Monday 5th JanuaryWell, it doesn't get much better than this! On Monday 5th January (my birthday!), 32 students and three members of the drama department (Shelley, Chris, Rob) headed towards NYC for our first international residential. We arrived early morning to a snow-filled campus and began the first leg of our journey to London Heathrow. It was hard to believe that by the end of the day we would be in NYC. We had a great journey, although checking in 35 of us in at the self-check in desks at LH was interesting to say the least.We had a great flight to JFK and most of the students refrained from singing show songs during the flight!
A few hours later we were at the top of the Empire State Building. It was absolutely amazing and wonderful to share with our students. We finally ended the evening in a NYC diner with 'eggs over easy'. Quite frankly, an amazing birthday and one that I think we will all remember for a long, long time.
Tuesday 6th JanuaryFor our first full day in NYC we headed towards, what will become our favourite diner, for a
breakfast of steak and eggs, pancakes and syrup and bagels to set up us for the day ahead.
We then made our way to Ground Zero and the World Trade Centre Tribute Centre. This was such an important trip and one that affected us deeply. We read stories of such terrible anquish and heartache and also true accounts of unbelievable courage, bravery and hope. A truly life changing experience.
For the afternoon (after a NYC hotdog), we sailed to Staten Island and waved to the Statue of Liberty. It was freezing cold and snowing, but that didn't stop us standing on the deck of the ferry. Then, being extremely brave we made our first subway trip to Times Square and saw Equus on Broadway. I am so pleased that this was our first Broadway Show, the students loved it. Overall, a most wonderful day!
Wednesday 7th January (Staffordshire Students and Shelley, perform at NYC Theatre)Today (after steak, eggs, pancakes, syrup, etc, etc...) we spent the day at the Museum of Modern Art. We saw so many important works of Art, including key works relating to modules the students were taking. From an educational perspective this was a really important trip, but it was also really fun!
I think the students really liked lying on huge sofas for a contemporary video art installation.
In the evening we made our way to Greenwich Village for a thought-provoking performance by a Dutch company. It wasn't the best work we have seen but then....
I persuaded a group of students to go to a late night comedy improvisational session. But, when we arrived we realised that we could perform with NYC actors.
So, we did! Staffordshire Students (and Shelley), performed in a NYC venue with NYC actors. It was both terrifying and amazing. Perhaps you should read the students comments:Wednesday night saw eight of us plus Shelley sign our dignity away to the Magnet Theatre's late night comedy impro event... Needless to say the 'Stafford- Shire students, plus their "hip" teacher, showed them how to do it. With scenes of ghost towns, pervy men, inappropriate funeral and female domination with one student David, the night was not one to be forgotten - especially for those who opted to watch rather participate - incredibly wise! (posted by James).