway play Danny.
My linkedIN profile showcases direct links to articles, videos, and more. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amadaanderson
What drove you to become a tour guide?
The honest truth is that I was unemployed and I was looking for something else that maybe involved being more interactive instead of a regular 9-5pm. I had always walked through Grand Central and admired the building and had never taken a walking tour of it. I found a company that was giving tours in the winter and I asked the owner of the company if he was hiring actors. He said he needed more guides and that I needed to get my license first though. So I did. And then after working with his company I was inspired to give my own walking tours. I continue to be inspired of new tours to offer every week.
What is the most gratifying part of your work?
Interacting with customers and sharing my passion of New York City and it's legendary stories. It's so similar to teaching. I love when the little light goes on over there heads and you can see they really learned something. That's my favorite moment. Or when I share something with them and I know they will never forget that moment the rest of their lives. I strive for giving people experiences and memories.
What celebrities (if any) have patronized your business or organization?
I have had producers of Broadway and TV shows attend my tours and have provided various stories and antidotes that I share with my groups. You get used to seeing the same Broadway stars in Shubert Alley crossing through or walking by and saying hello and stopping for selfies with their fans. We also share a lot of Broadway gossip on our Facebook fan page and website Blog and the celebrities and Broadway companies will be tagged and like and share our info. It's an amazing supportive community.
What upcoming or annual events, promotions or sales would you like to promote?
We have a special Christmas Caroling Down Broadway walking tour we offer every December.
We also offer every Halloween (2 for 1's) ticket sales for our Haunted Broadway Walking Tour during the month of October even though we offer that tour all year round.
What special deals, sales, events or promotions are you offering to GANYC followers?
All GANYC followers and partners can always enjoy 10% off by using the code "SpotlightOnGANYC".
How long have you been a member of GANYC?
Since 2013.
How did you hear or learn about GANYC?
Jared Goldstein.
How has GANYC helped you and your business?
GANYC has been a wonderful asset to my business because there are so many talented guides who run extremely profitable businesses and they are always so kind and generous with sharing their advice. I joined several committees right away and learned so much from the other volunteers. Because of these new friends and colleagues I have enjoyed learning more about New York City and have regained a new passion as well. The FAM tours we share with each other and the many other activities we engage in connects us all together and strengthens our association thereby strengthening myself and my business. I am always thankful for the association and their activities and members.
What's your advice or Tour Guide tip you love to share to people visiting New York?
Since I give mostly Broadway tours a lot of my tips involve how to get good tickets at the theatre. I always instruct them that they can get half priced tickets at the TKTS booth or using Todaytix app but if they don't mind spending a few extra dollars and if they don't mind not sitting next to their friends for a few hours then they should just go directly to the box office and for single ticket seats. A lot of the times people book seats together and there is always seats spread out where if you go ahead of time and ask for them they will offer you orchestra seats for a little bit less than expected. You also save on extra handling fees.
(For more info or to book a tour with Amada, check out her GANYC profile by clicking here.)