Help Jay fund drama school

Hey! I'm Jay, an actor from East London trying to raise funds to train at drama school this September.

My journey to drama

I wanted to be an actor as young as 8; when I was cast in my local theatre production. Ever since I've pursued this challenging but invigorating career, taking part in all the opportunities I could get my hands on.

Growing up in a deprived area on a very low income meant I worked part-time in my local corner shop from the age of 13 to afford drama classes each week. I'd commute from East London to Harrow after school every Thursday evening to practice this thing I loved.

I spent my half-terms and summer holidays taking part in productions at the Bridewell Theatre in London, as part of the St Bride's Youth Theatre Programme. When I was 17 I was accepted into the National Youth Theatre and my participation there ignited my passion even further.

The setback

Growing up with a severe speech impediment, I had a gut feeling that drama schools wouldn't accept me. When I got recalls for top schools I hoped it had gone unnoticed and secretly hoped that my voice issue would just miraculously disappear while training. Instead, during my audition at Italia Conti I was told it would hinder me, and that I should go and work on it with a speech therapist and then audition again next year.

I went away on that day crushed, thinking my chance to be an actor was now gone. But that feeling soon turned into gratitude that finally someone had told me the harsh truth, giving me the opportunity to do something about it. The school recommended a voice tutor who was an expert in these things, and who taught at top drama schools. I got in touch with her, Annie Morrison, and she changed my life when after only four sessions in a tiny room at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, I was suddenly able to speak in a different voice - without the lisp. I asked Conti to see me again, and they kindly did.

I did it!

I then got a place at the school and trained there for three years on the BA Acting course.

I read countless scripts, performed Shakespeare and took a play to the Edinburgh Fringe with my peers. But my time there wasn't easy; I had personal issues going on constantly in the background, as well as emerging health issues which made focusing on my training very difficult. I describe it now as 'one foot out of the door'. I graduated and got auditions and bits of theatre and film work but not at the level or consistency I had hoped for.

Taking a step back

Between auditions and acting jobs, I became a flight attendant for a while, exploring the cities of Europe and Scandinavia, but my health deteriorated and I was unable to continue.

I worked in social media for a while and then realised how much I missed acting being at the forefront of my life. Living with a chronic health condition gave me a new perspective and reminded me how much joy telling stories through performance gives me; and how important it is.

So, this year I applied to drama schools for the MA courses, which are great for actors who've already had some training or worked in the industry but need to polish up their skills. With lots having happened in life since my days at Conti, I've matured emotionally and mentally; I know who I am and am comfortable with myself for the first time - so I feel ready.

The courses will train me in voice, movement, stage and screen combat, the Alexander Technique (a highly regarded part of actor training), singing, acting technique composing different practitioners, public performance, script work, improvisation and industry preparation.

After several rounds of initial auditions, recalls, and final stages, I am still in shock that I have managed to get a place at four leading drama schools:

Mountview - MA Acting

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire - MA Acting

East15 - MA Acting

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School - MA Screen Acting

The schools are highly selective, taking between 14 to 30 students a year depending on the school - and they audition up to 5000.

Why do I need financial help?

The biggest barrier I've faced in pursuing this career is the financial one; the industry is slowly improving but even just applying for drama school involves multiple audition fees and travel costs. There aren't waivers for low-income applicants when applying to MA programs.

In the UK, the maximum student loan for these courses is £12,000. This is supposed to cover living costs and the cost of the course. However, these course fees range from £12,000 - £19,875. This means that even if I go to the school with the cheapest course fees, I will have no maintenance/living cost loans or grants.

The courses are very intensive and typical hours are 8.30am-6pm most days, leaving little room to work around the course. Due to my significant health issues, I am very limited with how much work my body would be able to cope with outside of the course demands. I will work as much as I can, but I will struggle to train at any of these schools without some help.

One of the schools has selected me for a scholarship in the form of a slight reduction in tuition fees, but as it stands I'd be unable to afford to train there even with the reduction. These scholarships are decided on talent, and I am so grateful to have been selected, but I will need to raise some money to make my dream of training at one of these amazing schools a reality this September.

I hate asking for money or help in general. I usually figure things out on my own. But this is something I am going to swallow my pride and ask for some help with because I don't want to let this incredible opportunity pass me by.

Thank you, for whatever you can do to help

Any and all donations, or even shares to your network of friends and family so that more people can see this, will be truly appreciated and always remembered throughout my career and life.

JAY x