When aspiring actress Claudia Peters was selected from 1000 of the world’s top young drama students to attend the prestigious New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts on a full scholarship she thought all her dreams had come true.
But the cost of living in New York – a cost not covered by her scholarship – could shatter that dream.
Claudia was a Nelson College for Girls student when she was one of only two people from the South Island selected in the New Zealand team to compete at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles last year. She fundraised to attend the champs, featuring 1000 students from around the world, and was one of only ten people to be selected for the scholarship, worth US$10,000 per year.
She says that moment was exciting and thrilling.
“I literally just collapsed into my friend’s lap and started crying. I ran back to my hotel room, got my Dad to call me and we just screamed on the phone for 15 minutes. It was just… ah… so exciting. It was my dream come true.”
But then came the costs.
Because of visa restrictions, Claudia is not allowed to work in the US when she is there studying and living costs are $53,000 per year.
Since finishing school in November, Claudia has been working to save money and her father and other family have been sponsoring her.
So far she has around $20,000 saved but it’s not enough and she says if she can’t raise the money her dream will fade away.
“We’ve been contacting people all over the place for different scholarships and funding but a lot of them won’t do individuals so I’m really hoping we can somehow raise the money.”
She says if anyone has any fundraising ideas or knows how she could raise some money she would be grateful for the help. “I really want to go, since my first drama lesson when I was nine it has been my passion and dream so I’ll do anything to get over there.”
If you have any ideas to help Claudia get to New York or would like to send her a donation, email her on claudia.peters@hotmail.co.nz.
