Get Mat to the Globe!

I have been involved in the SGCNZ, University of Otago, Sheilah Winn, Shakespeare Festival for the past four years. When I began this journey I never expected I’d get any further than regionals. However, in April of this year I was selected in the East Coast regional festival to be a ‘Direct Entrant’ to the National Shakespeare School Production, held during the September School Holidays. This is a week long intensive of workshops and rehearsals, the week concluding with a public performance. Over this week I developed and grew not only as a performer, but also as a person - gaining skills transferable to life beyond the realms of theatre. It was life changing! And if this wasn’t enough, I have since received news that I, along with 23 other talented performers, have been selected to be a members of the SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company 2020!

The troupe will be travelling to London in July of next year, representing New Zealand as ambassadors for Shakespeare and the Performing Arts. During our stay in London we will be working with the industries top directors and tutors, showing off our newly learnt skills in a performance on the Globe stage!

I can’t express enough how incredibly privileged and humbled I am to have been given this amazing opportunity. I would like to thank every single person who has made this possible for me, including my family, friends, school and community!

The total cost of the trip is $9000, due by May of next year. I will be partaking in a number of fundraising efforts, including sausage sizzles, market stalls, finding sponsors and fundraiser concerts.

Please donate to my cause, and help me get to London. Any sized donation would be hugely appreciated, it all helps! All sponsors will be acknowledged, and the skills I learn at YSC I will be bringing back to NZ with me, to share with my local community and the next generation of ‘Shakey Sponges’.

I look forward to the challenge of fundraising, and the amazing experience to come.