Need your help to finish college in USA. Been accepted to The American Academy of Dramatic Arts!

About me:

Hi!

My name is Joachim Larsson and I'm an aspiring actor from Sweden. This is me:

I come form a small town in Sweden called Eskilstuna and I'm 33 years old. I've been accepted to the prestigious acting school, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts:

'

It's the same school where many of my big inspirations have studied, such as Danny Devito, Robert Redford and Kirk Douglas, Anne Hathaway and many others! I've auditioned to the school twice before got in.

Background:

Growing up in a small town in Sweden hasn't been easy. I was born with an unusual disability called 22q11 and I was wrongly diagnosed with an intellectual disability (also known as retardation). Because of that, I was wrongly placed in special school. I had to restudy my high school grades which I later did. I never had an intellectual disability which tests before and after my placement in special school has shown. In Sweden, you have to have one to qualify to go to special school.

So I wanted to show everyone that I could achieve my dream despite having a disability and proof that I never had an intellectual disability.

I was inspired by Heath Ledger in 2008 to pursue acting when I saw The Dark Knight. After finishing my general education courses I applied to several acting schools.

Eventually I decided to give Santa Monica College in 2015 a shot since the academy's in Sweden are hard to get into. After a year at SMC, I auditioned to AADA, but didn't get in. So I went home and applied to a Musical Theater course here in Sweden instead.

During those years, I was in three plays.

When I finished that course, I was accepted into a bachelor degree in acting in a school in Australia called Australian Institute of Music.

However, the course got canceled and I had to change course, so I got accepted into bachelor of entertainment business management instead.

After 6 months, I switched to a TV and film production course at JMC academy and went there for 3 months before deciding to return back home to Sweden, because I missed acting.

I never felt my courses in Australia was right for me. It's easy to doubt if acting is what you want to do, so it's good to check out options while figuring out. But I knew acting was what I wanted to do. So, I tried my luck again with AADA and got in.

Being different helps in this business and I believe I will make it because I stand out from the crowd.

I tried to get justice because of my special school placement since I never been intellectual disabled (retarded) and went to court. However, despite my efforts, they got the court on their side to my despair. I hoped I could get damages to cove for tuition costs.

Tuition costs:

The school tuition is 36 480 with living expenses etc adding up to: 55.315. PER YEAR! I was lucky to receive a 8000 dollar need based tuition grant and a 2000 dollar honor scholarship from the school so it's down to 26480. If I get student loan, I can make the living expenses.

How you can help:

If you can help to donate it will help me be a step closer to my dream. I believe culture, performing arts and entertainment is still important. I love to entertain people. I love to share my love for acting to others.

If you don't believe my story, please, read this article that I was in:

https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/jPwQBL/magkanslan-var-att-jag-inte-horde-hemma-i-sarskolan

It's on Swedish, but I think you have an option to translate.

I also post monologues and vlogs about my journey to Hollywood on my youtube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbYLKbaavbyBDMy6DRGv7mA

If you give a generous donation, I will keep you posted on my achievements and on future events. I can't offer much in return except for being forever thankful for your support! I will never forget it!

Due to the corona pandemic, I've deferred a year. I don't want to go until it's more safe to travel, which gives me more time to find an economical solution

Thanks for your consideration!