The Last Midnight

By: Kaylah Dixon

David & Jonathan’s Favorite London Cohort


It’s our last day and oh how bittersweet it is! Thank you all for following along on this wonderful journey!


I started out with a leisurely morning in Covent Garden to do some shopping. Tamara and I went to a few different shops in search of some souvenirs for our families and parting gifts for our professors. We were very successful! We met up with Nick and took the train back to make it in time for our last workshop. 

Nick on his last tube ride.




Tamara holding David & Jonathan’s expertly wrapped gifts.

Our final class consisted of a workshop with Will Barlow. We got some time to ask him questions and create our own process dramas. I came to realize that I knew a lot more than I thought I did. Having so many things thrown at you in just a few weeks can make it unclear how much you’ve actually taken in. It was very encouraging to find out I internalized a lot more of the conventions than I thought! 

Me weeping over Erin’s dead body in a tableau.

Our final activity was to create a piece of theatre to reflect upon our experience. It was delightfully silly and we all had a ton of fun attempting to synthesize 21 days of learning into 3-5 minutes. It’s clear that sensory theatre, Tommy of Paper Dolls, and the puppetry design in 101 Dalmatians really stuck with people. We ended as we began, by playing a round of The Big Wind Blows to reflect on how we’ve grown from our first session together. We said goodbye to 6 Bedford Square and had a short break before dinner. 

Goodbye NYU London.

We ended our day with a lovely final dinner at Salaam Namaste. It was a wonderful time of enjoying one another’s company around the table, often shuffling seats to find opportunities to chat with everyone. We expressed our gratitude and David and Jonathan enjoyed their gifts. After all, they were inspired by the most memorable show of the trip, 101 Dalmatians. 

David (Disco Dave/Dad) and Jonathan (Jon Jon/Daddy) opening their gifts.


We stayed until the restaurant closed when we reluctantly said our goodbyes. Some went for another drink but this was our last time all together before we went our separate ways to pack, finish up assignments, and get some much needed rest. 


As this is the final blog post for the 2022 Drama & Youth Program, I’d like to end it with some advice for any future students that may be reading this in preparation for the program.


13! Top Tips to Be Tip Top™

  1. Embrace the mystery! Some things will be for you and some won’t. Just let all the wisdom wash over you and take what you can.
  2. All of the bathrooms are a bit weird, just accept it.
  3. See as much theatre as humanly possible. Especially the random stuff, it could end up being your favorite. 
  4. Be prepared for bland food. It’s fine, but don’t expect many life changing meals. 
  5. Don’t forget to take photos (like I did until this blog).
  6. Be vulnerable with your cohort, you could find some incredible new friends. 
  7. The gin is better in London, drink it. The tequila is worse, do not.
  8. Don’t be afraid of a solo excursion, you might find your favorite places that way.
  9. Try your best not to get sick, it sucks!
  10. Take notes because no, you won’t remember. 
  11. Don’t stock up too much on groceries, you will rarely be in your room and will inevitably waste them. 
  12. Have a Lizzie McGuire moment!
  13. Everything a child gives you is a gift.

And to my cohort that I’m sure will definitely look back on these blogs for nostalgic purposes, I love you all. Thank you for an incredible experience, I miss you already. ♥️


~Kaylah (A London Lady)

P.S. RIP Jack Absolute

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