As a native Baltimorean, now an LA transplant following my passion for acting, I have long dreamed of studying theater abroad. This year, that dream is becoming real. I’ve been selected to attend the British American Drama Academy (BADA) Midsummer in Oxford program, an intensive training experience designed to challenge actors, deepen their artistic instincts, and build lifelong connections in the theater world.

My name is Jha’Neal Blue, and I am currently an MFA Acting student at CalArts. This past year, my training has been deeply rooted in Shakespeare, and attending BADA feels like a necessary next step in my growth. To study this work in Oxford, where so much of this tradition lives, means not only continuing my training but doing so at its source. It’s an opportunity to become a more skilled and thoughtful artist!

My journey as an actor has never been about fame or recognition. Ever since I was young, I’ve been inspired by artists like Jurnee Smollett, Viola Davis, and Hilary Swank, actors who use storytelling to restore humanity, reflect truth, and make people feel seen. That is what drew me to this work. There is nothing more powerful to me than embodying a character and allowing someone in the audience to recognize themselves in that story.

I began acting in high school, where I was introduced to theater, Broadway, and national festivals like KCACTF. What started as curiosity quickly became something deeper, a calling I couldn’t ignore. Since then, I have committed myself fully to this craft, not only as an actor but as an educator and creator.

Since 2017, I have worked with students in grades K–12, teaching theater and filmmaking. Together, we have created documentaries, short series, and student-written plays, spaces where young people could discover their voices and tell their own stories. I have also had the opportunity to work with professional theaters like Hartford Stage and The Old Globe as an Associate Director. These experiences have expanded my perspective as both an artist and collaborator.

This is why BADA means so much to me. While it will strengthen me as a performer, it will also deepen my work as a teacher, director, and future leader in this field. My long-term goal is to open a theater school in Baltimore, a space where storytelling is accessible, where young artists feel seen, and where the next generation can grow in confidence and creativity. The training and relationships I gain through this program will directly support that vision.

I also believe that opportunities like this should not exist in isolation. As I continue my journey, I want to bring back what I learn, not just to my school but to my community. There is so much talent and potential around us, but not always access. I want to help bridge that gap.

Unfortunately, opportunities like this often come with financial barriers. The cost of tuition, travel, and housing for the program is more than I can manage on my own. I'm balancing two jobs with my classes and rehearsals to contribute, but I still need support to make this possible, and the deadlines are approaching quickly.

This is a pivotal moment in my life and an opportunity that may not come again.

To my mentors, friends, family, and supporters, your belief in me has already shaped the artist I am becoming. Supporting me now is not just helping me attend this program. It is an investment in the work I will continue to bring back to others. In many ways, you are part of this journey with me.

If you are able to contribute, I would be deeply grateful. If you know me personally, please feel free to reach out if you would like to support in another way.

Thank you for believing in me, for supporting my growth, and for being part of this journey.

Website: Jhanealblue.com

Instagram: __jhanealblue