Friends help 'humble' star to chase her dream

Two friends are raising money to help a talented Cork actress’s dreams come through after she was handpicked by one of the UK’s most prestigious musical theatre schools.

Zoe Allman Walsh was recently accepted into the London School of Musical Theatre, an opportunity extended to just 40 people per year.

The course, which starts in September, costs close to €20,000 and, because it is a vocational programme, is not eligible for standard student funding.

To help Zoe meet these costs, two of her close friends and colleagues, Aoibhe and Cat, have set up a GoFundMe page with a target of €10k, describing Zoe as being too humble to ever ask for help herself.

“Those who know Zoe are likely already smiling,” the friends shared on the page.

“Her infectious positivity and kindness have brightened the days of everyone lucky enough to cross her path,” said Aoibhe and Cat.

Zoe played Cinderella in the Everyman panto in 2022 and went on to play Mamie Hegarty in the Cork City Council funded short film, ‘The Hegartys of the Laurels’ in 2024.

“Whether you know her from her time at 12 Tables, her work in theatre, or for being a local TikTok star, you know she is the kind of person who gives endlessly to others,” continued Zoe’s friends.

“Because she is so humble, she would never feel comfortable asking for help herself, so we her friends have taken it upon ourselves to do that for her,” they said.

Described as “one of the hardest workers”, Zoe currently juggles waitressing, teaching dance and drama, stage schools, and social media marketing, often working seven days a week.

But Aoibhe and Cat say that, despite her tireless work ethic, the financial gap between her and her dreams is simply too large to bridge alone.

So far, the GoFundMe campaign has raised close to €700 and Aoibhe and Cat are asking anyone who is in a position to help to make a donation or to help share the campaign.

“She has touched so many lives through her warmth and her art, and now it’s our turn to show her she has a community cheering her on,” they said.