Actor Emma Dennis-Edwards talks about her hopes for the TS Eliot UK/US Exchange, and some of the things she plans to see when in New York

“Well I didn’t see that one coming”, were my Mum’s exact words when I told her that I had been offered a place on this year’s TS Eliot UK/US Exchange with the Old Vic New Voices, “what is it anyways?” Good question Mum, what exactly am I doing? Well here’s my understanding of the programme. 50 young theatre professionals are split into 7 companies which consist of a Director, Producer, Writer and 3-4 Actors, we go off to New York to perform an original piece of theatre showcasing the Crème Del La Crème of UK talent. In the spirit of the Exchange Process we are paired with a young New Yorker who we will stay with and then at the end of the month we all swap around and they come to London! Awesome times.

As I write this blog I am enjoying a tiring but fun rehearsal period where we are working on a funny, charming and very British piece of new writing called Millennium. The prospect of going over the states is Uber exciting but what’s equally as exciting is performing in a piece of writing that is written for you (not many actors have this luxury) and working with a wonderful team of Actors, Directors, Producers and Writers. The possibilities for development of the scripts and contacts are endless, the feeling that you are working with the future of UK theatre is an exciting prospect!

So next week I will trot off to New York, perform Off Broadway be spotted by Sam Mendes, get a huge New York agent and live happily ever after on Broadway? Well not quite, but I will be performing in an amazing theatre in New York in front of industry professionals (I’m sure if Mr Mendes is in town he will pop down) but the programme also includes a chance to attend workshops with leading Theatre Practitioners, opportunities to network in formal and informal environments with leading industry people in New York, as well as discussing ways we can develop our pieces and perhaps bring them stateside as has happened on previous exchanges. I am ambitious about our trip to New York as well as realistic, this is a great opportunity to make theatrical links in New York but if nothing fruitates from this trip at least I will always have a place to stay in the Big Apple in the form of my Exchange partner.

So whilst in New York here are 3 things (non performance related) things I want to do in time permitting

1. I would love to do a night run with the NYC bridge runners, the coolest running group in the city. They run from their base to Williamsburg Bridge into Brooklyn and back over the Manhattan Bridge into the City. A great way to get fit and see New York at the same time. Win, Win.

2. Visit the Woodberry Common Outlet and pick up loads of cheap designer goodies.

3. The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial, Educational and Cultural Centre to soak up cultural and learn a bit more about the great man himself.

We’ll see how many of these things I will be able to squeeze into what appears to be a really jam-packed and exciting week.