Study Abroad In London: Learn To Live As A Working Actor

AnnaLeesa Telford Start Date: Sep 19, 2023 - End Date: Jun 18, 2024
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • London, United Kingdom

My Travel Story

by: AnnaLeesa Telford Start Date: Sep 19, 2023 - End Date: Jun 18, 2024
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
Hello! My name is AnnaLeesa Sawyer and I am a BFA Acting Major at the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. I persue careers in free lance teaching artistry, acting, directing, and stage management. I really would like to be a fulltime traveling professional and learning my craft in different regional theatres would prepare me for my career as well as build necessary connections to be able to work in other places such as London! Working in London as a theatre artist is the dream for someone like me, and if I can study there now, Ill be prepared for the market there as well as gain crucial connections

Letter of Intention:
I am going  to study abroad in London, sponsored by Ann Marie Pollard between 25 May 2024 and 15 June 2024. We will study at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre for 2-5 hours daily, take workshops, work with artists such as Frantic Assembly (one of my idol theatrical groups), and experience life as a working actor in London. 

I am a junior BFA acting major with a music minor. After I graduate, I plan to be a full-time traveling freelance teaching artist, actor, director, and stage manager. This faculty-sponsored trip would improve my teaching, marketing, understanding of industry standards in different regions, and performance. 

As a teaching artist, I know that knowing more ways to create art gives my young artists options that fit their learning styles. For example, I took a master class about how White and POC performers succeed through different performance styles. Through this, I was introduced to Black Acting Methods: Critical Approaches by Sharrell D. Luckett and Tia M. Shafer which informed me of this for my students' success. In this same realm, I still need to learn how students outside the United States learn and perform. As I am a traveling teaching artist, being able to know teaching styles in a high-demand market such as London will be beneficial to my career goals. Through working with teachers in London, I can examine how they teach, ask questions about their lives, and gain connections for future collaborations.  

Marketing myself is the only way to succeed in the theatre/film industry. I’ve learned through experience how to get jobs in the Midwest. Without the knowledge of other regional styles, I would not be taken seriously in other regional theatre positions. Working with working London actors and creators can help me understand how to apply and audition for jobs in London and surrounding areas, giving me more areas to do contractual work. 

Every country has different styles of performance. I’ve been learning American/Western styles and Suzuki theatre techniques. I haven’t had the opportunity to learn from professionals residing in other countries yet. Knowing what is expected in other countries gives me access to jobs outside of the United States and new skills in performance. I can also bring these styles back to the United States to create new works that haven’t been seen by most American audiences, which is always a draw when it comes to art.                                                                                                                                              

Even with partial funding for this trip, I am determined to go. I am on my own to fund this educational experience, but I am a hard-working individual who picks up extra shifts and has supported my education thus far. I have a good savings account and I would take a loan if need be.

Thank you for your time and consideration. 

Sincerely, 

AnnaLeesa Sawyer Telford

annaleesasawyer.com


AnnaLeesa Biography

AnnaLeesa is a BFA Acting major with a Music minor in the Johnny Carson School Of Theatre and Film. They are junior standing and expected to graduate in May of 2025. AnnaLeesa’s pursuit is to become a full-time traveling theatre artist post-graduation, specifically in the topics of Acting, Teaching Artistry, Directing, and Stage Management. 

AnnaLeesa has worked with many different theatrical/film companies in the Midwest including The Nebraska Repertory Theatre, Omaha Community Playhouse, The Rose Theatre, The Omaha Fringe Festival, Marble Music Studios, The Omaha Jewish Community Center, Lincoln Community Playhouse, UNL Theatrix, Shoestring Theatre, and others. 

AnnaLeesa is a full-time student as well as participating in school productions, working as a voice teacher at Marble Music Studios, working in UNL’s Gender and Sexuality Center, occasionally subbing at UNL’s Children Center, occasionally working as an AVID tutor within Lincoln Public Schools, and other theatrical gigs as they come up. 

Recent theatrical projects AnnaLeesa has been involved with include teaching artistry for Omaha Community Playhouse’s Shirlee and Henry Fonda’s Theatre Academy, acting as Norma Baxter in UNL Theatrix's production of Perfect Arrangement, acting as Teresa in a short film production entitled Divine Purpose (taken to Skills USA and placed 3rd in national competition), and acting as Ensemble in Lincoln Community Playhouse’s production of Sweeney Todd.

Upcoming theatrical projects AnnaLeesa is involved with include Directing UNL Theatrix’s Woman In Black (performing October 26, 27, and 29) and Assistant Stage Managing The Nebraska Repertory Theatre’s production of The Flick (performing February 29-March 9). 

Some awards and certifications AnnaLeesa has received include: 

-Certified Stage Combatant in Single Sword, Knife, and Unarmed Combat

-Suzuki Training

-Actor in Divine Purpose: A short film that won 3rd in the national competition for Skills USA

-Omaha Community Playhouse’s Backstage Valuable Service Award 2020-21 Season

-Westside High Schools Joseph & Marjorie Moore Performing Arts Award and Scholarship 2021

-CPR and AED Certified

AnnaLeesa also has a website annaleesasawyer.com in which you can find resumes, sample lesson plans, reels, videos, photos, philosophies, social links, and contact forms.

  • London, United Kingdom

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