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CASE STUDIES
Mukamajule Michelo What I love and appreciate about Trusts like this is that they give a chance to those in need. When I applied, I was in need of help in order to complete my final year for Drama School and settle into the hard work and fun involved in creating theatre. The Kieran Taylor Trust made it very accessible to apply to them and ask for monetary help and mentorship. The questions asked allowed me to be specific in what I was asking for and to think about my future within the arts and where I want my career to go. I was allocated a mentor in addition to my grant, and this helped me in a massive way. When going through hard times I know that it always helps when someone is there to simply listen to you – half the time that’s all you need. I had that with my mentor – after my showcase performance with my Drama School I was feeling down and confused and it was hard for me to keep my going and my meeting with my mentor provided me with that boost of knowledge and confidence! Seeing someone and speaking to someone who looks like me and is in the same profession – proving that this job can be done – was honestly life changing and allowed me to take a deep breath and continue with my training with revitalised hope and vigour. Being able to pop my mentor a question about agent representation was fantastic and then being able to invite her to my upcoming show was brilliant too! I felt entirely supported to have her in the audience that night – with my family in Northern Ireland it was comforting to know that she was there to support me when my family couldn’t. I hope that one day I will be able to mentor someone myself as the listening ear, advice and presence that my own mentor gave me is invaluable and I hope to continue to learn and grow alongside her. I want to share a quick story about something my mother always reminds me of; my departure away from Zambia and subsequently my father. My dad had us all in a huddle in Lusaka Airport and he was crying and my brother and sister were upset and very aware that this was a big move – I had freshly turned six. My dad turned to all of us and asked, “Will you miss me?” My brother turned around and agreed that he would, with tears in his eyes and fear in his chest; my sister followed suite as she clutched her dress – they both watched as our father broke down in front of our eyes and they wanted so badly to soothe him so they turned to my dad and said ‘We won’t leave you! We want to stay.” My father turned to me, feeling a little comforted by their responses and he asked me the same question. “Mukamajule, you will miss me. Won’t you?” I looked up at him simply and said without hesitation. “I’m going anyway.” I wanted to share this because when applying for this grant, I had a big think about my life so far and the thoughts of Sacrifice, Will and Fulfilment came to mind. I’ve always wanted to Act and have always done so – from primary school plays to secondary school productions – to running the drama club – heading the ‘Acting’ part of the school Extravaganza in my final year, then heading off to University to study Acting and Performance and then embarking on the epic journey of Drama school for another three years. Sacrifice hasn’t been as taxing to me as it could have been, as it has never felt like a sacrifice – it’s always felt like the ‘thing to do’ because I’ve always wanted to make this life work for myself. I do this by asking for help and the KTST Trust was able to provide that help in spades! I never would have been able to meet and speak to my mentor and have the opportunity to develop a relationship with her - the trust gave me such an opportunity and I want to express my thanks and hope that one day I will be given that opportunity to pay it forward too. I would have struggled with completing my final year- the KTST Trust gave me the opportunity to complete it – and now I am in my final few weeks of drama school – a journey that has had its ups and downs but one that I wouldn’t trade for the world! And I would have never known the true power of a group of people providing opportunities to those in need. The community and sense of belonging it brings. I feel incredibly honoured to have received the KTST Grant for it has changed my life and allowed me to keep on striving and loving this Art form we call Acting. Opportunity comes in different forms and when my former mentor and now friend brought this trust to my attention (an offer that I will forever be grateful for) I decided to run with it and I am so happy that I did because I know how hard it is to believe in oneself and when you can have a team like the Kieran Taylor Trust supporting you and a mentor advising you, your dreams become ambitions, then goals and then reality and this profession, this life, this art form is a reality that I am so thankful to live within.
Pearce John Baptiste At the beginning of 2022, myself and my friend decided to take up a contract for renting a space to use as a studio, DJ and creative room. I have a huge interested in recording and producing music, which is currently the main use for the studio we occupy now, named; Charged Up Studios. Furthermore, in order for me to charge rates for artists to come in, especially the clientele we’re aiming for, I would need a high quality, professional, industry standard microphone. I discussed this with friends, family and teachers. I was told about several funds that help creatives, and The Kieran Taylor Trust instantly appealed to me and I was successful in being accepted! The process was fairly simple and I had to obviously explain my reason for getting the money, which was straightforward and nothing personal and I feel like the process was actually interesting as I really had to think and learn about different microphones and what would be best suited for me! This was actually slightly fun too. I decided to get an Aston Sprint Microphone, a great microphone with several amazing features allowing me to have a universal use for it, like recording multiple people, instruments and also to record podcasts and other creative arts! The microphone also has an environmental approach to it as it is made out of recyclable materials, hence its unfinished look. This microphone really proved to me that my old focusrite microphone wasn’t that good! Beside the microphone, I was also given a mentor, someone very experienced in the industry. Since we have been introduced, we have spoken several times,discussing about my future and how I can uphold a career in this industry! This award has heightened my career as a producer and engineer, thanks to the trust, microphone and also a very experienced mentor that is willing to aide me as a creative! On the plus side, I have also been able to build up a very good clientele of artists, where I regularly record with them, giving me a great name in the industry and also building up my skills too.
