Theatre for Young Audiences
In-development: to be announced!
Since 2012, I have performed and directed over 30 Theatre-for-Young-Audiences projects, including festival commissions, international tours and school touring shows. As a bilingual creator (English & Mandarin), my primary interest is investigating the complex act of co-creation, co-spectatorship and co-authorship in TYA.
Meet my Unusual Family [2019 - 2022]
Direction & Cast (Guai Guai)
Commissioned by Esplanade's Moonfest 2019.
Presented at Asians Civilisations Museum, SAFRA Toa Payoh [Digital], Our Tampines Hub and
Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall.
Every year during the festivities, GuaiGuai and her family of magical monsters gather to celebrate. However, she is often teased for not being monstrous enough. GuaiGuai is tired of feeling bad about herself and needs help to find her very own special monster power in time for the party!
Join GuaiGuai and her family in a fun-filled interactive storytelling session about self-discovery and acceptance. Toggling between the wonder of 2D illustrations, to 3D paintings, to object puppetry and science experiments, this mythical monster world is created by Malaysian illustrator Teh Xiang Her (@angmoteh).
This performance is available in both languages, Mandarin and English, in available for touring. It can be presented as either a performance, or a performance-workshop with post-show craft activities.
2022 Season: https://cs2022-meetmyunusualfamily.peatix.com/
The Nursery Rhymes Project [2017 - present]
Direction & Cast (Roti)
The Nursery Rhymes Project: Imagine Our Songs is a re-invention of classic children’s nursery rhymes in the form of a mini jukebox musical featuring short stories deftly crafted by Mandopop lyricist Xiaohan, Ng Mun Poh and arranged by local leading musician Julian Wong and August Lum.
Since 2017, this show has toured to hundreds of locations, with over 200 performances. In 2022, with the support of Lee Kuan Yew Bilingual Fund & the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, the third album was released, along with two new stories that I directed and performed in (Pull The Radish, The Rabbit in the Desert), featuring puppets by Flying Group Theatre (Taiwan).
In 2023, this show was adapted into two 45-minute jukebox musicals featuring four stories
(Old Little Kitty and Little Old Mouse, Pull The Radish, 1234567, The Rabbit in the Desert):
Here Comes The Breakfast Kakis: Imagine our songs!
It also consisted of ecologically-conscious craft components that were weaved into the storytelling and staging.
“Our children enjoyed the performance very much, […] For the last 2 days, our children have been calling each other Kaya & Roti…” – kindergarten teacher
"Didn't know what to expect with a show based on Chinese nursery rhymes but this was so so good!! Actually teared at one point, what meaningful storylines and the kids super enjoyed it. Please have more!" - audience member (2023)
DIGITAL THEATRE
Here Comes Kaya and Roti: Where are our friends? [2020]
Cast (Roti)
Kaya and Roti love to tell stories and sing nursery rhymes. More importantly, they love meeting new friends. But… with everyone stuck at home, what can they do? With the help of their pal Guyou, Kaya and Roti must rally together, get creative and find new ways to connect with their friends!
Playful, imaginative and engaging, HERE COMES KAYA AND ROTI! “Where Are Our Friends?” reinvents classic Mandarin nursery rhymes as a LIVE three-episode interactive family show series.
Facing show closures in 2020, the team embarked on a journey to bring live theatre back to the homes of audiences.
Review:
'As odd as it must have been to perform without an actual audience present, the team at TTP made sure that HERE COMES KAYA AND ROTI! still kept the energy and excitement up throughout the series, with good use of tech and scenography to fill our screens with wonder every time.'
The wee Question Mark series [2019, 2017, 2015]
Cast (Question Mark)
Winner of 2016 LIFE! Theatre Awards Best Production for the Young
Nominated at the 2017 LIFE! Theatre Awards Best Production for the Young
The trilogy of The wee Question Mark series brings together Huang Suhuai(Playwright), Kuo Jian Hong (Director), Xiaohan (Lyrics), Julian Wong (Composer) and a stellar cast (Windson Liong, Ng Mun Poh and myself!) to take your kids another musical adventure through whacky storytelling and catchy songs!
2015: The wee Question Mark and the Adventurer
2017: The wee Question Mark and the Nameless
2019: The wee Question Mark and the Mountain Movers
Review:
'The cast sustains its tireless energy for the full hour, flashing exuberant smiles and offering comedic quick-fire dialogues. This is unsurprising considering their target audience is known to have a short attention span. What’s exceptional however, is the precision in which lines are delivered. Though animated, the cast is careful not to lose themselves in their vivacity, or let it consume the intention behind their words. Questions are posed simply and genuinely to the audience as though unscripted. As the catchy melody, thoughtful lyrics, and apt choreography all meld together, an intricately detailed performance score is conceived on stage. My inner child is thoroughly entertained, while my adult reviewer self is impressed by the level of skill and dedication present. It can be safely said that this humble family musical is easily one of the better local musicals staged this year.’
http://centre42.sg/the-wee-question-mark-and-the-nameless-by-the-theatre-practice/
Day I Met the Prince [2016]
Cast (我)
ACT Shanghai International Theatre Festival 2016
M1 Chinese Theatre Festival 2016
Experience the joy of life and embark on a moving discovery of self-worth in this spirited stage adaptation of the beloved French classic fable, The Little Prince by late theatre doyen Kuo Pao Kun. Let the melodious tunes lead you into the mystical universe of the Little Prince. Join him in his search for a way to protect his beloved rose!
Since its debut in the 80s, this show has captured the hearts of generations of Singaporean youths and the classic script has been produced and staged by theatre companies worldwide. With its unique blend of theatre, music and shadow puppetry, The Theatre Practice invites children and adults alike to journey with the Little Prince and be moved by this timeless classic.
Review:
'这部戏选择在小剧场上演是否在告诉儿童们去追求创意、才华、相信自己的信仰和追求自己喜欢的东西？这部戏是不是也从中告诉家长们，让他们鼓励自己的孩子，不要抹杀他们的天真、创意、作品，甚至是爱好与专长呢?'
https://centre42.sg/day-i-met-the-prince-by-the-theatre-practice/