Hello,
My name is Tabitha Farley, I am 20 years old and have grown up in Bournemouth, Dorset. I was absolutely over the moon to have been offered a place at The Urdang Academy in London on the 3 year course to study a Level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre in 2015, however due to insufficient funds I deferred my place ready to start in September 2016 in the hope I can somehow raise enough money.
For as long as I can remember, performing is all I’ve ever wanted to do. Even as a child I would jump on any opportunity to perform in front of an audience of some form and this is one thing that hasn't changed over the years. For me, the thrill I obtain from performing is irreplaceable and I have devoted my life to performing so much so I have tried to take up any opportunity that has arisen that could provide different experiences including school productions and local amateur musicals, performing on local radio stations and even taking part in some filming work.
In my Gap years, while also saving up as much money as I could, I have continued my training, taking up as many lessons as i could afford to. On top of my lessons, I also enrolled in a Level 4 Trinity Diploma where I was awarded a distinction in Musical Theatre. This only made my hunger to begin training full time grow.
The Urdang Academy is a leading UK Theatre School that trains its students to be the very best theatre performers in the country. With Brian Friedman and Arlene Phillips as Patrons and an impressive list of Alumni, Urdang has always been my dream school. Each year approximately 2000 people audition for 50 places, of which approximately 30 successful candidates are girls and I was one of the lucky few.
http://www.theurdangacademy.com/
After I knew I was unable to attend The Urdang Academy in 2015. I decided to take a look at the larger picture and give something back to the community by flying out to Nepal after the devastating Earthquake and staying in a small town for just under a month while we enrolled in a building project. We were lucky enough to impact the lives of so many, re-building a total of 10 schools in just a few short weeks. On top of this, during the days as they were unable to have lessons, we spent as much time as we could teaching them English, playing with them and learning about their culture. This experience taught me not only how lucky I am to have been offered a place at such an increible school, but also, seeing the positivity and optimism from everyone in the village despite everything they have lost showed me that I should never give up.
When I got back from my charity work in Nepal I focussed on working and training. I worked full time 40 hours a week earning as much money as I could. I was also a teaching assistant in the evenings for children between the ages of 4 and 15 which in return gave me my theatre lessons for free. But unfortunately after a year of hard work I still haven't raised anywhere near enough money to fund my training.
Not only was I lucky enough to gain a place at the school, I was also awarded a small scholarship. However this barely covers half of my tuition fees I need for the three years that I am there. I also have to find the money for the rent (£600 per month) and a never ending kit list.
However big or small your donation, everything gets me one step closer to achieving my dream. I cannot defer my place again, so it is now or never and I will not miss this opportunity.
If you can dream it, you can do it.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions,
Thank you
Tabitha
My name is Tabitha Farley, I am 20 years old and have grown up in Bournemouth, Dorset. I was absolutely over the moon to have been offered a place at The Urdang Academy in London on the 3 year course to study a Level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre in 2015, however due to insufficient funds I deferred my place ready to start in September 2016 in the hope I can somehow raise enough money.
For as long as I can remember, performing is all I’ve ever wanted to do. Even as a child I would jump on any opportunity to perform in front of an audience of some form and this is one thing that hasn't changed over the years. For me, the thrill I obtain from performing is irreplaceable and I have devoted my life to performing so much so I have tried to take up any opportunity that has arisen that could provide different experiences including school productions and local amateur musicals, performing on local radio stations and even taking part in some filming work.
In my Gap years, while also saving up as much money as I could, I have continued my training, taking up as many lessons as i could afford to. On top of my lessons, I also enrolled in a Level 4 Trinity Diploma where I was awarded a distinction in Musical Theatre. This only made my hunger to begin training full time grow.
The Urdang Academy is a leading UK Theatre School that trains its students to be the very best theatre performers in the country. With Brian Friedman and Arlene Phillips as Patrons and an impressive list of Alumni, Urdang has always been my dream school. Each year approximately 2000 people audition for 50 places, of which approximately 30 successful candidates are girls and I was one of the lucky few.
http://www.theurdangacademy.com/
After I knew I was unable to attend The Urdang Academy in 2015. I decided to take a look at the larger picture and give something back to the community by flying out to Nepal after the devastating Earthquake and staying in a small town for just under a month while we enrolled in a building project. We were lucky enough to impact the lives of so many, re-building a total of 10 schools in just a few short weeks. On top of this, during the days as they were unable to have lessons, we spent as much time as we could teaching them English, playing with them and learning about their culture. This experience taught me not only how lucky I am to have been offered a place at such an increible school, but also, seeing the positivity and optimism from everyone in the village despite everything they have lost showed me that I should never give up.
When I got back from my charity work in Nepal I focussed on working and training. I worked full time 40 hours a week earning as much money as I could. I was also a teaching assistant in the evenings for children between the ages of 4 and 15 which in return gave me my theatre lessons for free. But unfortunately after a year of hard work I still haven't raised anywhere near enough money to fund my training.
Not only was I lucky enough to gain a place at the school, I was also awarded a small scholarship. However this barely covers half of my tuition fees I need for the three years that I am there. I also have to find the money for the rent (£600 per month) and a never ending kit list.
However big or small your donation, everything gets me one step closer to achieving my dream. I cannot defer my place again, so it is now or never and I will not miss this opportunity.
If you can dream it, you can do it.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions,
Thank you
Tabitha
Organizer
Tabitha Rose Farley
Organizer