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Sheikh on Broadway! (Please watch this video)
My name is Sheikh Muhtade, I’m 17 years old, and I moved to the United States 2 and a half years ago from Bangladesh.
Growing up, I was always an artsy kid. I was in our country's first singing reality TV show for kids in 2008. But my parents’ pride stemmed from their lofty expectations of a 'picture perfect' Bengali kid who got straight A's in school and was heavily involved in ‘extra-curricular’ activities. Because in a Bengali family, thinking about pursuing performing arts was like committing a murder.
~Fuppi (My aunt): I have seen one Broadway show in my life, and those guys are powerful, tall, and handsome! Have you looked at yourself? You are a short, soft, and fragile boy. Do you think you'll make it? I don't think so. Be a doctor!
Ammu (My mother): Exactly! I hope none of these "Arts Colleges" accept you. I didn't move all the way here to America, sacrificing my career of teaching to see MY SON as an actor! Ugh! Why? Why you are you being so crazy?~
That was the initial - and ongoing - reaction when I told my family that I want to pursue acting as my career. They have made it clear they are not supporting any part of my passions. Which is why I am seeking help for the next phase in my journey- a move to the prestigious University of Miami for my BFA in Musical Theatre.
I got a generous scholarship from the school based on my merit and talent. However I need this $10,000 to cover the remaining tuition and buy all the supplies that I need for my school which includes plane-ticket, laptop, phone, dance and rehearsal clothing, dance shoes- which are very expensive- regular clothing, supplies for my dorm and also to have some safety money till I find a job.
Anything helps- you are directly supporting an immigrant child with big dreams. I am very determined and willing to put in the time and hard work. And every achievement that I have had so far proves that hard work will pay off (including mentorship from James Lapine, getting an internship from Broadway League and being able to work with the company of Dear Evan Hansen. I was lucky enough to get selected into the very same summer conservatory theater program New York State Summer School of the Arts-NYSSSA where Academy Award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman went, and I had the privilege to work with the fantastic John Astin there. I appeared on Broadway- in the stage of Hamilton- where I had the opportunity to sing an original song that was written and composed by my fellow friends and me. Then at the same year, I had to honor to appear on Broadway once again. I performed in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and had my NY City Center Debut in a musical with a featured role that starred Broadway knowns like Victoria Davis, Ashley Park and many more.)
Getting into 11(some of them were Pace, SUNY Purchase, University of Miami and Marymount Manhattan) out of the 13 BFA Programs that I auditioned for and finishing high school with a 3.7/4.0 GPA were also the indicators that this IS my calling.
I have a goal, and I have a vision. Not only my family has been an obstacle, but there have been many more. "You are too fat, you are too brown to be cast in the show, you are too poor and not good enough to continue this in college." are some of the things I heard along the way.
But ever since I saw the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, I knew that was IT! My goal has become to be the BEST VERSION of myself and get ready to be on Broadway. Musical Theatre and Acting have been that sacred place for me where I become fearless and my true self. Every time I am on that stage, performing, I realize every single time that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to become a story-teller, an entertainer. And I am ready to fight all the demons that will try to steer me away from my goal.
I want to have a fantastic college experience and inspire some other kids from South Asian backgrounds to go after their dreams no matter what the obstacles are. I want to be the Bangladeshi-American actor on Broadway who would inspire others to break the barriers of our confined culture.
Thank you so much for your support! I promise you that I won't let your kind and generous donation go in vain.
My name is Sheikh Muhtade, I’m 17 years old, and I moved to the United States 2 and a half years ago from Bangladesh.
Growing up, I was always an artsy kid. I was in our country's first singing reality TV show for kids in 2008. But my parents’ pride stemmed from their lofty expectations of a 'picture perfect' Bengali kid who got straight A's in school and was heavily involved in ‘extra-curricular’ activities. Because in a Bengali family, thinking about pursuing performing arts was like committing a murder.
~Fuppi (My aunt): I have seen one Broadway show in my life, and those guys are powerful, tall, and handsome! Have you looked at yourself? You are a short, soft, and fragile boy. Do you think you'll make it? I don't think so. Be a doctor!
Ammu (My mother): Exactly! I hope none of these "Arts Colleges" accept you. I didn't move all the way here to America, sacrificing my career of teaching to see MY SON as an actor! Ugh! Why? Why you are you being so crazy?~
That was the initial - and ongoing - reaction when I told my family that I want to pursue acting as my career. They have made it clear they are not supporting any part of my passions. Which is why I am seeking help for the next phase in my journey- a move to the prestigious University of Miami for my BFA in Musical Theatre.
I got a generous scholarship from the school based on my merit and talent. However I need this $10,000 to cover the remaining tuition and buy all the supplies that I need for my school which includes plane-ticket, laptop, phone, dance and rehearsal clothing, dance shoes- which are very expensive- regular clothing, supplies for my dorm and also to have some safety money till I find a job.
Anything helps- you are directly supporting an immigrant child with big dreams. I am very determined and willing to put in the time and hard work. And every achievement that I have had so far proves that hard work will pay off (including mentorship from James Lapine, getting an internship from Broadway League and being able to work with the company of Dear Evan Hansen. I was lucky enough to get selected into the very same summer conservatory theater program New York State Summer School of the Arts-NYSSSA where Academy Award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman went, and I had the privilege to work with the fantastic John Astin there. I appeared on Broadway- in the stage of Hamilton- where I had the opportunity to sing an original song that was written and composed by my fellow friends and me. Then at the same year, I had to honor to appear on Broadway once again. I performed in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and had my NY City Center Debut in a musical with a featured role that starred Broadway knowns like Victoria Davis, Ashley Park and many more.)
Getting into 11(some of them were Pace, SUNY Purchase, University of Miami and Marymount Manhattan) out of the 13 BFA Programs that I auditioned for and finishing high school with a 3.7/4.0 GPA were also the indicators that this IS my calling.
I have a goal, and I have a vision. Not only my family has been an obstacle, but there have been many more. "You are too fat, you are too brown to be cast in the show, you are too poor and not good enough to continue this in college." are some of the things I heard along the way.
But ever since I saw the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, I knew that was IT! My goal has become to be the BEST VERSION of myself and get ready to be on Broadway. Musical Theatre and Acting have been that sacred place for me where I become fearless and my true self. Every time I am on that stage, performing, I realize every single time that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to become a story-teller, an entertainer. And I am ready to fight all the demons that will try to steer me away from my goal.
I want to have a fantastic college experience and inspire some other kids from South Asian backgrounds to go after their dreams no matter what the obstacles are. I want to be the Bangladeshi-American actor on Broadway who would inspire others to break the barriers of our confined culture.
Thank you so much for your support! I promise you that I won't let your kind and generous donation go in vain.
Organizer
NaFis Storyteller
Organizer
Elmhurst, NY