Dear Friend,
I am writing to you on behalf of a group of twelve extremely talented young actors. Last September, this group entered The Studio/New York’s Nine Month Conservatory Program and spent a year training rigorously with the top teachers in the country. The growth that happened in that relatively short amount of time was mind blowing, and an ensemble of twelve, talented, committed, ambitious actors was formed. It was decided by the faculty that THIS group was ready for a much more advanced level of training. It is with great pride, excitement, and maybe a little nervousness that I have decided to add a second year to their time at The Studio.
A very ambitious program has been developed for the ensemble. In addition to the continuation of their studio training, four full productions, lead by professional directors, will be added to the group’s curriculum. An unprecedented move, not only for us, but for any studio conservatory training program. This undertaking is, in a word, huge.
As excitement grows within the theater community around our new program, it has come to my attention that we are now facing a major financial hurdle. While tuition at The Studio is at the absolute minimum (we charge just enough to cover faculty salaries and basic operating expenses) some of our students simply can’t afford next year’s tuition. The cost of living in New York is high, the part-time job market is practically non-existent, and sadly, I fear that some of our talented and promising actors will get left behind because of their inability to pay. While I wish I could make up the difference myself, it is becoming painfully obvious that we’re going to need some help.
I am asking with humility and gratitude for you to donate to The Studio/New York Scholarship Fund. Any sum you can spare will make a huge difference to these actors’ lives, as every penny raised will be directly applied to the students’ tuition. While it is my lofty goal to make our Conservatory programs tuition free in the future, my immediate mission is to lighten the economic burden of these twelve students any way I can so that their artistic development can continue.
I know it is difficult to give in these uncertain times of economic hardship, but it is the true lover of the arts who, despite the financial situation of the present, looks to nurture the talent of the future. It is people like you that can make a difference.
Thank you,
Jayd McCarty, Director – The Studio/New York
