If you don't know... Emma Dennis-Edwards

…let me introduce you!

Emma Dennis-Edwards is a writer and actor, who has trained as part of the Old Vic 12, Soho Writers Lab, and The Royal Court and Lyric Hammersmith’s Writers programmes. She is also a current participant at BBC Writersroom Drama Room and Continuing Drama Writer's Academy 2019/2020. 
 
In 2014, she co-created 2:1 with Rachael Nanyonjo of Kansaze Dance. The project used dance and theatre to tell a  tale of power, choice, representation, gender and the gaze. You can watch some stunning snippets of the work here. 
 
Her play Funeral Flowers, which she starred in and wrote, was a smash hit at Edinburgh Festival in 2018 winning a Fringe First among other awards, before transferring to the Bunker Theatre in London. Directed by Rachel Nworoko, the play tells the story of 17 year old Angelique who dreams of being a florist. Part poetry, part play; we are taken on a journey of a young girl with her mum in prison left to navigate the care system and the recurring threat from her boyfriend's gang. 
 
The most recent scheduled performance at HMP Thameside was postponed during lockdown, prompting Emma and collaborators to put together a zine for prisoners to read and experience while their libraries and recreational facilities were closed. 
 
“Dennis-Edwards is astonishing in this definition of important, powerful theatre.” To Do List
 
In 2019, Emma’s play American Dream 2.0 was performed at the Young Vic as part of their neighbourhood theatre project. You can hear her talk about the project, on the Young Vic’s Off Book podcast here. 
 
You can read some of her brilliant advice to emerging artists in The Stage here. 
 
You can read more about her work here, and follow her on instagram here.