The Browns in the Big Apple Fund

*Video of my showcase performance with Open Jar Insitute's week long intensive. 
Hello!
My name is Chelsea Brown. My husband, Mitchell and I are moving to New York City in September to allow me to pursue my lifelong dream of Broadway. I have been performing since I was a toddler. It's always been the biggest part of who I am as a person. Performing at church, school, my bedroom, it never mattered, as long as I had the chance to sing and dance for someone. When it came time for me to choose a college to attend, I knew I wanted to go to a university to pursue Musical Theatre. However, God had different plans for me. I was rejected by every school I auditioned for. I ended up in rural West TN at Bethel University where I was scholarshipped to do theatre, but majored in Elementary Education. I met the love of my life there, and we were married August 2014. After graduation, I accepted a teaching position at Mckenzie Elementary School to teach 1st grade. My life was blessed by the students and staff, but my heart yearned for more. This summer, I was invited to come and study MT with the Open Jar Institute of NYC as well as perform in a new musical my dear friends wrote Long story short, God threw the doors wide open on my dreams and I have been accepted into the Open Jar of NYC Residency program. For 2 months, I will learn and soak up all I can in the performance field and then perform in an agent showcase for actor representation- something that could jumpstart my career. During this time, I will be actively working and auditioning as well. Mitchell and I decided to throw caution to the wind and despite lack of funds, we are relying on God to see us through this time in order to achieve my dreams. Where there is no risk, there is no reward. We are asking our dear family and friends to consider helping us make this dream come true. With this major life change comes a hefty tuition for the program, flights, living arrangements and expenses, food costs and lack of health insurance. No donation is too small. Please pray for us during this exciting yet tumultuous time as we uproot and go where God is leading us. This is all I have ever wanted for my life. To not only perform on the BIG stage, but to inspire, entertain, encourage and challenge others to go for their dreams, no matter the price. May God bless you all and THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for your unending love and support in this great endeavor. I am so thankful, so lucky to get this opportunity to go for my dreams.