Every ending is a new beginning. But what comes after, in the ‘post’?

Returning for 6 weeks from 18th August to 24th September, the annual SMU Arts Fest is back to explore the uncertain future with POST. Set against the backdrop of a post-Covid world and what some call the beginning of a post-human era, POST will feature a series of artistic and creative programmes that challenges us to embrace the unknown, explore uncharted territories, and shape a future that may surpass our wildest imaginations.

Partnering with neighbours in the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) Precinct – the National Heritage Board (NHB), LASALLE College of the Arts, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and School of the Arts (SOTA), POST has programmed 6 productions over 6 weekends. First up, playing as part of NHB’s annual Singapore Night Festival for two weekends, come check out The Social Post, which features SMU’s music and dance groups in a series of interdisciplinary performances. Inspired by SNF theme “Singapore, the Great Port City”, The Social Post is set to celebrate Singapore’s growth as a thriving digital hub, where diverse cultures and talents intersect in physical and online realms.

Playing at the Victoria Theatre for one night only, SMU presents dance performance Beyond Human, a dance production that raises thought-provoking questions about identity, authenticity, and our place in a post-human world. This performance is choreographed by SMU INDANCITY’s artistic director Hong Guofeng and guest choreographer Jieying Nah, featuring costumes created by students from LASALLE’s School of Fashion and performers from SMU INDANCITY.

In the exhibition Me, Myself and AI, students from NAFA’s School of Design & Media present their take on AI, alongside SMU’s visual and literary artistes, as inspired by the themes of Relationships, Employment, and Creativity. Curated by Clara Peh, this event features an interactive element where visitors can co-create an AI artwork to be showcased as part of the exhibition, utilising laptops provided by Microsoft. Visitors can also attend workshops on the use of AI tools and stand the chance to win attractive prizes.

Playing at the Capitol Theatre, look out for  MMRS!, presented by the alumni wing of hip-hop group SMU Eurhythmix. With 16 batches of over 100 performers from SMU Eluminix, led by alumnus Alex Loon, MMRS! marks their first full-scale dance production, as they celebrate resilience amidst adversity, with the joy of dance becoming a beacon in the face of fleeting youth. Experience SMU’s alumni dancers’ resolute embrace and re-creation of treasured youthful memories as they navigate their post-graduation adulting lives.  

Looking a fresh host for your next event? Check out Post Script, a voice personality hunt for the next generation of event hosts, which aims to discover individuals with distinctive voices and captivating personalities. Organised by SMU Broadcast and Entertainment, the concept behind Post Script lies in recognising a host’s compelling presence, akin to the final words of a letter’s postscript. Experienced student hosts, alumni and industry professionals will mentor 28 aspiring contestants through the competition into the grand finals.

Finally, over at the Drama Centre Black Box, get ready for a production of Caryl Churchill’s Love and Information. Directed by theatre maker Tan Shou Chen, SMU StageIt performs this unconventional play, which features a kaleidoscope of characters and situations that portrays the complexities of navigating connections, truths and reality in the Information Age and the never ending barrage of social media posts.

“2023 will be remembered as the year when we face the dawn of AI – some suggest this is the beginning of a post-human era. At the same time, we navigate the dusk of Covid as the world settles in a new normalcy, post-pandemic. Against this backdrop, we proudly present this year’s SMU Arts Festival with the theme of POST,” says Festival Director Seah Wee Thye (Head, Arts & Creative Experience, Office of Student Life). “We hope these programmes will provoke contemplation and evoke emotions, as we foster connections through creativity and embrace our ever-changing world.”

SMU Arts Fest 2023: POST runs from 18th August to 24th September 2023. For more details, visit their website here