Help Mateus get to the NOLA Residency

Hi there! Here's what Mateus has to say about his campaign:

Thanks for sparing some time to read this and thanks for considering contributing to my campaign.

TOTAL UPDATE: I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED! I'M IN! XD

WHEN IS IT GONNA BE:
New Orleans Writer's Residency
January, 27 to February, 23

Here's who I am:
A kind-hearted, analytical and intuitive, curious, dedicated, book-loving, movie-watcheing, self-proclaimed foodie, coffee-making-and-drinking, head-over-heels-for-theatre Brazilian playwright-poet, who started out as a musician and slowly made his way into theatre through acting, crossed paths with playwriting and has by necessity been flirting with directing, screenwriting and other production related abilities.

Here's where I'm at financially:
Trying to save as much money as possible. I've been apartment-sitting for a friend to save on rent and bills as well.

Here's what I've been doing:
Putting myself out there by applying to contests in Brazil and Europe. Doing odd jobs and teaching private lessons as well.

Here's what I'm asking for:
Help with the costs related to the New Orleans Writer's Residency.

: $550 - Airfare - I have $340 so far. I will receive $350 aid from the Residency team to help me purchase my ticket to and fro. Upon research, I've found the prices for a flight ticket from São Paulo to New Orleans are around $1200;

: $15 - ESTA - Visa Waiver Program - It'll allow me to enter the US on my Italian passport. A friendlier alternative to a lot of bureaucracy.

Here's what I hope to accomplish:
To write a one-act play. The Residency will give me exposure as a playwright and it will allow me to connect with fellow writers in New Orleans, a diverse and culturally profuse city with a tremendously rich and complex historical background. A delightful recipe for inspiration and personal and artistic growth. Exactly what the doctor ordered to fight my current lack of drive and belief in the path due to life here in Brazil.

Here are my deadlines: 

December, 26 to January, 26 - Airplane ticket and ESTA fee
I'll have about a month to gather the money needed to apply to the Visa Waiver Program and buy my ticket to New Orleans.

I hope you can resonate with my plight and that my dream compels you to help me with my journey. Any contribution is welcome and if you can't contribute, I ask that you me reach out to other people who might be willing and able to help!

I am here if anyone has ideas on how to safe on flight tickets or anyone who knows their way around New Orleans and can give me tips on where to eat for less. Or if anyone just wants to know more about me and my decision to seek recognition outside my homeland.

I couldn't thank you enough for your time and attention!

Here's to connecting and to believing!

Much love,
Mateus Ciucci Ferreira.