Help Natasha Kelly afford her dream drama course
Donation protected
Hello everyone, my name is Natasha and I hope that with your generosity, you will be able to help propel me to the stars by raising money for my Dream Drama course starting in September 2021. 'Year Out Drama' is a course on which selected students receive expert direction from working professionals in a wide range of theatre disciplines. After auditioning for this incredible, fully immersive theatre training course, I was offered one of just 30 places to join a company of young performers selected from all over the country! What makes it even more special to me is that it takes place in my home town of Stratford upon Avon, also the home town of the Bard himself, William Shakespeare. My parents are fully behind me following my dreams and helping to pay what they can towards the £7000 fees and I am contributing what I can from my Sunday job, however I still need to raise £3000 of that total amount.
From a very young age I could be found dancing around the living room or performing 'plays' with my cousins (fantastical creations with complicated plots, costumes, singing, dancing and more!).
I relished the roles I had in my primary school productions and from the age of six to 16, every Saturday morning, attended Theatre School, eventually becoming Head Girl and only pausing my passion to concentrate on my A' Level studies. I loved learning about acting in particular and eagerly performed in many a production or showcase, including Pantomime at The Bridge House Theatre in Warwick. Panto time was really special as it gave me a taste of what it was like to perform and be part of a 'real' production that people actually paid to see! I relished every moment from the audition, to rehearsals, to a very busy schedule of performances. The feeling of being part of a company has never left me, and I was always filled with sadness when the run was over.
I have also been lucky enough to have watched theatre from a very young age. As a younger child, my Nana and Mum would take me to see wonderful musicals and pantomimes, but when I was 13 something special happened; my mum got a job at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford and started taking me to see Shakespeare, Marlowe, Webster as well newly written productions. Some I loved, some not so much, but importantly I started to get an appreciation for theatre. The first play I saw there was 'Seven Acts of Mercy', a play set in present day Liverpool juxtaposed with 17th Century Italy. I found the whole experience mesmerising; the acting, the set, lighting, costumes, atmosphere. In particular, one of the main roles was played by a young 17 year old actor. He was incredible and inspiring and I knew then that is what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be, a serious actor.
Although not quite the RSC, I got my chance to really show what I could do as a serious actor when I was cast as Leah in our year 10 school production of DNA by Dennis Kelly. With a cast of only 9, we brought the play about young teenagers embroiled in a troubled situation, to life. I loved, loved, loved playing Leah and working with my fellow actors who were all brilliant! I thank my teacher, Mr. Hill from the bottom of my heart for giving me the chance to prove to myself that I could do the role justice.
Unfortunately, my school didn't offer Drama and Theatre Studies as an A' Level option. I have taken English Literature, Psychology and Dance A' level, which I believe will all help me with my aspirations and my predicted grades are looking good. During this last year, experiencing the COVID pandemic and all of it's ups and downs, heartache and difficulties, like many of you I'm sure, I have done a lot of thinking. I came to the conclusion that life really is too short not to try and pursue your dreams! My dream is to do this amazing course and then go onto to drama school or university to study acting and become a professional actor. If you are able to contribute even a small amount to help me achieve this dream, then I will be eternally grateful, and who knows, you may see my face on your screen sometime in the future or my feet treading the boards at the RSC. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Love Natasha xx
From a very young age I could be found dancing around the living room or performing 'plays' with my cousins (fantastical creations with complicated plots, costumes, singing, dancing and more!).
I relished the roles I had in my primary school productions and from the age of six to 16, every Saturday morning, attended Theatre School, eventually becoming Head Girl and only pausing my passion to concentrate on my A' Level studies. I loved learning about acting in particular and eagerly performed in many a production or showcase, including Pantomime at The Bridge House Theatre in Warwick. Panto time was really special as it gave me a taste of what it was like to perform and be part of a 'real' production that people actually paid to see! I relished every moment from the audition, to rehearsals, to a very busy schedule of performances. The feeling of being part of a company has never left me, and I was always filled with sadness when the run was over.
I have also been lucky enough to have watched theatre from a very young age. As a younger child, my Nana and Mum would take me to see wonderful musicals and pantomimes, but when I was 13 something special happened; my mum got a job at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford and started taking me to see Shakespeare, Marlowe, Webster as well newly written productions. Some I loved, some not so much, but importantly I started to get an appreciation for theatre. The first play I saw there was 'Seven Acts of Mercy', a play set in present day Liverpool juxtaposed with 17th Century Italy. I found the whole experience mesmerising; the acting, the set, lighting, costumes, atmosphere. In particular, one of the main roles was played by a young 17 year old actor. He was incredible and inspiring and I knew then that is what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be, a serious actor.
Although not quite the RSC, I got my chance to really show what I could do as a serious actor when I was cast as Leah in our year 10 school production of DNA by Dennis Kelly. With a cast of only 9, we brought the play about young teenagers embroiled in a troubled situation, to life. I loved, loved, loved playing Leah and working with my fellow actors who were all brilliant! I thank my teacher, Mr. Hill from the bottom of my heart for giving me the chance to prove to myself that I could do the role justice.
Unfortunately, my school didn't offer Drama and Theatre Studies as an A' Level option. I have taken English Literature, Psychology and Dance A' level, which I believe will all help me with my aspirations and my predicted grades are looking good. During this last year, experiencing the COVID pandemic and all of it's ups and downs, heartache and difficulties, like many of you I'm sure, I have done a lot of thinking. I came to the conclusion that life really is too short not to try and pursue your dreams! My dream is to do this amazing course and then go onto to drama school or university to study acting and become a professional actor. If you are able to contribute even a small amount to help me achieve this dream, then I will be eternally grateful, and who knows, you may see my face on your screen sometime in the future or my feet treading the boards at the RSC. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Love Natasha xx
Organiser
Natasha Kelly
Organiser
England