Get Tumi to Drama School

Hiya! I am Tumi - an aspiring actor from South London. Welcome to my gofundme!

I am overjoyed to have been offered a place on the BA Hons in Professional Acting course at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School(BOVTS), where the likes of Daniel Day-Lewis, Theo James and Olivia Colman trained in acting. By training at BOVTS, I will embark on my career as an actor with the best possible footing. There are 28 places on the course, and thousands apply each year. The fact I was awarded a place after four auditions, is testimony to my potential to develop as a successful actor. Because I have a first degree, I am ineligible for government funding and therefore hope to raise my fees through a mixture of fundraising, grants, and savings.

With a goal of £14,000 for my first year of fees, I would be so grateful for any sponsorships to help me cross the finish line. 

Last summer I graduated from St John’s College, University of Oxford with a High 2.1 in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) - the only student in my year at secondary school to gain a place at Oxford. As someone who has always been an academic person, I never saw drama school as an option. Although I loved performing growing up, having received full marks at Drama GCSE and being selected to take part in the Old Vic Theatre New Voices scheme, the arts were also packaged to me as something that was a hobby.  University was the natural and only real next step post-school, or so I was told. However, although I love learning, whilst studying I quickly realised there was something missing. Nothing excited me in the same way that  being creative did, and so I looked for ways to continue my passion alongside my degree. Whilst at Oxford I took part in the first ever all BAME cast and crew production of Medea as key chorus member. This was the first production to sell out the Saturday Matinee at the Keble O'Reilly Theatre (the biggest student theatre in Oxford) in 5 years and received reviews stating...

"Khameleon Productions’ modern adaptation of Euripides’ tragedy was stunning." - Joanna Bailey

This leads me onto the highlight of the performance for me: the chorus. The play takes the Greek chorus of classical plays, which functioned to explain and comment on the action, and reimagines it as a group of talented singers that many gospel choirs would be jealous of. The transitions between music and poetry are effortless, and guide us through the story beautifully  - Cherwell 

"I’ve been to my fair share of student theatre, but this has to be the first I’ve been to which received a standing ovation. And I think it deserved it." - Katheryn Thompson

 ...and was part of the first Oxford BAME drama society committee, dedicated to ensuring diversity and inclusion in Oxford University Drama. Since graduating, I have also been chosen to produce a short film I wrote with the wonderful actress Mandeep Dhillon (After Life, Some Girls) and hope to continue to pursue my passion for writing whilst training at the Conservatoire. 

The total tuition fee cost for Year 1 is £9,250 as well as living and equipment costs bringing it to a total of £19,000. I am not eligible for financial  help from the government or the school, and thus face the very real possibility of not being able to take the place I have earned.  The foundations I have applied to total £3,000 but are extremely competitive, and do not release results of applications until September. With a deadline of October 4th for me fees, fundraising is my only option. 

After the last year I think we can all agree one huge take away is that life is far too short to settle or not take risks.  Applying to drama school had always been something I wanted to do, but continually second guessed myself out of. I never imagined I would get in first try and would hate for finances to be the reason I am unable to take up this incredible opportunity.

Over the last few months I have had the pleasure of working within the industry at a talent agency and managed to save £5,000. This leaves me 3 months to raise the rest of the funds before I begin at BOVTS in October. 

Any support whether through donations or sharing would be really appreciated.  xx