Help Lata go to LAMDA

Hi, my name is Lata. I'm an emerging actor and this year I got a place to study Classical Acting at LAMDA.

LAMDA is one of the top drama schools in the UK (if not the world). But training here in the UK is expensive - my fees are a total of £28,000.

I have a student loan of £12,000 and can cover some of the fees with my savings - but I need your help with the final £5000.

The fact that I was good enough to get in on my first year of auditioning is so affirming. I nearly decided to turn down the offer because of the overwhelming cost, but it doesn't seem right that I shouldn't be able to train because of the financial burden. So I'm asking friends, family, colleagues, and my wider network for help.

More about Me

I was born and raised in Charlton in South East London. I am half-Indian. My parents aren't artists so I have gone into theatre through my own motivation and graft.

My work has led me to a successful career so far as a director. I have directed work particularly around disability and neurodivergence. I have also assistant directed at the RSC, Donmar Warehouse, and Chichester Theatre, and was resident assistant director for Kali Theatre, a theatre company producing plays written by South Asian women, in 2022.

Lata as Edie in Emma Dawson's new play, at Theatre 503, 2022

I am a creative associate for Lazarus Theatre Company, a company that has influenced my work and outlook hugely. I work as a facilitator at Tramshed in Woolwich, a company which I have had a connection with since 2016. I had my first facilitation jobs here and have since been passionately delivering community projects to creative people in Woolwich with Tramshed.

I have loved being a director, but I during the pandemic I realised that I had taken a side-step from what I really wanted to do, which was acting. I have been pursuing acting since then, and have played various exciting roles including with Players all-female theatre company, and performing in my own devised show about clinical depression, Your Call Is Important to Us. I recently played the lead role in a short film for the Halo Project, a charity that raises awareness around honour-based violence.

Lata as Nafisa in Behind Closed Doors

(The Halo Project Short Film, directed by Jained Iqbal)

Charitable work is part of my DNA as an artist. It's part of the reason I believe that I'm not now hugely wealthy - I am highly capable but have always wanted to work in a way that is ethical and contributes to communities rather than the the capitalist system.

I want to be a trained, qualified actor, to take my work to the next level. This includes as a professional actor but also as a facilitator. This is work that I will invest back into Tramshed as a facilitator - with 'Introduction to Shakespeare' workshops planned in October half term which I will be leading.

Assistant Director, The Other Boleyn Girl (Chichester Theatre 2024)

I don't think this world would be worth living in without artists. I'm committed to nurturing other artists. At this point, I am asking if you will return the favour and support me to be the best artist I can be.

You can read more about my theatre work on my website: www.latanobes.com