Help Patrycja Complete Her RADA Training

Support a passionate, working-class Polish-British artist in finishing her MA at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Hello friends, kind strangers, and fellow lovers of the arts,

My name is Patrycja Dynowska, a 33-year-old Polish-British actor, theatre-maker, and workshop facilitator. I’ve spent the last decade pouring my heart into theatre and acting—creating bold, honest work and helping others unlock their creativity.

I am currently living a dream I’ve held onto for over 11 years: I was accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)—the most prestigious drama school in the world—to study on their highly competitive MA Theatre Lab.

I started the course in January 2025, and it’s already changing my life—helping me grow not just as an actor, but also as a director, producer, and educator—roles that are essential in today’s ever-shifting creative industry.

But the journey here hasn’t been easy—and it’s far from over.

I’m still facing a funding shortfall of £6,211.

So, this is where I humbly ask for your help. Whether you know me personally, have seen my work, or simply believe in the power of the arts.

My RADA MA Theatre Lab 2025 cohort

Why RADA, and Why Now?

Since graduating from my BA in French/Drama and Theatre Studies at Aberystwyth University, I dreamt of doing the MA in Theatre Lab at RADA.

Despite the fact that I studied drama, devising and physical acting on both my BA and first MA (Physical Acting at the University of Kent), and trained extensively with world-renowned institutions and practitioners - Odin Teatret, Frantic Assembly, Grotowski Institute, Tadashi Suzuki, Graham Dixon, Song of the Goat - to name a few; I have always felt and been made self-conscious as an actor because I didn’t have formal drama school training.

Now at RADA, the most competitive drama school in the country, I finally have the chance to validate my training and existence within the UK industry and most importantly take my work further as an artist—and build a sustainable, impactful career in the arts.

In the past, neither financial constraints nor health challenges have deterred me from pursuing my goals. In 2019, after a debilitating 5-year flare-up of Ulcerative Colitis, I created Sh*t Happens, a multi-disciplinary solo show that delves into the taboos and realities of living with a chronic illness (OffFest Best Short Run award nomination in 2019 & 2020).

Speaking on BBC Radio London about my solo show SH*T HAPPENS (2019)

In 2019, I co-funded an experimental theatre group, TAKDAJA. In 2023, we received Arts Council England funding for ‘Three Billion Letters’. I appeared in TV, RIDLEY (ITV) and MASTERS OF THE AIR (Apple TV+, produced by Steven Spielberg), and theatre (Almeida Theatre, Oxford Playhouse, Greenwich Theatre, Norwich Arts Centre, Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe).

Still from MASTERS OF THE AIR, dir. Tim van Patten, prod. Steven Spielberg, Apple TV+

It’s through my determination and passion for the arts that I continue to transform personal adversity into art that challenges perceptions & fosters understanding, driving me to reach this pivotal point in my career. I aim to inspire & empower others, contributing to a more inclusive & vibrant cultural landscape for years to come.

TAKDAJA’S THREE BILLION LETTERS at Norwich Arts Centre Dec 2024 photography Malachy Luckie

What I’ve Done So Far

As a working-class artist living with an invisible disability (Ulcerative Colitis), I have learned that there is little room for error in my career path. When I pursued my first MA in Physical Acting at the University of Kent, I felt an urgent need to act before Brexit potentially restricted access to student loans (I became a naturalised British citizen in 2024). Unfortunately, this decision, made under duress, means that I utilised the available MA student loan.

Nevertheless, I am working tirelessly to do everything I can to self-fund my training at RADA. So far:

I saved over £4,000 from freelance acting and voiceover work. You can check my Spotlight profile here to see how my career has progressed so far.

Despite all of this, I’m short of £6,211 to complete my tuition fees.

What Your Donation Supports

Even the smallest amount can make a big impact. Here’s what different donations could help with:

✨ Every pound supports not just my studies, but my well-being and artistic future.

Giving Back Through the Arts

I’m deeply committed to leveraging theatre as a platform for marginalised voices. Through my theatre group, TAKDAJA, I run free Awakening the Imagined Body in Space workshops, empowering individuals from migrant and lower socioeconomic backgrounds to reconnect with their creativity in a safe and supportive environment. My ambition is to expand these workshops, offering inclusive creative spaces to a broader audience whilst fostering a more diverse and equitable arts community.

Leading ‘Awakening the Imagined Body in Space’ workshop at Theatre Deli in London

Theodor and I leading ‘Awakening the Imagined Body in Space’ workshop at Theatre Deli in London

With TAKDAJA, I also co-organise Odyssey of Oddities, a performance night giving a platform to experimental artists at Riverside Studios. The next one is on Wed, 7th of May at 7PM.

Odyssey of Oddities #1 at Riverside Studios, photography Lidia Crisafulli

My mission is to make theatre more inclusive, more honest, and more human. With the training from RADA, I plan to expand these programs and reach even more underrepresented voices.

Thank You

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. Whether you donate £1 or simply share this campaign, I am eternally grateful. Your support brings me one step closer to completing my training and building a future where I can keep creating work that uplifts and empowers.

If you'd like to talk more about my journey or hear about my work, feel free to get in touch.

With love and gratitude,

Patrycja

My socials:

IG @ patdynowska