Hey there! So lets start off by introducing myself. My name is Rebecca Stewart. I'm 22 years old, and I moved to London from Ireland just 10 months ago to follow a dream.
What is that dream you may ask?
To become a performer on a West End stage.
Performing on stage is one the most amazing feelings in the world. I couldn’t ask for anything more to make me happy. Its like that song from Billy Elliot, 'Electricity'. I went to see Billy Elliot for the first time in April, and the only song I knew was 'electricity'. I have always felt a connection with the song, but there is something different from listening to it and actually experiencing it live. I can't explain how emotional the performance of this song made me feel. I would copy and paste each lyric if I could because nothing better explains the feeling of being on stage than the lyrics of this song, but for now ill leave it with this specific quote:
'And then I feel a change, like a fire deep inside
Something bursting me wide open, impossible to hide
And suddenly I'm flying, flying like a bird
Like electricity, electricity
Sparks inside of me and I'm free, I am free'
I started dancing when I was 3 years old. At the time I was too young to understand how much it would mean to me now. I just went because it was fun, and what more do children want other than to have fun? But as the years went by and I got the opportunity to perform in front of 'big' crowds at my local theatre each year I slowly began to realise that this, the stage, was my home. I have performed in countless amateur productions over the last 4-5 years in my home town of Sligo, Ireland. As well as a large number of showcases as part of my dance school, The Melody School of Dance, over the years. Some of these include Pantomimes 'Goody Two Shoes' and 'Cinderella' and musicals such as Hairspray, West Side Story, The Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof and Grease.
Moving to London I hoped to fulfill my dream of one day making it onto the West End stage. I spent the months of February and March going through several college auditions. After a number of rejections I finally got one step closer to that dream when I got my letter of acceptance into the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, for the one year intensive course.
I originally intended to get into college in September 2011 once I finished my Leaving Certificate (The Irish equivalent of the A Levels). I ended up going down a completely different route and studying Biomedical Science. At first, I liked it, but as I finished first year I realised it was not where I wanted to be, and through second and third year I struggled to continue with the course and almost dropped out countless times. No matter how much I knew it was not for me I could not quit. So I pushed forward and I can now say that I am the proud owner of a Degree in Biomedical Science. If I can make it through 3 years of a course I don't like, I can only imagine how far I can go in getting the opportunity to attend Italia Conti in September.
I am absolutely delighted to have gotten this place but as the school does not offer financial aid to those on a one year or foundation course I am searching for other ways to fund my education in this field. That's why I am here.
I need YOUR help. Yes! you there!
I thank you in advance for any support you can give to me.
So here's where you come in. The fees consist of three installments of £4,320 over three terms, amounting to a total of £12,960 for the year (Unfortunately that does not include living costs).
Now hold your horses, I am not going to ask you to donate thousands of pounds! That's lunacy!
But I am leaving it up to you as to how much you would like to contribute. Not to steal lines from anyone but 'Every Little Helps!'.
So , as you can see from the above I have shown dedication and commitment to everything that I set out to achieve. By setting up this page, I continue to endeavor to complete my goal and achieving the next level required to get me on to a live show on stage in the West End. I sincerely hope that you find it in your heart to help me reach that level, knowing that something great will come from the soul of this person you may now assist.In return, I commit to being the best performing artist that I can be and that I will pass on the skills that I will learn to others with the same passion as I hold.
I thank you again for taking the time to read this statement and even clicking into my page. Anything you can give to support my dream will be greatly appreciated. You are contributing to my future and I promise none of it will go to waste!
