My name is Laura Trosser, and I am an actor and Harvard graduate. After four years of auditioning, I've just been offered a place to train at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). I am over the moon to be joining the likes of John Lithgow, Benedict Cumberbatch and Ruth Wilson to study at this incredible institution.

However, such training comes at a cost. For the two year course, I need to raise roughly £25,000 (£12,360 a year in fees, let alone London living costs). So, I am asking for your help. Any amount you can offer will go a long way towards getting me to my goal.

Antigonick, Harvard University 2013, dir. Ianthe Demos

I was able to study at Harvard thanks to the incredible help of alumni donors and the financial aid office. I spent four amazing years there studying theatre literature with the Comparative Literature department, and discovering a talent and passion for acting.

I realise it's a lot to ask to support me as I embark upon a career in the arts. Not always the safest industry! However, other people have already demonstrated their faith in my potential. In 2015 I was awarded the Jonathan Levy award for the most promising actor at Harvard. In 2017 a reviewer in the Evening Standard named me a "future star" for my performance in the NYT's production of 'Blue Stockings' by Jessica Swale. And then, every year, around 3,000 people apply for the course at LAMDA, for just 28 places –a success rate of just under 1%. So this is an opportunity that I cannot pass up, to spend two years training to become the best actor I can be.

Finally, a little about LAMDA:

“A world-leading Higher Education provider, we offer exceptional vocational training to actors, stage managers, technicians, directors and designers, regardless of their background or economic circumstances.

Conservatoire training is, by its nature, selective as we train only the best – limiting our course numbers and teaching in small groups. The ensemble is at the heart of our work; drama is a collaborative art form and our training stresses the importance of collaboration to achieve excellence. The training is vocational because drama is a vocation and we are training students for a profession. The training is practical because drama is about doing and being.”

You can find more information on their website.

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