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Hi, hello, how are you?! Thank you so much for being here and for taking the time to read my story.
I’m Sam, an emerging actor-singer from Newcastle, and I’ve recently been offered an opportunity I once could only dream of. I’ve been accepted onto a Musical Theatre training course (MA) at Mountview Academy in London… it’s only one of the most renowned drama schools in the UK, (no biggie!!!)
Unfortunately, the tuition fees for Mountview are not fully covered by a postgraduate student loan. My total gap in tuition fees is approx £7000. This GoFundMe exists to help bridge the gap by about £1,000-£2000, with the remainder coming from scholarships, bursaries, fundraising activities and shows (watch this space), savings and every other possible avenue .
Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a genuine difference.
Throughout my life, I’ve been acutely aware that opportunity is not equally distributed in society. For the past five years, I’ve worked closely with young people, and education institutions to improve access and participation and to help break down barriers for those less likely to progress in education due to their background or circumstances. This commitment to equity and fair access quickly became my core ethos, shaping both my personal values and my professional life.
Four-year-old Sam, singing and dancing around the living room, didn’t know where life was heading.
For a long time, I think I did whatever I had to do just to get by and truly didn’t know my place in the world. It has been rough at times. Musical theatre was always a quiet presence in my life, a place for me to exist as myself.
I didn’t always know exactly what I was working towards, only that everything in my life seemed to be pointing me here. When I received my offer from Mountview, I felt more authentically aligned than I ever have before and knew it was time to take the leap.
I could write at length about the barriers and setbacks I’ve faced, but these barriers are universal and affecting more than just me. Growing up working-class, being neurodivergent, and pursuing a creative career without financial family support, inherited knowledge or cultural capital, or early access to training has meant navigating barriers that aren’t always visible but are widely documented. There is already extensive evidence showing which groups in society have unequal access to opportunity, and I also recognise that I am privileged in many ways. I’ve included links below for those who want to explore the wider research and context.
What I will say is that persevering in an industry known for elitism and favouring the privileged has required resilience, determination, and belief in my worth - all of which i’ve had to work HARD at over the years to get me where I am today. (Shout out to my therapist Hilary ☺️)
Why would I want to be involved in such a tough and relentless industry you may wonder….?
This journey is about far more than wanting to be an actor or singer.
It’s about representation, social mobility, rewriting narratives, leading with authenticity, and creating work that inspires and empowers. These values will always be at the heart of my work, both as an actor and as an advocate for social mobility within the industry.
I hope to continue my work to widen access to the performing arts and give back in meaningful ways as my career develops.
Thank you for supporting me, sharing this page, or simply cheering me on. I’m incredibly grateful to have you with me on this journey.
My heartfelt thanks,
Sam
Organizer
