Please help Corey stay at Uni, in Barcelona!

My name is Corey, I am 20 years old from Hull, East Yorkshire and currently studying on a BA Hons Acting at the Institute of the Arts, Barcelona (IAB).

 

Born and raised in Hull, my whole life, attending the Archbishop Sentamu Academy on Preston Road. I found my love for performing, when I joined the Rock Challenge family and I could just lose myself on stage. When I got accepted into the Spotlight drama scholarship, at Archie, that's when things progressed for me. Performing in many productions and roles. It opened various doors, including work with National Youth Theatre and a local awareness group Not In Our Community... this was quite a controversial subject.

 

When Jane Godber, from The John Godber Company, came to work with Spotlight it changed my life forever. Jane wrote Ocho, a play about local men who fought in the Spanish Civil War. We toured locally and internationally, where I performed at the IAB for the very first time.

The IAB offered me a gifted scholarship, after seeing me perform that night. I was just 15 years old. They waited 3 years, for me to finish high school/6th form. At just 18 years old, I moved abroad, alone and accepted this 'once in a lifetime' opportunity!
This is unprecedented still.

 

As it's such a unique opportunity, I struggled to get student finance. In the UK, as I'm studying in Spain and vice versa. So I've supported myself, with the help of my family, through my first 2 years by working the summer and via paid work with The John Godber Company. Furthermore, I was accepted onto The Godber Theatre Foundation. This has provided vital support to my studies.

 

Finishing my 2nd year with the highest grade in my class,

Drew Mulligan, the Head of Acting at the IAB said

"Corey's work at the IAB has been excellent. He is an enthusiastic, talented student who has shown great commitment to his studies. His development as an actor over the last two years has been thoroughly enjoyable to watch as he tackled Shakespeare, camera work, contemporary American literature, devising and Greek Tragedy (performed on Zoom). He has worked hard in and out of school and thrived in this environment. I expect him to develop enormously in his final year of studies and have great hopes for him as a creative actor when he enters the industry. I am very happy to recommend him and support his search for funding. It would be a real shame to interrupt his studies now when he has hit his stride, and a great shame to lose such a popular, fun, dedicated and talented student"

 

Professor John Godber OBE, of The John Godber Company adds

"Corey is an enthusiastic and genuine talent and deserves support in his actor training, in order for him to meet his potential"

 

The reason I'm fundraising is that, despite always trying to be self-reliant, since the Covid-19 crisis, I have found it increasingly financially difficult to be able to support myself alongside my studies. When the bar, where I worked, closed due to restrictions this hit me hard. That was my lifeline. In addition, when I travelled home for Christmas break, the travel restrictions meant I was stuck in the UK until April!

I continued my course, via Zoom, which was an extremely worrying time. Then hit further financial difficulties, with the increased travel costs and requirements. I used all my savings to return to Spain and complete my 2nd year.

 

My third and final year is the most important. I'm looking to raise around £2500, to give me the head start and allow me to continue paying my own accommodation and living expenses. I do have a part time job waiting but we are still experiencing difficulties arisen from the Covid-19 crisis, funding my own TIE card and health insurance being part of this. I can't work until this is finalised.

 

Any help or funding I can secure, will help massively and allow me to focus on my studies without financial pressure on me or my family.

My dream is to be a successful actor, working as much as possible to fulfill me as an artist. Further develop as a performer and enhance my craft.

 

Thank you for taking the time, I know my situation is unique, and for listening to my story. Your support is truly appreciated.

 

Thank you again

 

Corey