Spencer Vigil Attends Berklee NYC

Hello Beautiful People!

This September, I will be taking a leap of faith and moving to New York City to pursue a Masters Degree in Writing & Design for Musical Theater at Berklee School of Music in NYC.

*Big Deep Breath!

How Did I Get Here?

Ever since I was a kid, musical theater was something I knew I was born to do. From child acting to holding living room concerts with my cousins, I had a story to tell. Between my mother secretly taking me to see the film version of RENT when I was seven (even though she swore it wasn't her thing!) and my father retelling his stories as a professional dancer in the 80's, I was destined to find my light and to continue to tell stories.

Through countless moves, losing my mother to cancer, addiction, being houseless, and facing discrimination as a Trans POC, life has handed me plenty of difficult circumstances. I found hope and the courage to continue when I would listen to Jonathan Larson sing Johnny Can't Decide as I stood outside food banks. Listening to Anais Mitchell's, Any Way the Wind Blows as I slept on couches and in my car. Standing outside of The Paramount with my ear against the door because I couldn't afford to see Hamilton, wishing to be in the room where it happened. Musical theater and writing became an escape and source of comfort in many situations. It was in these moments I was tested beyond my limits and grew stronger. After graduating with my BA in 2019, I had ten years of musical theater experience in three major cities.

At the end of 2021 and early 2022, after some much needed healing time, I had my first book of poetry and my first one act play written and produced within months. I also began working at The 5th Avenue Theatre, where I began a new position alongside FOH and Stage Door.

"A Leap Of Faith"

I had started an application. I had stopped the application and when the deparment chair asked me why I gave an honest answer- there was no way I could afford it; I couldn't read music, I wrote on a Casio keyboard I bought with my grandfather's money when I turned ten. I wanted to continue learning and growing in my craft though, and am no stranger to working hard for the things I need to get myself someplace better. I finished the application. I think you can imagine what happened from there.

Those of you who know me know how big of a risk this is for me, yet I am so excited for the future, knowing I have a great deal to offer and learn. I have a hard time asking for things I need. I need your help.

Even with scholarships and financial aid, my statement balance for fall semester is due on August 1st for 4,267 dollars. With moving expenses and rent and having to buy a laptop that can handle the programming needed I am finding it hard to know where to begin meeting this need with the time I have left.

How The World Works:

There are a lot of ways to contribute that are non-monetary; sharing this link is probably one of the most important things you can do :) even just shooting me a quick DM of encouragement helps the process become less stressful.

If you are contributing $$ please know how much I appreciate and value your contribution to furthering my education and future in Musical Theater. I have so many folx to thank and honor with my work and output and I promise not to stop until I get to where it is I'm supposed to be.

With so much love and care,

Spencer Joshua Vigil

(He/They)