Recently I shared a post about the Enter.Stage.Write 2017 writing competition. You can read that post HERE. Today, I’m delighted to introduce the founder of this event, and glamorous New York actress, Natalie Edwards, who has agreed to pop over for a chat about her career, Transition Stage Company, and supporting aspiring screen writers. Over to Natalie.
The Fun Stuff:
What part of the world do you come from?
Birmingham
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be an actor, but didn’t have the confidence to commit until I was 27, so I worked as a model, but did many jobs such as event planning and even personal training
List three words to describe yourself.
Driven, scatty, glamorous
Who would play you in a film about your life?
Dorothy Dandridge (if she was alive) Catherine Deneuve in younger years
If you had a super power, what would it be?
Telepathic reading minds …. I feel like have this already very good at reading human behaviour and energy Acting gives you a fantastic emotional intelligence
The Sensible Side:
Tell us a little about yourself. (How did you get started in your acting career? What do you do when you’re not performing?)
When I am not performing I know it sounds cliché … I will be in the gym, working in promotion, event planning job and most importantly working in my new start up production called Transition Stage company
Where did the inspiration for Enter.Stage.Write come from?
I was sick of going to Networking events in Birmingham and also being invited to think tank events asking how we can help BAME and Minority actors, I found these events patronising and a waste of time. I don’t really like to be labelled. I suddenly realised the only way to create equality of opportunity is through opening up to writers! The writers are the most important component
Your business, Transition Stage Company, began in New York City to provide a platform through theatre, cinema, and events. What do you love most about working with visual artists?
I am like a child, I don’t ever want to lose the art of play, so I get really turned on organising and creating events and incorporating the arts! that’s my thing! I love bringing people together and the fruition of projects and ideas that come from making those connections, I like to see myself as an innovator and that’s the legacy I want leave in this world.
Can you tell us a bit about studying for your MA at the Birmingham School of Acting?
It was absolutely brutal I will be honest, I think I was a nervous wreck for a year combining intense theory and 10 hour days of rehearsal and preparation of particle work. However, the training is of elite quality! It was like running a 100 miles an hour for 12 months, but after that I can do anything and I am mentally prepared for anything. It was not the best experience but the school is very good at what it does and I am proud to be part of that institution.
You have a guest panel of judges made up of industry experts and business and community leaders for the Enter.Stage.Write competition. What are they looking for from the entries?
To be honest I cannot really answer that, as I am not a writer, and I would never judge as it’s not my forte. But I guess every story has to be captivating and a good pace. But remember to follow guidelines of script as mentioned on website!
What can we expect from you in the future?
This Competition is going to get bigger and bigger. It has real potential to grow. The plan is to bring it to Cardiff and back to New York and possibly Chicago … but one step at a time.
At the core of this I am an actor and I hope to be working more on my personal acting. I’ve been in the UK for a few years and finally landing shows on BBC – it takes time and if I can give anyone a leg up through my events I would love it!
How can we contact you or find out more about Transition Stage Company and Enter.Stage? Write?
If you have any reservations about anything please contact me or please go to http://www.transitionstagecompany.com/index.html
Listen to Natalie chatting with Radio hosts Sunny and Shay at BBC WM 95.6 (forward to 1:44:00) *listen for the next twenty days*
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Shelley Wilson Author 