Tumi was awarded an RGF grant in 2021 to help fund her attendance at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, one of the most successful and well-respected conservatoire drama schools in the UK.
If her recent update is anything to go by it looks like she is making the most of it!
Tumi told us: “I am currently in my second year of training on the BA acting course at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. As part of the second year, we begin public facing performances for the first time and this started with a tour of 10 schools in Bristol, performing ‘Wilda and the Whirlwinds’, written and directed by Liz Felton, in which I played Wilda!
“The tour was a gruelling but formative experience. I am not sure if I miss the 5am starts, but it was an invaluable experience to be part of a self-made show – which not many drama school students get to do. We were responsible for transporting and setting up the set, costume, sound and on top of that I learnt to play the ukulele to accompany our pre-show songs!
“Now almost halfway through my training I feel more grateful than ever to have the opportunity to do what I love every day. I am in an environment where I am pushed to be the best I can be. I hope to continue making the most of every day of training, especially as I move into my final and most important year in September. In the future I hope to be an authentic storyteller and continue sharing poignant stories.
“I continue to be extremely grateful for the generosity of the RGF for all the support they have given me, and I hope we can continue to work together as I continue my training over the next 18 months.
“Without the RGF I would not have been able to embark on these studies and develop in the way I have. I will be eternally grateful for their support and believing in me!”
RGF trustee, David Cant said: “It is great to see Tumi doing so well. She is clearly very driven and committed to her work in theatre and the photos she has shared with us are amazing.”
