Help Oisín get to the Globe!

'To unpathed waters, undreamed shores' -Shakespeare

Each year 24 young actors from SGCNZ's National Shakespeare School's Production are chosen to embark to Shakespeare's Globe in London as the SGCNZ Young Shakespeare Company (YSC). This includes 3 weeks of working with leading tutors and directors in London, tours, performances, workshops and rehearsals. And I am fortunate enough to be one of the chosen few.

My name is Oisín Casey Galloway, I am 18 years old from rural Central Hawkes Bay. This time last year, my knowledge of Shakespeare was almost non-existent. I entered the regional SGCNZ Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival for the first time thanks to my wonderful teacher, and had no idea how it would change my life. I received direct entry to the National Shakespeare School's Production, one of 48 from almost 4000 high school students, and met the most amazing people and learned how adaptable Shakespeare can be.

Shakespeare in intrinsically linked to us in ways we don't even realize. From modern movies we know and love being based on Shakespeare plays, The Lion King (Hamlet), West Side Story (Romeo and Juilet), 10 Things I Hate About You (Taming of the Shrew) and phrases we use today that were made up by Shakespeare himself, 'Vanish into thin air', 'There's a method to my madness', 'Wear my heart upon my sleeve' and much more.

I've fallen in love with the arts and theatre as it helped shaped who I am, and given me the freedom and confidence to explore who I am as a gay trans man. I've already learnt so much doing theatre in a small rural area and would love to use my upbringing to bring a unique background to the bustling stages at London. I see the arts as my future, and this performance is an invaluable step in making it a reality.

The total cost for the trip is estimated to be $11,000. This includes travel, course fees, accommodation, meals, $3,000 would cover the cost of airfares and give me crucial support in reaching the overall target. This value is intimidating but this experience is a once in a lifetime experience to pursue my passions so any support is so valued.

'A thousand thanks' -William Shakespeare