Makeena's Midsummer in Oxford Programme Fundraiser

I’m so excited to share that I was just accepted into the BADA Midsummer in Oxford program (one of the world’s best-known intensive acting programs !!!!)

Makeena here, raising support to help make this incredible opportunity possible.

As you likely know, I've always been drawn to perform. Acting has been such a bright spot in my interests. I've loved the personal growth the craft has pulled out of me, and I'm convinced that telling stories, hearing stories, and bringing vision to life with my body, voice, and being is such an incredible part of my purpose.

I see healing in this work, and I see rebellion in countering a culture that so often asks us to numb, disconnect, and move too quickly past what makes us human.

I was going to write that it's been “some years” of working on this craft and building out opportunities to create on stage and on screen, but as I looked back, in reality this dream has been in the making since I was a kid (see my first headshots above lol).

My journey has consisted of lots of juggling between my art and my education/career as a social worker. One of the things I have been craving and needing is a space to exclusively focus and intensively train as an actor.

I've been feeling the need for support as I develop a clearer and stronger discipline and practice around how I approach this work. I've been ready to reach a new level in my craft and career.

So, when a fellow actor friend enthusiastically recommended BADA Midsummer in Oxford, I began to research. The program's incredible reputation and the incredible strides forward I've seen in my friends’ confidence, skill level, and booked work lit me up. Plus, the idea of being in the UK this summer? It's been on my vision board.

A bit about this opportunity I am raising funds to attend:

Now celebrating its 42nd year, BADA’s Midsummer in Oxford Programme is one of the world’s best-known intensive, international acting courses. The programme, based in the historic Magdalen College at the University of Oxford, is designed for committed actors over the age of eighteen and focuses on classical theatre craft with an emphasis on Shakespeare. Participants work and live at Magdalen alongside the BADA Faculty, made up of leading international theatre practitioners and teaching artists.

This represents a turning point for me. This opportunity would allow me to spend several weeks fully immersed in intensive acting training alongside international artists, something I’ve been craving for years but have had limited space to pursue. This summer, I'm pushing against the pace of life and making it happen!

My fundraising goal is $9,000, which will help cover the majority of the following costs of attending the BADA Midsummer in Oxford program, including:

If you feel moved to support, any contribution toward helping me attend this program would mean so much!

And if donating isn’t possible right now, sharing this with someone who believes in artists and storytelling would also mean a lot. I am also all ears for any grants, scholarships, or other creative ideas that can help get me to my goal by 5/1.

Sending you all the love,

Makeena