The UNC PATP Class of 2024 Fundraising Initiative!

Pictured from left and right: Sanjana Taskar, Jamar Jones, Adam Valentine, Saleemah Sharpe, Heinley Gaspard, and Hayley Cartee

On a hot summer day in August of 2021, the six of us came to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to pursue our dreams. The time had finally come for us to enter into the Professional Actor Training Program (PATP) and work toward our Masters of Fine Arts in Acting.

With a desire to further investigate our curiosities, both as students and as artists – we entered the Carolina campus in an unfamiliar world. A world that forced us to reckon with an ongoing pandemic that affected the trajectory of our industry worldwide. A world where we spent the first few months trying to connect with one another with half of our faces covered. A world with more unknowns than answers. We embarked on this tempestuous journey with a fervor matched only by the Carolina heat. Over the course of the next three years, we celebrated our highest highs and learned even more from our lowest lows.

Our resiliency is fueled by our community. They have helped to shape us into the artists we are today. Thank you to those who have been alongside us for the journey and thank you to those willing to join us for our next act. Now that the finish line is in sight — it’s time to finally carry the gifts and lessons gained at Carolina and step forward into the industry!

This is where you can play a part in our journey.

Part of the capstone of this distinguished program is the New York City Industry Week. In NYC, we will connect with industry leaders, showcase our training, and gain valuable insight from experienced professionals in the field. Your support will facilitate turning our 2021 dreams into reality. Your thoughtful donations will help to fund the following:

• Travel

• Lodging

• Educational Opportunities (i.e. Industry networking events, classes, workshops etc.)

We sincerely thank you for your consideration, your encouragement, and your generosity. It’s been an eventful three years and we are so grateful to be able to leap forward with your support.

Warmly,

Sanjana, Jamar, Adam, Saleemah, Heinley, & Hayley

(The PATP Class of 2024)

* On April 1st our filmed digital showcase launched. This showcase will be viewed by the industry at large, presenting us as actors ready to transition into the next phase of our careers. Visit https://www.uncmfaacting.com/ to stream the showcase and learn more about the Class of 2024.