Help Kayla Joie Shine at BADA Summer Program

Hello there! My name is Kayla Joie, and I never thought I'd have a reason to start a GoFundMe but here I am.

I've been an aspiring actress for years. I say aspiring because I've been too afraid and plagued by self-doubt to pursue my dream. I’ve tried to fit into various careers – attempting to convince myself that life as an appraiser, corporate recruiter, or web designer would bring me fulfillment. Each time, I’d start with excitement, only for the voice in my head to whisper, “Why aren’t you acting?” I’d stubbornly shake the thought out of my head like an unwanted response from a magic 8-ball. I was determined to stay on a safe, secure, predictable path. But you can only ignore your calling for so long before you start to feel less joy, less sure of your path, and become more confident that taking a chance is worth it.

So here I am, finally answering the call.

I made a promise to myself (and God) that this year, I would step out in faith. I would live boldly and embrace the gifts I’ve been blessed with.

As a result of this promise, and after a lot of hard work, I am incredibly proud to say that I have been accepted to the British American Drama Academy (BADA) in Oxford, UK. This is a prestigious summer drama program that will lay the foundation for a lasting acting career – one I have always dreamed of.

However, with this leap of faith comes Step Two – Payment.

I committed early on to not stress about how I would afford the program and trust that everything would fall into place.

Now I am reaching out to you – whether you’re a friend, family member, or kind stranger who’s made it this far into my story. I truly believe God will provide, and I’m confident I’ll reach my goal.

If you’d like to help me take the next step toward my dreams, any donation would mean the world. The funds will go directly toward the program’s tuition ($8,350) and travel expenses (i.e., airline tickets, food, transportation).

Thank you for taking the time to hear my story, and thank you for your support. Let’s keep chasing our dreams!