Help fund my training at The Oxford School of Drama

Hi, I’m Faye Ziegler and I’m setting this page up to help fund my training on the One Year Course at The Oxford School of Drama in September. I found out recently that I am only 13 days too old for a Dance and Drama Award, which would have covered my tuition fees and maintenance costs. I wrote to the Government Department of Education to ask that they look at my situation within its context, but unfortunately there are simply no exceptions made. I’m now presented with a very different financial situation.

Although I grew up in Norfolk, I have been living and working in London to fund my own short-term actor training and be in productions across London, but the amount needed for a professional training is out of my reach. I grew up in a family of actors, soaked in the language of feeling and imagination, already in love with its ancient power and ability to weave a thread between us all, and yet I had never felt brave enough to be a part of it. But stepping out as a character in my first play, everything fell into place. It finally landed me back in my body after being hospitalised for an eating disorder when I was very young, brought the vivid imagination I had always had into something physical, vital, strong, and turned my biggest conflict into a force for good. It gave me a sudden jolt of clarity: this would be the way I would live. It made me come alive again. I started a degree in English Literature at King's College London, but within a few weeks I was restless and yearning to do what I knew in my gut was the right decision. I left to pursue this need to train to be an actor. The Oxford School of Drama is a brilliant and innovative conservatoire and, despite being the youngest accredited drama school, it is considered to be one of the top drama schools in the world. My year, of just 15 actors, perform in showcases in both Oxford and London next year to industry professionals, after an intensive period of training. The school consistently produces exceptional artists, so I trust that, through them, I will emerge into the actor I want to become, equipped with rigorous technique, discipline and skill before entering this highly competitive industry.

This past year I have played Dora Maar in a new play ‘Maar, Dora’ at the Old Red Lion for two runs, and at The Cockpit and The Courtyard Theatre in Camden Fringe. This has been a piece of work I hold very close to my heart; portraying an artist and woman I admire so deeply has been a privilege and only affirmed that this is where I need to be. It has taken me longer than some to realise this, but I’ve never been more certain. Becoming an actor has been the best decision I’ve ever made, and I know now that I will do whatever it takes to take this place. So, if you are able to, any contribution would be immensely helpful and I would be endlessly grateful for it.