Summary
My name is Amy Abrigo and I am a Presidential Scholar working toward an MA in Theatre and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management at Villanova University. I am seeking your support to attend Villanova’s 2019 Irish Theatre Summer Studio in Dublin and Galway, Ireland. This global study will allow me to earn necessary course credits and separately complete the primary research for my thesis project, provisionally titled: Understanding the Perception of Women on the Abbey Theatre Stage Through the Lens of Costume Design 1904-1914. This program will also allow me to study with professional theatre practitioners at one of the most renowned theatres in the world, the Abbey Theatre. Total investment in this endeavor is $7,880. My campaign is now fully funded thanks to supporters like YOU!

Villanova's Irish Theatre Summer Studio
In association with the Lir, Ireland’s National Academy of Dramatic Art and the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre, Villanova's Irish Theatre Summer Studio will allow me to study the workings and history of Ireland's world-class national theatre while developing my own theatre skills, knowledge and practice. I will work alongside students from Irish and other universities and be taught script analysis, directing, acting and new play development by practitioners and professors from the U.S. and Ireland. My work will culminate in a showing of final work at the Lir and guided by Abbey Theatre professionals.

The Abbey Theatre
The Abbey Theatre, the national theatre of Ireland, has long showcased great Irish drama. Emerging out of theatre societies founded by W.B. Yeats, Edward Martyn, Lady Augusta Gregory, John Millington Synge, the Fay brothers, and others, the Abbey Theatre has fostered playwrights and premiered productions by Sean O’Casey, Brian Friel, Frank McGuinness, Sebastian Barry, and Marina Carr, among many others. The Lir is Ireland’s National Academy of Dramatic Art. It is part of Trinity College Dublin and is associated with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London (where I studied abroad during the Summer of 2016).

Budget Narrative
The program fee for Villanova's Irish Theatre Summer Studio is $4,600. the roundtrip international flight will cost $1,000, food for the duration of my stay is budgeted at $500, local transportation will cost $50 and a mobile phone to be used for my safety in Ireland will cost $100. Books and other supplies used for my studies will cost $57, rent and utilities for the four weeks I am in Ireland will cost $674 and insurance will cost $299. I am budgeting $600 for other educational activities, which will include any opportunities I have to further my thesis, theatre skills, knowledge and practice as a graduate scholar while in Ireland. By working extra hours at the Villanova Theatre Costume Shop and setting aside earned income, I have saved $1,073 for the trip. I also am applying for Villanova’s Tony Ponturo Experiential Learning Scholarship for $2,000 and Villanova's Graduate Summer Research Fellowship for $3,000. Total investment in this endeavor is $7,880. I was seeking $1,887 ($1,667 on FundMyTravel and $220 on Paypal and Venmo) from supporters. My campaign is now fully funded thanks to supporters like YOU!

Why This? Why Now?
This summer is the only opportunity for me to apply for Villanova's Irish Theatre Summer Studio and the only time I am eligible for both the Tony Ponturo Experiential Learning Scholarship for $2,000 and for Villanova's Graduate Summer Research Fellowship for $3,000. I am also applying for an internship with the Abbey Theatre before the program, which would provide a stipend for living expenses. Again, this program would allow me to fill two major requirements for graduation while allowing me to study and grow as a theatre artist at one of the most renowned theatres in the world, the Abbey Theatre.

Thank you for your consideration to join others in supporting me in this once in a lifetime opportunity.

1. In person - cash or check
2. Online - Click "Donate" on my FundMyTravel website
3. PayPal - Be sure to select "send money to friends or family" so its fee free! 
• PayPal.Me/abrigoa
• abrigoa@gmail.com
• Amy Abrigo
4. Venmo - Fee free!
• @Amy-Abrigo
5. Purchase an item from my wish list!

Please note all giving levels above $10 receive their level reward as well as all rewards listed below that level. For example, if you donated $500, you would receive: