Hello friends, family and everyone who has found their way here!

Firstly thank-you so much for taking the time to read this. It means so much to have all your support as I embark on this new chapter as a member of the 55th Class in the Juilliard School of Acting.

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Dominique Froud. I'm 22 years old and from Brighton, UK. I am delighted to share with you that after six rounds of auditions over the span of 5-months, I have been accepted into The Juilliard School in New York to study BFA Acting.

Juilliard is widely regarded as one of the best drama schools in the world, with alumni such as Robin Williams, Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, Oscar Isaacs, Adam Driver and many more. Out of thousands of annual applicants, the course only admits 18 students each year. It truly is one of the world’s most competitive programmes to gain admission to.

Whilst it was hard to imagine winning a place at this prestigious school (I’m still processing that it’s real), going to drama school is something I feel I have been gradually working toward my entire life. I have consistently thrown myself into everything and anything I could do to learn, grow and ultimately do the thing I love: acting.

Starting at school in GCSE and A Level Drama, I attended every extra-curricular club you can imagine, alongside my local theatre group Ariel Company Theatre on Saturday mornings. I filled as many waking hours as I could doing what I loved. When I was seventeen, I auditioned and was accepted into the National Youth Musical Theatre. For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by like-minded people who were as passionate and committed to this beautiful craft as me.

After finishing school and unsuccessfully applying to drama schools, I moved to London. I went straight to work at a company called Daisie, a platform for people in the creative industries. Moving to London completely expanded my world, and with it, my love for the arts. Theatre, film and photography were suddenly so open and accessible to me and I couldn’t get enough.

Alongside my job I found an amazing acting class at Home Studio London to continue developing my skills as an actor. This program was exactly what I needed, to be constantly pushed and challenged. It also affirmed what I already knew, which was that I really wanted to train professionally and dedicate myself to my craft.

I have been applying to drama schools in London for the last three years. Last year, I made it to the final round at three schools and was devastated when I ultimately didn’t get a place.

In early 2022, I decided to apply to Juilliard. I never thought for a second I would get in or that I could ever afford to live in New York City. Every ‘Yes’ I received from Juilliard during the five rounds of auditions felt like some sort of fevered dream.

The final round was a 4-day callback weekend at the school. We had the opportunity to meet all of the faculty members and take part in classes. It was the first time I felt like I was doing exactly what I was meant to be doing. This is how my body and mind work. Walking home after the long days in class, I couldn’t help but smile and feel a little emotional thinking about how good and natural it felt to express myself in this way.

A few days later I received a call to say I’d been accepted into Group 55.

Why I need your help

Juilliard is truly a dream come true. However, with this life changing offer, comes the high cost of attendance. Whilst it is a difficult task to ask my friends, family and kind strangers for money in this situation, I can’t afford to be proud. I simply can’t let this pass me by.

The total expected fees to attend Juilliard for a year are $81,236. I have been awarded a very generous scholarship of $40,000. Which leaves me $41,236 short, still a considerable way off.

As an international student, it’s nearly impossible to get student loans or external scholarships in America. I also can’t work when I’m out there because I will be on a student visa- I plan to work the summers at home in the UK. Putting all of my savings from my last few years working takes me to $55,000- still $25,000 short. Just over £20,000.

This is a huge amount of money for anyone to raise, so anything you can do to support me, no matter how small, will really change my life. I’m still pinching myself that I have the opportunity to attend this school. Now I just need the chance to go.

Another way you can help is sharing this link as far and wide as possible, you never know who might stumble across it.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!

Lots and lots of love

Dominique x

If you'd like to read more about Juilliard: https://www.juilliard.edu/drama/acting

If you'd like to read more about the fee breakdown: https://www.juilliard.edu/drama/acting https://www.juilliard.edu/campus-life/tuition-financial-aid/tuition-fees-and-expenses