Help Zoe Zak go to Drama Club (train at LAMDA)

HELLO! Thank you for clicking the link and arriving here! You are a kind, kind soul.

Yes I know. What do you want Zoe? Ooh yes, straight to it!

In a nutshell, over a span of twelve years I have spent six of them auditioning for top Drama Schools around the UK. I spent all but one of those years on reserve lists, waiting until the start of term to know what my future held. It was a process that would often span almost a year. At some stage I grew tired of the rejection from these institutions and went at it alone. I produced a short film (DOG ) which got me signed and then bit by bit I began to work. I've had some success, but it remains incredibly difficult to get seen (let alone working), especially in theatre - the industry is a bars-locked-shutters-down-closed shop. I was feeling uninspired, my brain felt like it was turning to sludge and I was existing, not living. I knew something needed to change. So at the end of 2019 I decided to open that drama school can of worms, despite the pain it had caused me previously, and reapply. Once again, I was put on reserve. But I persevered and this year, I am grateful to be able to tell you I've been offered a place at one of the most prestigious schools in the world; LAMDA. I am due to start the two year MFA Acting course in September.

Okay so what do you actually need, I'm busy and important, get to the point please? Yes yes, sorry. Umm. I need a lot of cash.

How much? In total? Oh I'm embarrassed to say... Okay fine in total, I need a whopping, stomach turning £36,430... The fees are £26,230 (not including inflation) for the two years alone and then I have calculated I need at least £10,800 per year to live. This figure includes London rent, food and travel during term time only, no extra's for phone bills, window cleaning (joke!), deodorant, equipment/books etc.

That total figure is actually £11570 more (yes, £48k), but as I can borrow that from the government, that amount is covered.

When by? The first £4371, which will secure my place is due immediately (GOSH THAT'S SOON)... Yes I know, but fortunately I can cover that with my savings... and then the following £4372 in January (sorry family, clementines for Christmas this year).

So why are you only raising £15k on here if you need so much more? Because it's already a terffiying amount to try and raise. Baby steps, £15k baby steps.

Why train though? You're already an actor? Well let me tell you exactly why Sonny Jim. The answer is simple - I want to grow and learn and be challenged in a way my career hasn't allowed thus far. I figured I could keep on hoping it would change, or I could take the plunge and make a change myself. Having not been through higher education (I left Leeds Uni after 3 months as I couldn't justify the cost of £9k a year for what I was receiving), and having frequently felt I could have really done with full-time training, I decided to gift myself the time out from the industry to sharpen my skills, within a world class institution and amongst some brilliant folk. It's a scary thing to go back into education/training after I've lived an adult life for so many years but I think it'll be worth it. And as a friend put it, 'it's scary investing in yourself but I don't know anyone who has regretted doing it'.

On that, if you can't afford it, why are you going? Ah yes, good question. Very good. Well, did you know that a figure of 91.8% of those working in theatre come from the middle classes and despite just 7% of British kids attending private schools, 42% of British BAFTA winners attended a fee-paying school...? Don't you think those numbers are horrifically wrong?

Ummm... Yes that's not great... Exactly. And I could turn my back on this opportunity, let the b*stards who have created a society that is so unfair win and give up my place to someone who comes from money, or I can go and help to raise the percentage of working class artists working in the industry.

Compelling. Good on you for not giving up. What about working? Oh yes I will, I'll work as much as I can! But with it being full-time, there's only so much earning I'll be able to do. I can suffer fairly badly from anxiety and depression and particularly anxiety induced insomnia, so not loading myself up too much is paramount to staying healthy in mind, body and spirit. I've always been a grafter, I shined shoes in the city for years and have had a multitude of jobs, I'm no stranger to working hard, but as I get older I'm learning more about what I need, and if I work every evening after a full day at school and then at weekends too, I will quickly burn out, my mental health will suffer, as will my work. I need to make my time training count.

Okay okay, so, are you any good? Hmm. Watch Proof of Life and you decide. It's very simple, home made, a collaboration in Lockdown 1.0 with two incredible fellow creatives. It was featured in The Guardian Stage and was later picked up by a Dutch theatre festival. Despite being filmed on my phone, the feedback has been pretty wonderful.

Or watch the video above.

Oh yes I was going to ask about that. What is that? What are you doing? I wrote it. It's spoken word. I've never made anything like it before. It just came out. It sums ups these past twelve years pretty well I think. I hope you like it.

Yes yes. Very good. Can you give me something for my money? EXCELLENT QUESTION. Gosh you're good at this. I have a bunch of colourful pineapples (made by my incredibly talented sculptor mother and creative sister) that I'll be giving away (whilst stocks last) to whoever wants one for donations over £50. Please see below for some examples. If you'd like one please message me and I'll let you know the colours and sizes available.

ALSO. My lovely mother has generously offered (slash been forced) to donate some of her other pieces she's made over the years. I can promise you, they are utterly beautiful. Again, example below. I'm setting up an online auction for them, but of course that takes some time. So if you would like to donate, but then decide you want a piece, I will knock your donation amount off the cost of the sculpture. Fair?

I'd say so. Good... Anything else you'd like to know, kind soul?

Do you accept travellers cheques? ... Sorry what? No. But I do accept other forms of support, a social media like or share (Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for example), a link sent to your rich benefactor type friend/grandpa/aunt etc. But honestly, little amounts can add up to a lot, so anything you feel you can give I will appreciate. I realise it's been a tough time of late for a lot of people and you may not be in a position to donate, so please only do so if you can.

I'll do what I can. Okay bye now. Bye! Thank you so much!

*Shouting into the distance after them* Oh and here are a few of my heroes who went to LAMDA!!