Take Amy To Grad School!

Amy Abrigo Start Date: Feb 5, 2018 - End Date: Feb 19, 2018
  • Villanova, PA, United States of America

My Travel Story

by: Amy Abrigo Start Date: Feb 5, 2018 - End Date: Feb 19, 2018
Why Does Amy Want To Go To Graduate School?

After four years of professional experience, I have found joy and a place of belonging in theatre, which I have not found anywhere else. Theatre enables each of us to create life-changing experiences, which are relevant, honest, entertaining, and thought provoking. As a non-heterosexual-second-generation-Mexican-American-female-raised-by-two-moms, I believe that diversity and inclusion are vital to ensuring all voices are heard onstage. Graduate school is the next step that will build my career through experience, rigorous study, and certification.

What Does Amy Plan On Doing At Graduate School?
During my graduate studies, I plan to build my knowledge and skillset to the level of expert in fields I am familiar with (stage management, directing, stage crew, wardrobe), and expand my knowledge in fields in which I have the least experience (lighting, sound, stage craft, props, playwrighting, performing). By the end of my program, I hope to direct a play workshop, a full-length production of Shakespeare, and a musical; to write my first full script; to have a better understanding of wig maintenance, hair, and makeup; to build my skills as a seamstress; to study Kabuki, Bunraku, and Noh theatre in Japan; and to work for at least two of the following theatres: Cleveland Play House, Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, La Jolla Playhouse, The National Theatre, or the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. After graduating, I intend to become a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and to study directing under Emma Rice by the year 2025.

Why Villanova University?
Villanova University stood out to me because of the variety of hands-on experience, robust academic study, and opportunity to collaborate with graduate-level artists, professional theatre companies, and community organizations.

Why Should Villanova Choose Amy?
As a candidate, I bring four years of undergraduate studies at Concordia University where I persevered for excellence academically, professionally, and through extracurricular activities. As the Student Manager of the IT Help Desk, I supervised and trained over ten students on customer service and worked with the University to provide a more efficient manner of serving each student, professor, and guest on campus. As a member of Student Senate, I helped facilitate an environmentally friendly campus and fought for a safe space for LBGT students. I have four years of professional experience as an AEA stage manager, performer, and director. In August 2016, I studied under Tim Uren and completed the Shakespeare Summer Intensive Program with Performing Arts Abroad at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, UK where I learned to appreciate each word of Shakespeare, how to deliver those words, and how breath, movement, voice, singing, and dance can influence that delivery in a powerful way. I have also completed two directing internships, four stage management internships, and four Broadway Tour job shadowing experiences, at which I have learned from some of the greatest artist in the world. I believe I have the skills, professional experience, diverse background, persistence, and passion to be a candidate for the MFA Directing program at the Villanova University.

Great News! I have been selected for a final interview at Villanova University in Pennsylvania to determine if I am accepted into the program, and for me to visit the campus and see if the program is a good fit for me. 

Today, I am writing to ask if you are able to make a gift of $10 to get me to that interview. With the last minute notice of having to book a flight and housing, and having recently lost my voice to laryngitis for nearly all of January, which kept me out of work for 20 days, I could really use your support.

Please consider making a contribution to help me arrive in person and show Villanova how great of a candidate I am for their program.

Incentives for Donating!

In honor of the beauty of art, I will be coloring a picture and sending it to any donors that give $10+.

In honor of the beauty of puppet theatre, I will be making a puppet for anyone that gives $25+.

In honor of my favorite number, that of Larry Bird, I will make you a handmade mystery item if you donate $33 exactly.

Did you know that in Philadelphia in 1775 Johann Behrent built the first piano in America calling it under the name "Piano Forte?" In honor of this and the beauty of musical theatre, I will be writing a song for donors who give $50+!

Did you know that Hershey is considered the Chocolate Capital of the United States? In honor of this, I will be bringing something back from Chocolate Capital (let me know if you have a chocolate preference or have food allergies) for all donors who give $100+.

Did you know that Benjamin Franklin founded the Philadelphia Zoo, the first public zoo in the United States? In honor of this, I will also be drawing a picture of an animal for any donors who give $100+.

Did you know that the first daily newspaper was published in Philadelphia on Sept. 21, 1784? In honor of this, and the beauty of the props department in theatre (the people who create all of the props that get used by actors
on stage - like a newspaper), I will be creating a prop newspaper featuring some donors who give $150+!

Want to be a bigger part of my graduate interview process? I'll bring you a t-shirt, keychain, and mystery souvenoir from Pennsylvania if you donate $250! 

Would you like to choose-your-own incentive? Donate $300 and you can pick your own! Ideas: home cooked meal, fresh baked cookies, your own play or scene, a short story about you, Amy doing dance choreography designed to music you choose, a dramatic reading of your favorite song posted to your Facebook wall, specific souvenor request from Pennsylvania, or all of the above? You name it!  

Want something instead of what I offered for your category? Let me know! Things are up for negotiation!
  • Villanova, PA, United States of America

Updates

1

  • Thank You, Donors!

    Thank You, Donors!
    Thank you to Tony Sarnicki, Caroline Gallego, George Vargas, Mark Posey and all of the other donors, the CTC wardrobe swing, Mary, and all others who helped make this trip possible. Special thanks to Mary Farrell, Esther Vargas, and Henrietta Abrigo. Thanks to you, I am on my way to Villanova University in Pennsylvania for my final graduate interview. #FundMyTravel at http://www.fundmytravel.com/campaign/UztBtc8r9l

More Travel Information