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