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Funding For A Royal Opportunity

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I can't remember ever not dreaming of being a Broadway musical performer.  Now I actually have the chance to make that dream a reality! I recently auditioned for the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London's Masters Program in Musical Theater. Since it is one of the world's top music schools I feel overwhelmingly blessed and honored to be one of the very few of the thousands who auditioned to be accepted into their program starting Fall 2018. Thanks to my rigorous training as a United States Military Academy at West Point cadet and then as an Army officer, I am ready to face intense and long days studying voice, stage movement, acting, audition technique, rehearsing and performing live shows, etc.  Thank you in advance for any donation you may make for helping me move closer to my dream. If you want to read about how I went from being an Army officer to pursuing a career in theater, keep reading!

I got my first taste of musical theatre as a toddler. I remember sitting in my car seat as my parents played the 1987 recording of Les Miserables over the car stereo. I had no conception of its historical significance, let alone the definition of a “musical,” but I clearly remember being moved by the emotional power of the voices singing the anthem of revolution, “Can You Hear the People Sing?” Two years later, my father bought me the original Broadway recording of "Annie". As we listened to Andrea McArdle belt “Tomorrow,” my dad turned to me and asked, “Do you think you’ll ever be able to sing like that?” I didn’t doubt it.

As time went on, my love and knowledge of musical theatre grew. I sang along with every vocal recording I could find. I watched movies starring Fred Astaire, Julie Andrews, and Shirley Jones. I learned dances from Singing in the Rain. I sang “Truly Scrumptious” to my mom. I lamented the fact that “Home” was not included in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Because I was homeschooled until age thirteen, I only discovered my talent as both a singer and an actor when I went to public high school. I was accepted into the Denver Public Schools Honors Choir, excelled in my drama classes and, of course, participated in my high school’s musicals as the lead female. I learned that I adore the experience of performing. Though nervous offstage, the moment I walked out from behind the curtain, I was transported into the world of the musical.

I seriously considered pursuing an undergraduate degree in musical theatre, but ultimately decided I wanted to serve in the military first. Even at West Point I was drawn to the arts, a Literature major at an Engineering school. I supplemented my military, leadership, and physical training with performance events. I was a member of the West Point Glee Club, acted in cadet plays, sang for visiting USMA alumni at West Point’s Night of the Arts, and performed in one of West Point’s most treasured traditions, the 100th Night Show. Attending school so close to New York City, I watched Broadway legends perform, including Sutton Foster and Joel Grey in Anything Goes, and Laura Osnes as Cinderella. During my time in the Army, no matter where I was stationed I found ways to sate my craving for theatre by attending shows or organizing a Christmas concert/sing-along when my unit was away from home for the holidays. All the while, I continued to hone life skills such as perseverance, hard work, and interpersonal communication – skills I believe make for a successful performer.

When my active military service came to an end in September 2016, I decided it was time to pursue a career in theater. I was born to do musical theatre. Studying at the Royal Academy of Music will equip me with the skills, confidence, and industry knowledge needed for a professional career. I am so excited for this opportunity and am really thankful that you read to this point!

Organizer

Alix Efaw
Organizer
Melbourne Beach, FL

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