Career Pivot
Donation protected
As many of you know, the theatre industry, in which I have created a beautiful little puzzle of a career in, has been suspended indefinitely in the midst of this Global crisis. I have often said..."Sometimes the Universe opens doors...sometimes it pushes you through a plate glass window." I have found myself staring at the pieces of my life on the floor wondering how, if and when these shatters will come back together. This sounds dramatic, I know.
I'm an actor, what can I say?
However, if you know me at all, you know that I don't stay down for long...
In the past few months, I have been assessing my skills, my passions and my purpose. And the thing that I keep coming back to is my Recovery. I am not shy about the fact that through hard work, but more importantly: GRACE, I have not found it necessary to pick up a drug or a drink in over 8 years. It's because of this journey that I was able to pursue and find success as a theatre practitioner at all.
I have been blessed. Unfortunately. It just doesn't exist right now and the uncertainty of the future is forcing me to redirect my energy.
I am not turning my back on theatre or teaching theatre.
I have merely decided to add another leg to stand on.
I have enrolled in Cazenovia College to complete a Certification in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling. Classes begin NEXT WEEK. And I'm terrified.
This is a year long program that will allow me to take my passion of recovery to a new level. To expand my experience and ability to help others beyond what I had imagined for myself. It is my hope that through this program and additional studies that I can become a unique Recovery Coach & Spiritual Mentor. To add a tentacle to the career puzzle I have so intricately created.
Here's the catch. It costs money. I already have a FRIGHTENING amount of student loans out there from my Undergrad and Graduate Programs. And this CASAC program at Cazenovia does not accept Federal assistance anyway. Because it is a collegiate program, I am paying for "credits" and as many of you know, this can be expensive.
Each class I am taking is $870.00 and there are 9 required classes between now and next August. For a total of $7,830.00 for the entire program.
And so I am HUMBLY asking for help.
Please know that I will be feverishly looking into additional scholarship and grant opportunities...
But I ALSO know I have a tremendous amount of people out there in the Universe who love me and support both my performance/teaching career AND my recovery. If I could potentially get 250 people to donate $20 dollars, it would mean $5,000.00 towards this new chapter of my life.
And again, I am not looking to give up my practice or involvement of theatre. I am looking at this as an OPPORTUNITY to grow and expand. To help people.
I am happy to have conversations with people or answer any questions if you need more information about this path I am traveling.
Thank you for your consideration and should you decide to donate to this journey...know how much I am humbled and grateful for your generosity.
Warmly,
Aleks
I'm an actor, what can I say?
However, if you know me at all, you know that I don't stay down for long...
In the past few months, I have been assessing my skills, my passions and my purpose. And the thing that I keep coming back to is my Recovery. I am not shy about the fact that through hard work, but more importantly: GRACE, I have not found it necessary to pick up a drug or a drink in over 8 years. It's because of this journey that I was able to pursue and find success as a theatre practitioner at all.
I have been blessed. Unfortunately. It just doesn't exist right now and the uncertainty of the future is forcing me to redirect my energy.
I am not turning my back on theatre or teaching theatre.
I have merely decided to add another leg to stand on.
I have enrolled in Cazenovia College to complete a Certification in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling. Classes begin NEXT WEEK. And I'm terrified.
This is a year long program that will allow me to take my passion of recovery to a new level. To expand my experience and ability to help others beyond what I had imagined for myself. It is my hope that through this program and additional studies that I can become a unique Recovery Coach & Spiritual Mentor. To add a tentacle to the career puzzle I have so intricately created.
Here's the catch. It costs money. I already have a FRIGHTENING amount of student loans out there from my Undergrad and Graduate Programs. And this CASAC program at Cazenovia does not accept Federal assistance anyway. Because it is a collegiate program, I am paying for "credits" and as many of you know, this can be expensive.
Each class I am taking is $870.00 and there are 9 required classes between now and next August. For a total of $7,830.00 for the entire program.
And so I am HUMBLY asking for help.
Please know that I will be feverishly looking into additional scholarship and grant opportunities...
But I ALSO know I have a tremendous amount of people out there in the Universe who love me and support both my performance/teaching career AND my recovery. If I could potentially get 250 people to donate $20 dollars, it would mean $5,000.00 towards this new chapter of my life.
And again, I am not looking to give up my practice or involvement of theatre. I am looking at this as an OPPORTUNITY to grow and expand. To help people.
I am happy to have conversations with people or answer any questions if you need more information about this path I am traveling.
Thank you for your consideration and should you decide to donate to this journey...know how much I am humbled and grateful for your generosity.
Warmly,
Aleks
Organizer
Aleks Malejs
Organizer
Buffalo, NY