Lanarkshire man dreaming of becoming a star on Broadway

Jun 27 2012 by Gary Fanning, East Kilbride News

A STRATHAVEN man’s dream of becoming a star on Broadway is now within his reach.

Singer, actor and dancer John Dempsey has won a place at the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York.

The 22-year-old former Strathaven Academy pupil said: “It has always been a dream of mine to perform on Broadway.

“My other ambition is to attend AMDA, successfully graduate and work on Broadway.”

John first realised he wanted to be a stage star when he enrolled on a musical theatre course at Glasgow College when he was 15.

A year later, he landed a two-year dance course at Anniesland College in Glasgow.

Two years later, he was accepted into one of London’s top musical theatre schools, Laine Theatre Arts.

After studying there for two years, John gained his first contract, on board a cruise ship as lead vocalist.

Once the contract ended, John moved back to London and two weeks later gained a contract singing on the Chinese tour of the musical Spirit of Broadway.

John added: “I have just arrived back from Tokyo Disneyland where I was the lead singer in a show over there.

“All of these jobs and training courses I have done to date have all been stepping stones for me. I really believe if I can secure the funding to go to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy then I will be able to achieve my dream of performing on Broadway and live in New York City.”

Now John is trying to raise enough money so that he go on the $62,616 two-year course in New York.

AMDA have awarded John a $20,000 scholarship towards the course fees.

His living accomodation would cost $13,400 over the two years.

John, whose mother and sister still live in Strathaven, is now looking for 30 companies and organisations to pledge £1000 to help him realise his dream.

“I really do believe if I can get this from 30 companies then in a few years’ time I will be performing on Broadway,” he added.

You can help John by donating on the link http://www.gofundme.com/oxq4o