An aspiring actor from Enfield is appealing for help to take up an offer to study for a masters in musical theatre performance.
Katie Monks has “always dreamed” of becoming an professional actor and this year “took the plunge” and auditioned for a masters course at Associated Studios, a musical theatre drama school in west London.
The course starts in October but at present Katie cannot afford to take up the offer. The fees cost £14,500 in total but there is a maximum of £11,836 available via government student loans.
Katie, who describes herself as coming from a “disadvantaged background”, is estranged from her father, while her mother died of cancer when she was aged eleven. No other family members are in a position to help her.
Katie said: “Government loans won’t even cover the full cost of the fees, let alone living costs. In addition, because the course is full time, I will no longer be able to work my current full-time working hours in a theatre in central London, meaning my income will reduce significantly.
“I don’t have parental or any familial support to fall back on. I am doing absolutely everything I possibly can to raise the funds for my fees and living costs, and have applied for every scholarship and bursary I can find that are available to people over 25, none of which are guaranteed.
“I am also currently working a second pub job at The Cricketers [public house] in Enfield to try to save some extra money.
“However, I have reached a brick wall.”
Five months ago Katie created a fundraising page to try and find the extra money she needs to pursue her dream career, but she remains well short of her £5,0000 target with time fast running out.
Katie said: “The idea that I wouldn’t be able to go in October due to money would really break my heart. I have worked so hard for so many years to get to this point, only to reach such a massive hurdle now.
“Doing this course could open so many doors for me and would give me the opportunity to perform in agent showcases, and have access to Spotlight membership too, so I would be able to apply for professional West End jobs and finally begin my professional career.”
To contribute to Katie’s fundraising campaign:
Visit https://gofund.me/9a54781e
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