Amanda Spilinga is an actress, dancer, choreographer, director, playwright, writer, producer, and educator, born in Northern Italy and based in NYC. She discovered her love for dance at the tender age of 11, studying Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Contemporary dance styles.
At 16, Amanda's determination led her to attend numerous prestigious local dance conventions. These pivotal events shaped the trajectory of her career when she met her first impassioned dance mentor, the renowned American dance icon Steve LaChance. Throughout her journey, Amanda received numerous scholarships and won several regional dance competitions across Italy such as "Cantadanza" and "Vallee Danza." By 17, she earned her professional modern dance instructor designation from the esteemed INTERNATIONAL DANCE ASSOCIATION (IDA), becoming one of the youngest sought-after dance teachers and choreographers in Italy.
At 19, Amanda ventured to New York City for new challenges and artistic growth. There, she taught at various studios such as Broadway Dance Center and Peridance Capezio Center. The vibrant NYC nightlife exposed her to culture curators and promoters like Voodoo Ray, leading to countless performance opportunities. In this eclectic environment, Amanda envisioned a platform to empower others through movement. This vision took form as ALTERNATIVE SYNERGY THE COMPANY (ASTC).
In 2017, Amanda's dance dream took flight with ASTC's inaugural sold out dance show, "THE DEBUT." Nationally recognized for its unique blend of street dance and contemporary forms, ASTC creates a synergistic movement where movers from diverse backgrounds find mutual understanding and union through movement. Movement becomes the language, and the stage transforms into a new home where characters can safely expose themselves in their true colors.
Amanda's acting is a testament to creativity and authenticity, a storm of powerful storytelling that challenges societal norms and personal identities. Her characters profoundly encourage audiences to transcend their identities and societal norms and inspire audiences to explore parts of themselves they might not have realized were there. Through strong, impactful portrayals, her characters leave a lasting mark on audiences' hearts and lives, prompting them to reflect deeply on their own journeys and beliefs.
As a playwright, Amanda combines her love for dance and scriptwriting to create works that explore the highest forms of self-expression. Her plays delve into societal and cultural myths, inviting audiences to step outside their comfort zones and discover new perspectives. Amanda's work challenges reality, presenting a compassionate yet strong vision that emphasizes our shared responsibility for our reality.
As an educator, Amanda is the founder of the ASTC DANCE METHOD and the ASTC TEACHING METHOD. The ASTC DANCE METHOD breaks away from the conventional approach of treating ballet as the foundation of all dance. Instead, it recognizes all dance styles as unique techniques and styles, prioritizing how these diverse forms can serve dancers in discovering their own individuality through movement. This innovative approach combines various techniques to create a movement style that is both technical and freeform, emphasizing the connection between body and soul. The ASTC TEACHING METHOD is designed exclusively for dance teachers, focusing on nurturing dancers' full potential effectively by celebrating their unique expression and fostering their connection between body and soul.
Amanda is a proud Brooklyn Arts Council Grantee and has danced for The Late Night with David Letterman, as well as choreographed and danced for Gabi DeMartino. Beyond ASTC, Amanda advocates for the dance community and independent workers nationwide. Collaborating with organizations like Freelancers Union NYC, she represents and reaffirms the identity and rightful positions of movement artists in society. Her commitment to fair compensation and recognition extends beyond dance, making her a powerful voice for change.
