My name is Jessica Wright, I am seventeen and following recent auditions I have been offered places to study Musical Theatre from September 2016 at Laine Theatre Arts, The Urdang Academy, Performers College, Bird College and Millennium Performing Arts. I am extremely proud as a serious illness prevented me from training for two years and the likelihood of attending one of these incredible training centres seemed impossible. However the three year Level 6 Diploma course carries few funding opportunities so I am fundraising and working to pay for it.

When I was twelve years old I was lucky enough to work professionally in the West End playing a ballet girl in ‘Billy Elliot the Musical’ at the Victoria Palace theatre. I completed three sixth month contracts as ‘Susan Parks’ and gained invaluable experience from this incredible opportunity.

In 2013 I experienced a huge setback when I was diagnosed with a rare kidney condition comprising the crushing of my left renal vein between my aorta and inferior vena cava, ironically known as ‘Nutcracker Syndrome’. This resulted in me needing a left renal vein re-implantation where my kidney was removed and re-attached again with the blood vessels untangled. The surgery completely corrected the problem and I returned to dance classes a year ago and after much perseverance at Christmas I was cast as one of six senior dancers in ‘Peter Pan’, the pantomime at The Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks. This has made me even more determined to succeed. My improvement over the last year has truly shocked me and I cannot imagine how much I could further improve over the next three years!

I have a very realistic view of what is ahead of me and I am fully aware of the struggles of the industry. I am extremely driven to succeed and know that if I were able to train I would have the best possible chance in doing so. With your help I could have the opportunity to make this dream a reality and your contribution to my training would be invaluable.