Make studying at RADA possible for Saddam

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for taking time out from your busy schedules to click on to my campaign and read my story! My name is Saddam. I am 27 years old. My preferred pronoun is ‘he’ and ‘him’. I am an actor and a theatre practitioner, and I am about to start my acting training in the MA Theatre Lab at RADA, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London.

It has been a very long journey for me. I grew up in a small village called Kasimabad in Northern India. My path as an actor started when I joined Asmita Theatre Group – known for street theatre in Delhi – while studying for my graduation. Afterwards, I took up acting seriously and I went through a formal training at the Bharatendu Academy of Dramatic Arts, Lucknow. Later I joined the Auroville Theatre Group in South India. With them I have worked in various international productions since 2017.

But I still feel that there is so much to learn and explore. I always wanted to expand my horizon learning new methods and exploring new approaches in acting. So, I applied at RADA and after many excruciating rounds of auditions, I finally made my way into one of the best acting schools in the world. It was a dream come true when they sent me an offer letter to join the course! But then the next moment I realized that this dream would not see the daylight until I had enough funds. RADA is in London, and it is incredibly expensive there – especially compared to India. The tuition fee alone sums up to ₹20,20000 and the living expenses are at least another ₹1100000 - that's more than 30 lakhs rupees in total. I was offered a seat last year already. Unfortunately, funds and scholarships were not available since it coincided with the initial days of the coronavirus pandemic. I could defer my entry for one year, but still no scholarships worked out and I need the full amount in my account by September 2021.

And this is where I need your help!

I am more than happy to return a favor in my own capacity. I believe this course will open up to me a whole new world of craft and knowledge which I want to share with you in form of workshops and tutorials.

The second wave of the pandemic has taken a toll like never before in my country. My whole family had Covid and my father spent a long time in hospital. It was a long and hard struggle that I had to go through in dealing with this crisis. This also kept me for a long time from reaching out to the world which is under so much stress already. I have tried all the other ways but given the time constraint, the only way that seems left is to reach out.

So, I invite you to become part of my journey by contributing any amount that you can towards it. Even the smallest amount will be very much appreciated. And even if you don’t decide to donate, I would be very grateful, if you would share this and lend it as much visibility as possible. I really need your help. And every help is a small step closer to my dream! Thank you all!

Please see the break through of the tuition fee and living expenses below in the offer letter

- Saddam

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