The Final Chapter: My Master's Degree Journey

My name is Alexandria Morris, but I go by Alex :)

First off, I can’t believe it!! This is incredible, I am absolutely stunned that I am able to finish my program. Thank you so very much!!!

I am going to leave the GoFundMe up for the remaining amount I owe, £8650, so I can graduate. If you would like to keep sharing my story I would be so grateful. Thank you so much again to every single one of you for getting me this far.

I am a second-year MFA Musical Theatre student at the Guildford School of Acting in Guildford, United Kingdom. Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, I moved to Ontario at 17 to attend Sheridan College, where I earned my degree in Film and Television.

I am currently in a financial bind and do not have enough money to pay for tuition for the final year of my course. The total amount for the year is £17,300, and I am hoping to raise £6,000 to cover the first term so that I can stay and finish the program. If I cannot pay for the first term by the end of March 2025, I will be asked to leave the school. Unfortunately, the Arts do not receive the same level of scholarships or funding opportunities as other academic programs.

To help cover costs, I have secured a job as an Audition Helper for the next cohort of MFA/MA students at GSA, working once a month. I am in class from 9 AM – 7 PM, Monday to Friday, but I am actively seeking more work to cover the second term’s tuition, as our schedules are expected to lighten after February.

Over the summer, my mother—a single parent who has dedicated her life to supporting my ambitions—lost her job and was unemployed for six months. When school started, I faced another challenge when my Canadian student loan arrived late, leaving my accommodation overdue and my tuition unpaid. The majority of my loan went toward rent, with the remainder going to tuition. Thankfully, my mom found a new job in January 2025, but she is earning significantly less than before. Now, we are doing everything we can to piece together the funds for me to stay in the program. Every penny we have left is going toward my tuition.

Why This Master’s Degree Matters to Me

I hope to make a difference in the world by creating and telling diverse stories. As a woman of colour who grew up on stage, I have always cherished the relationship between performer and audience—the ability to share emotions, narratives, and awareness through art.

My love for storytelling deepened at Sheridan, where I learned how every production starts as an idea and transforms into a scripted world. The MFA in Musical Theatre at GSA is the next step in my journey, equipping me with the skills to teach and mentor the next generation of dancers, musicians, actors, and theatrical artists in both Canada and the UK. I want to help students see their potential by offering them the tools and encouragement to pursue their goals.

In the summer of 2022, I worked with the Malton Black Youth Association in Brampton, Ontario, where I truly understood the phrase:

“Seeing is believing.”

The program introduced grade-school students to creative fields through visual art, writing, music, and dance. At the end of the summer, they proudly showcased their work to family and friends. To my surprise, not a single student had known that a career in the arts was even possible before the program. For them, it had felt like a dream out of reach. This experience solidified my passion for mentoring, teaching, and supporting young artists, so they can see what they are capable of achieving.

At GSA, while taking a Pedagogy unit, I observed a variety of teaching styles—Acting Through Song, Vocal Anatomy, Movement Through Storytelling, Ballet, Jazz, Voice, and Speech. I immersed myself in as many lessons as possible and eventually developed my own teaching philosophy, culminating in a 15-minute micro-teaching session. This experience shaped my understanding of what kind of teacher I aspire to be.

This Master’s program is preparing me to become the performer, storyteller, and educator I strive to be. It is giving me the tools to inspire others and pay it forward.

Why I Need Your Help

Facing each day under this financial strain has taken a heavy mental toll. It requires stamina, resilience, and determination to keep going, but I refuse to give up.

I am so close to the finish line—just four months away—and I am doing everything in my power to stay. Any support, no matter how small, will help me reach my goal.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. I am deeply grateful for your support.

Alex

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