The New York showcase for the TS Eliot US/UK Exchange is over - Dan Baker gives us the inside scoop on how it all went down...

So, the showcase is over!

It was a MAD day. After so much prep work this week and before, the London team on the TS Eliot US/UK Exchange took to the Vineyard stage and showed the New York audiences exactly what the best of emerging British theatre talent has to offer. But it didn't happen without us all putting blood, sweat and tears into it...

Arriving at the Vineyard for a 10am start, each company was allocated limited time to tech their pieces; having not had a chance to work in the space, this meant a lot had to be done in very little time. As producers ran around finalising the details of the event, directors took control of ensuring all technical details were up to the standard required - and actors filled the space, getting their bearings and imagining the auditorium full of people who may be able to offer them work in New York. With the support of the fantastic production team at the Vineyard - not to mention the OVNV team - everything seemed to come together relatively smoothly, bar a few minor hitches!

As the clock ticked away, companies returned from lunch for the half and began to prepare for what was to come. As the building filled with the sound of actors warming up, the producers stood ready to welcome the various high-flyers invited to attend. And then they came, in droves.

As the auditorium filled, the air crackled with excitement - both from audience and actors. How would the work go down in this context? Would the British way translate in New York? As the lights dimmed, James and Stephen from the Old Vic made their speeches - and we were underway...

Ninety minutes later, we were done. The audience response was overwhelmingly positive. We had done it - and we all breathed a little easier. Now onto celebrating!

As is to be expected, the rest of the evening was a bit of a drunken blur. We were drinking since late afternoon, celebrating our achievement and getting to know some of the New Yorkers a bit better. In fact, I'm actually writing this from the comfort of a sofa - having ended up at a random party and returning home at 6am, I've needed some quality duvet time today...