Young Bard Studio Start-up
Donation protected
Ok. So starting a new business is crazy hard. Starting a new business with no capital and 2 kids who like to eat - well that's just crazy.
The Young Bard Studio for Actors, Writers and Storytellers started as an after school class at Emma's school just because I wanted her to have a quality performance experience - I wanted her to get to do real acting with real stories and I hoped above all to help my daughter make friends at her new school. From there, it's become this whole other thing. Turns out, I like kids. Kids that aren't even my own! And kids love to tell stories - lots and lots of stories. Which makes so much sense to me - telling stories - telling our stories - that's how we know we're not alone. I believe that when we hear our story told through another's, we know that we are forgiven and that we belong. So with these kids - it's about more than acting. It's about giving them a platform to tell the stories that they need to tell. It's about self-esteem, self-worth and the ability to speak to their peers. It's about discipline and listening. It's about being fearless and creative and bold and loud and real. It's about empathy and kindness and connections. It's about taking children's stories and bringing them to life.
Then it became about the particular stories themselves. AH! The stories that matter - the stories that teach and please. The stories that can make a difference. The stories that these kids get - the ones that we grown-ups need to be told. And so we go there and no two classes are ever the same.
I'm in awe because kids are learning life-changing lessons in my classes - lessons that go far beyond the stage. Lessons that they will take with them throughout their education and, dare I say, their lives. Without even knowing, these kids are learning how to write essays, analyze language, vocabulary, how to make friends, how and when to keep friends, how humans work and think and grow, how to admit when they make mistakes, how to say yes and when to pause, how to respect others, how to change and how to love themselves no matter what. I think this is just the tip of the iceburg.
So why do I need you?
Because I need help. I need help with even the most basic of start-up costs. Supplies, marketing creative and collateral, business accounting, certifications, writing grants and writing curriculum, studio/space leases and post-it notes and pencils. Really. This campaign is because I need everything right now so that this business can become an incredible reality. Parents want it. Kids need it. And it's the perfect use of my skills. How did I not think of this sooner? My MFA in Acting is among my greatest accomplishments - second only to mothering JJ and Emma. Teaching at UT and Linfield - best jobs ever - I LOVE teaching. So it makes sense - it just makes sense. Put all of those biggies together and you have The Young Bard Studio for Actors, Writers and Storytellers. And I promise you that you will be proud of your investment. Because your help will go far in doing great things - amazing things - for great people and great communities. This is perhaps a lofty goal - I get that. And I believe this is exactly what I am meant to do. Thank you - thank you for even reading this far and thank you for donating and/or sharing with your friends. Thank you for being part of my story.
To know more about my vision for The Young Bard Studio's mission, check out my website:
www.youngbardstudio.org
The Young Bard Studio for Actors, Writers and Storytellers started as an after school class at Emma's school just because I wanted her to have a quality performance experience - I wanted her to get to do real acting with real stories and I hoped above all to help my daughter make friends at her new school. From there, it's become this whole other thing. Turns out, I like kids. Kids that aren't even my own! And kids love to tell stories - lots and lots of stories. Which makes so much sense to me - telling stories - telling our stories - that's how we know we're not alone. I believe that when we hear our story told through another's, we know that we are forgiven and that we belong. So with these kids - it's about more than acting. It's about giving them a platform to tell the stories that they need to tell. It's about self-esteem, self-worth and the ability to speak to their peers. It's about discipline and listening. It's about being fearless and creative and bold and loud and real. It's about empathy and kindness and connections. It's about taking children's stories and bringing them to life.
Then it became about the particular stories themselves. AH! The stories that matter - the stories that teach and please. The stories that can make a difference. The stories that these kids get - the ones that we grown-ups need to be told. And so we go there and no two classes are ever the same.
I'm in awe because kids are learning life-changing lessons in my classes - lessons that go far beyond the stage. Lessons that they will take with them throughout their education and, dare I say, their lives. Without even knowing, these kids are learning how to write essays, analyze language, vocabulary, how to make friends, how and when to keep friends, how humans work and think and grow, how to admit when they make mistakes, how to say yes and when to pause, how to respect others, how to change and how to love themselves no matter what. I think this is just the tip of the iceburg.
So why do I need you?
Because I need help. I need help with even the most basic of start-up costs. Supplies, marketing creative and collateral, business accounting, certifications, writing grants and writing curriculum, studio/space leases and post-it notes and pencils. Really. This campaign is because I need everything right now so that this business can become an incredible reality. Parents want it. Kids need it. And it's the perfect use of my skills. How did I not think of this sooner? My MFA in Acting is among my greatest accomplishments - second only to mothering JJ and Emma. Teaching at UT and Linfield - best jobs ever - I LOVE teaching. So it makes sense - it just makes sense. Put all of those biggies together and you have The Young Bard Studio for Actors, Writers and Storytellers. And I promise you that you will be proud of your investment. Because your help will go far in doing great things - amazing things - for great people and great communities. This is perhaps a lofty goal - I get that. And I believe this is exactly what I am meant to do. Thank you - thank you for even reading this far and thank you for donating and/or sharing with your friends. Thank you for being part of my story.
To know more about my vision for The Young Bard Studio's mission, check out my website:
www.youngbardstudio.org
Organizer
Patricia Ferguson
Organizer
Oregon, OR
