Hello.  Thankyou for finding your way to my justgiving page for my RADA fundraising appeal.

I am training to work in stage management , which is a field that I am passionate about.  I have just completed a BTEC National Diploma at the Brunts School, Mansfield., achieving a triple distinction in Production Arts.  As part of this course I have stage managed a musical production of Oliver with an orchestra of 8, a cast of over 100 and a stage crew of 20.  

I have worked 'on the book' (DSM) for David Holman's 'The Whale', a political play for which we donated the profit from the show to The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.

 I have stage managed and worked on the book for Billy Youth Theatre which is an adaption of the West End Show for youth groups.  We took this show to The Mansfield Palace Theatre and sold out full house for the 3 night run.  We then took it to The Nottingham Playhouse for a very successful one night only show.

I enjoy being an integral part of taking a show from rehearsal to opening night and sharing in the sense of ownership of the show.  I have a passion for stage management and working on shows gives me an adrenalin rush and a buzz.  It is my ambition to have a long successful career in Stage Management.  

I have also worked as an Events Manager with ABC Arts, Mansfield on a youth literacy workshop event around the book 'Where the Wild Things Are'. Project managed the props and scenic department for a community pantomime of Cinderella.  I have just completed technical management of Art Award Live, Nottinghamshire, which was a celebration of the achievements of all Arts Award students in Nottingham City and County and Arts Mark Schools.

I occasionally work in live sound engineering and stage lighting operation.  I have been involved in numerous scenic carpentry construction and painting projects and made various modern and period props for shows.  I have a passion for theatre, musicals, live arts, concerts, opera and ballet and enjoy all aspects of admin, management,  backstage theatre and performance work.

I am currently working towards my Arts Award Gold, which I hope to achieve in the next few weeks. (22.7.2010)

I have successfully survived a very competitive application process to get a firm offer of a place at RADA, to study a 2 year Technical Theatre and Stage Management Foundation Degree course, beginning Monday 20 September 2010.

The maximum amount of student loans and grants available is £8,381.00 of which I have applied for the full amount.  However, in RADA's experience the actual living costs of relocating to London are between £10,500 and £11,000 per year. This leaves me a potential deficit of £2,619 per year.  Unlike most other universities, students are unable to partake in regular part time work due to the high contact time on the course, in excess of 36 hours per week plus evening work on planning and performance, additional employment is deemed detrimental to health and training. 

I am trying to raise £6,000 in total to cover my two years at RADA.  I understand that this is quite a large amount but through my own personal fund raising, RADA's support in fund raising and your support through this website, I know that little by little, we will achieve our goal. Whether you can give a one off donation or commit to a regular contribution, a network of ten people able to donate £5.00 per week will contribute £2,600 towards my annual costs. I will post regular updates on my progress at RADA and can credit you in interviews after I have graduated from RADA and am working professionally, if you so wish.

I intend to use my admin and management knowledge to run some events to assist in my personal fund raising goals, I intend to have a car boot sale, assist RADA with applications to trusts and foundations, writing to philanthropic individuals and my local mayor, chamber of commerce and MP, Rotary Club and companies that I have found to be assistant in raising money in my previous charity campaigns for Tear Fund, (charity number 265464) and Operation Wallacea (charity number 1078362).  My family intend to support me as best they are able.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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