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Francesca Gilbert Dear The Kieran Taylor Trust, My name is Francesca, and I am currently in my final year of training on the MA Acting course at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Words cannot express just how grateful I am to have received a bursary from The Kieran Taylor Trust, for it has gifted me access to a training which I never before believed I could have. The opportunity to train at Guildhall has been nothing short of life changing, and has been completely transformative not only for my growth as an actor, but for my development as an artist, and an individual. The barriers to accessing a dramatic training are a lived reality shared by many, and my journey into drama school was no exception. Whilst auditioning, I worked two jobs in order to fund the process. To secure my offer of a place, I crowdfunded. During my first and second years of training, I balanced the intensity of the drama school schedule with part time work and fundraised, and in order to continue to train. To sustain this belief in myself, in the face of such a financial barrier, has not been easy. However, the incredible generosity of your organisation meant that, for the first time since winning my place, I could celebrate going into my final year without the worry of withdrawal. I could walk into the rehearsal rooms of Guildhall with a confidence, that I am just as worthy of training. And as a half black woman taking up such a space in the arts, this was profound, not only for me, but for the underrepresented voice for which I represent. To have a support system that holds such a belief in my potential, is a gift that I will treasure, and one day, I hope to pass on that very same gift to another in my position. Not only have I received such incredible financial support, but I have also had the opportunity to be mentored by the phenomenal Ronke Adekoluejo. She has provided me with such amazing support, which gives me the confidence to continue to navigate the industry. My final year so far has been absolutely wonderful. Our first production of Carol Ann Duffy’s Everyman is possibly one of the most exciting play I have ever come across, and I am so delighted to have been cast in it. I was cast as God, which is a role I could have only dreamed of a few years ago. I haven’t yet seen a woman of colour playing God on a British stage, and this meant that for me, I carried a great responsibility to serve not only the story, but an underrepresented voice. I believe that theatre disrupts ritual, and I was ready to challenge the perception of what a God may present as. The courage to do this was born not only from the outstanding dramatic training I have received, but also from your generosity in supporting me to be believe that I too, have a right to take up space. Our second production of Thornton Wilder’s ‘Our Town’ was spectacular, as the traditional exploration of the play was reconceptualised and subverted, revealing a much darker undercurrent that haunted the world we created. This was also my first experience of performing in a period piece, and I found the transformation through hair, make up and costume so exciting. My next production will be Dance Nation written by Clare Barron and directed by Paul Foster, where I will be playing the role of Zuzu. It is play about the coming of age, discovery, empowerment and identity with an unapologetic focus on the complexities of womanhood, and I simply cannot wait to begin rehearsals in January. Amidst the joy of rehearsing full time in a professional rehearsal room, having costume fittings, reaching out to agents, getting my headshots taken, I often take a moment to reflect on my journey over the last two years. The support that you have given me, has made every sacrifice and risk worth it. And as I take each step onto the stage, I know that you will be standing beside me. The journey ahead is exciting, unknow, beautiful and tough all at once, yet I feel so ready to continue on this path. I am becoming the actor that I used to watch on stage from the back seats of the theatre, and this is perhaps the greatest gift I have ever received. I cannot thank you enough for your support, your generosity, and your ongoing belief in me. You have shown me that I am more than enough, in a world where proving my worth has been ever present. I have discovered what it means to be free. To have choice. To thrive and flourish. To ‘be’. This would not have been possible with your kindness and support. I no longer allow fear to have a seat at my table, and with your support, I have rediscovered what it means to stand in my power without apology. I believe that funding affords artists and actors the time to imagine, and I can only dream of what more I can explore, discover and create at Guildhall in my final year of training. To Guildhall, and beyond! Yours faithfully, Francesca Gilbert
Lacey Hudgell – Final Report We applied to the trust as our family circumstances made it very difficult as a family to cover all of Lacey's School Fees, Uniform and extras that were needed for her to be able to train at The Royal Ballet School in London. Lacey is the 2nd youngest of 8 children with whom 5 still live at home. Lacey was extremely successful with an audition process and was one of 9 girls from around the world to be offered a place. She was also offered an MDS place but that still left a shortfall of £9,500 for her fees. The Royal Ballet School gave her an extra bursary of 5k and we managed to get the rest of the fees covered with help from family and friends. We are so grateful to the Kieran Taylor Scholarship Trust for helping with her uniform and extra music lessons too. Lacey has absolutely loved every minute of this year at RBS and so is looking forward to next year. She was lucky to perform in the Nutcracker at Royal Opera House throughout December and January. She also performed at Opera Holland Park last week and they have the finale at Royal Opera House this Saturday. The trust gave Lacey the opportunity to follow her dream and flourish at this school in both her dance and academics and we are truly grateful for all the assistance given.