Beyoncé Goes to Emerson - My BFA Journey
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My name is Beyoncé Martinez. I am 18 years old, and a graduating senior at the Margarita Muñiz Academy in Boston, MA.
For quite some time, my dream has been to be a professional actor. I have found so much bliss from the theater world and how through theater I can tell stores that matter to me through this form of Art.
I was the second place winner in the August Wilson National Monologue Competition Regionals in Boston 2018, and was a contestant at Nationals. I was also the sole recipient of the 2018 Boston University Summer Theatre Institute Scholarship for this competition.
Additionally, I am a relationship health activist and work with the One Love Foundation and the MA state coalition for relationship health to prevent intimate partner violence.
For a while, a dream of mine has been to be able to attend Emerson University, dive deeply into the study of theater arts, become the actor I want to be, and break through boundaries society puts on us.
As an Afro-Latina woman, people like me historically have not been a large part of the American theater community and I want to change this norm.
I am aware knowing that “breaking through boundaries” is tiring and not easy, and that being at a predominantly white institution is not simple, especially in a BFA program which where most of my peers will be white, largely affluent students, but it’s something I am determined to do.
Due to financial circumstances, I am not able to afford Emerson’s high costs for living on campus. My family does not come from a well-off background, and that is the sad reality of most POC going into college. I have spent over 25 hours with my family, college advisors, and mentor advocating for enough funding to attend Emerson. After countless phone calls and letters, my academic tuition is almost covered. However, this is not enough.
I need enough funding to live on campus, in order to succeed as a BFA student whose hours are more demanding than that of a regular college student. I have been pressured and advised by many people that in order to succeed academically in this kind of program, living on campus is my only option. Adding to this reality, my mother’s annual salary does not amount to the cost of dorms for just ONE year at Emerson. Myself and my team have pushed harder on Emerson to provide more funding, which has not been successful, and other scholarships I’m applying to and receiving won’t even come close to what I need.
$25,000 is just under the amount it will cost to cover my housing (21k/year) and remaining tuition not covered by financial aid and scholarships.
With your help, I will be able to start my goals without the burden of hefty, financially unadvisable private student loans, which are my only other option at this point.
Any kind of donation or support to my education would mean the world to me and will help me out more than you know.
I am extremely committed to making the world of theater a place where more people like me can feel a sense of belonging.
With so much gratitude,
Beyoncé Martinez
For quite some time, my dream has been to be a professional actor. I have found so much bliss from the theater world and how through theater I can tell stores that matter to me through this form of Art.
I was the second place winner in the August Wilson National Monologue Competition Regionals in Boston 2018, and was a contestant at Nationals. I was also the sole recipient of the 2018 Boston University Summer Theatre Institute Scholarship for this competition.
Additionally, I am a relationship health activist and work with the One Love Foundation and the MA state coalition for relationship health to prevent intimate partner violence.
For a while, a dream of mine has been to be able to attend Emerson University, dive deeply into the study of theater arts, become the actor I want to be, and break through boundaries society puts on us.
As an Afro-Latina woman, people like me historically have not been a large part of the American theater community and I want to change this norm.
I am aware knowing that “breaking through boundaries” is tiring and not easy, and that being at a predominantly white institution is not simple, especially in a BFA program which where most of my peers will be white, largely affluent students, but it’s something I am determined to do.
Due to financial circumstances, I am not able to afford Emerson’s high costs for living on campus. My family does not come from a well-off background, and that is the sad reality of most POC going into college. I have spent over 25 hours with my family, college advisors, and mentor advocating for enough funding to attend Emerson. After countless phone calls and letters, my academic tuition is almost covered. However, this is not enough.
I need enough funding to live on campus, in order to succeed as a BFA student whose hours are more demanding than that of a regular college student. I have been pressured and advised by many people that in order to succeed academically in this kind of program, living on campus is my only option. Adding to this reality, my mother’s annual salary does not amount to the cost of dorms for just ONE year at Emerson. Myself and my team have pushed harder on Emerson to provide more funding, which has not been successful, and other scholarships I’m applying to and receiving won’t even come close to what I need.
$25,000 is just under the amount it will cost to cover my housing (21k/year) and remaining tuition not covered by financial aid and scholarships.
With your help, I will be able to start my goals without the burden of hefty, financially unadvisable private student loans, which are my only other option at this point.
Any kind of donation or support to my education would mean the world to me and will help me out more than you know.
I am extremely committed to making the world of theater a place where more people like me can feel a sense of belonging.
With so much gratitude,
Beyoncé Martinez
Organizer
Beyonce Martinez
Organizer
Boston, MA
