Send Thu to the #worldstoptheatre

Thu Nguyen Start Date: Jul 9, 2017 - End Date: Jan 8, 2018
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad

My Travel Story

by: Thu Nguyen Start Date: Jul 9, 2017 - End Date: Jan 8, 2018
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
My name is Thu Nguyen from Vietnam. My friends call me ‘the one who beats the odds’ as I’m among few people from my town to study in the US and UK on scholarship and choose to study Arts. My dream is to make theatre works that stand the test of time and to inspire women worldwide to defy their ‘supposed’ roles and pursue their dreams.

Coming from a developing country, uninformed of theatre and non-fluent in English, I’ve studied hard to catch up with my classmates who have been onstage since they were kids! Beside school projects, I've looked out to utilize opportunities outside to get extra experience and to deserve all the support everyone has given. For 3 years I’ve been involved in 16 theatre and film projects, cast for a diversity of roles, and recognized a three-time nominated actress for the Irene Ryan Acting regional award. My most recent creation is a self-directed one-woman performance 'Crossing the River.' The show had its world premiere in May in Ireland and will be premiered in Vietnam tentatively in summer 2017. You can see more here.

Although I receive a tuition scholarship, my parents have been working hard to pay for all other costs, which is expensive given their budget and the Vietnamese currency value. To help them, I’ve made full use of all work opportunities available. My typical summer involves teach-a-thons for 5-6 hours a day, throughout the night till 3am. Between coffees that keep me awake and kumquat jam to keep my voice from going hoarse, I remind myself that such hard work will motivate me to seize any opportunity, use any resource available to fulfill my dream and change my life.

It’s an honor to be accepted to the Odin Week Festival at Odin Teatret, one the world’s most influential, long-lived theatres. The international seminar will include trainings, performances, lectures, and discussions. Not only will I study with masters like Eugenio Barba, Roberta Carreri, Julia Varley, Tage Larsen, among others but also this is the chance for me to network with driven, talented theatre-makers from all over the world. This is a crucial step to boost all my current achievements to the next level and expedite my progress.

The proposed cost includes participation fee, visas, flights and transportations, insurance, room and board, resources, emergency, etc. to attend the seminar. Visa application is daunting and eats money as I need a visa almost everywhere I go, even if it’s just transiting through an airport! Since my parents’ income has plummeted in recent years, I want to take ownership of this trip, which is outside my college cost, so my parents don’t have to sweat over it.

The Odin experience will be a life-changing step in the dream I’m pursuing, to defy the ‘supposed to’ I had to obey as a woman. Each new odd I beat is proof that everyone, every woman, deserves a chance to pursue their dream. Of the 1400 friends on my facebook, if each of you donates $5 I’d be set to go in no time! The seminar takes place in August and I’m in a time crunch getting some fund to do paperwork by the end of July.

I need your help to realize this dream. Please be my hero. Be a part of this small girl’s big dream. Thank you for taking your time to read and support!

From Thu with love xx

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