Get Christian to LAMDA

Hello! This GoFundMe is the first step in a hopefully long journey at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, or LAMDA. Thank you in advance for your interest in helping me achieve my goals.

My name is Christian Arrubla. You might not know my name yet, but with your help I will be able to attend the same university as big names such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Sam Claflin, Chiwetel Ejiofor and more. LAMDA is my dream school and I have been offered to attend to obtain a BA (Hons) in Professional Acting. Unfortunately, the school does not offer financial aid to international students.

I come from immigrant parents who traveled to the United States from Colombia seeking a convalescent future for their family. Though a career in the arts isn’t what they had in mind, my parents have supported me from the beginning. They taught me to work hard for my dreams and to persevere through all obstacles for the things I’m passionate about. As a latino, I was hesitant to pursue acting due to the lack of representation of our people. In particular, drama schools have displayed a historic lack of Latin students in their programs. I want to prove everyone wrong.

Junior Players was an eye-opening experience that helped me develop this passion. The nonprofit organization in Dallas, TX provides free arts education to kids and teens throughout North Texas, servicing students who otherwise would not have access. In summer 2018, I was cast in the Junior Players Shakespeare intensive. I had no idea how much this would change the course of my future. Before this program, I had never performed Shakespeare. Despite this, I was able to train alongside professional directors who sparked an undying curiosity for classical text.

For the next four years, Junior Players became a second home where I cultivated a passion for the arts. I was finally feeling like my unique identity belonged in this field. As I continued to work with professional artists in the DFW community, the world of opportunities seemed to expand. My love for acting continued to grow and I realized that I could be the solution to the ongoing representation issue for my people. I want to show future students that there is a place for us in the arts world.

I then had the opportunity to attend Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. I also was a part of the Junior Players student council where we worked to promote more equitable funding decisions for the arts in Dallas. An example of this campaign was our “Arts Impact Youth'' podcast series. I was also co-creator of an experimental theater troupe called D203 Experiment. This group was a safe space for POC artists to lead shows in order to combat the lack of opportunities given to the BIPOC community. Through my hard work and determination to succeed, I was selected as a finalist for the National Young Arts Foundation in theater. I also received first place at the AT&T Performing Arts Center Virtual Monologue Competition. I knew all of these accolades would prepare me for the rest of my life.

When I applied for LAMDA, I knew the chances of getting into one of the most prestigious drama programs in the world were slim. Over 5,000 students apply and only about twenty gain admission. It is an honor to be chosen and I am humbled to take my spot at this world renowned facility. I took a gap year in order to raise a college fund for myself. As much as I saved, the cost of living overseas and tuition alone is sizable. Tuition will amount to around $25,000 per year.

Though I am struggling to gain the necessary funds to achieve my dream, my parents did not raise me to give up without a fight. Through my participation in the arts, I have cultivated my voice as an actor, friend, son, and latino. I now feel comfortable reaching out to those who want to see me succeed for help. Whether you’re a fellow artist, an old peer, an aspiring actor, or just someone with a dream of a brighter future, I would appreciate your support. I promise to always strive to represent my demographic and help open doors for future students. Thank you in advance for your contribution to my journey in chasing my dreams.