“RADA intends to maintain and strengthen its position within the English- speaking world as the foremost centre of excellence in its field. RADA is a vocational training establishment, which equips student actors, actresses, stage managers and technical craft specialists for careers at the highest level in theatre, television, film and radio.”

 I have been selected to train on the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art’s three year acting course. The offer of a place comes after their rigourous audition process of four auditions which took place over six months, and against fierce odds; over 2000 applicants for 32 places. I am absolutely thrilled to have been accepted at RADA, it is a huge honour and a fantastic start to my career. The Academy’s training is among the best in the world and the school has been at the heart of the British theatre industry for over a century.

Having been offered a place now comes the next challenge: how to afford it. At RADA the training is extremely intensive involving eight hours of classes a day Monday-Friday with individual classes and required preparation in the evenings. It will therefore be almost impossible to earn any significant contribution to my costs through even a part-time job during my studies.

In addition to this, new student funding regulations introduced this year makes anyone who has previously taken out a student loan ineligible for any further government support in the form of loans or grants. This has been terrible news to say the least as my degree in European Drama at University of Sussex was only financially possible by taking out the maximum student loan and working part time.

As a Londoner, I am very lucky to be able to live at home throughout my course and so dramatically reduce my living expenses but I will be making a weekly contribution to my household to cover rent, food and bills as well as paying the cost of travelling into central London everyday. I’ve calculated that my minimum weekly budget, based only on essentials, will be £90 which means I will need to raise a minimum of £5000 per year for each of the three years on top of the Academy's annual fees of  £3000.

I have always tried to support myself and it is very hard to accept that due to the nature of my course I cannot do this on my own but must ask for assistance. I am therefore appealing here to anyone that is willing and able to help me raise the £8000 I need for each year of my course. 

Should you choose to support my appeal it will not just benefit me but the Academy as a whole as it will support the causes of all those who, due to their background or circumstances, would be unable to take full advantage of an amazing opportunity which unfortunately carries with it a heavy financial burden. Any money donated here will go directly to RADA, which is a registered charity. They will hold it in an account for me and dispense it in the form of meal or travel vouchers or cash when I need it.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art will receive your money faster and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

 

Rebecca