da:ns focus – Out of Site: An Interview with choreographer Rachid Ouramdane on ‘Corps extrêmes’ and staging the power of the human spirit

In a feature article on French choreographer Rachid Ouramdane, New York Times arts critic Gia Kourlas described him as ‘the choreographer bringing hope to the stage and beyond’. It’s a big title to live up to, but one that Rachid lives up to and carries well, particularly with his work Corps extrêmes. Playing at the Esplanade this weekend as part of their da:ns focus – … Continue reading da:ns focus – Out of Site: An Interview with choreographer Rachid Ouramdane on ‘Corps extrêmes’ and staging the power of the human spirit

da:ns focus – Out of Site: An Interview with choreographer Hwa Wei-An on the power of falling, and what keeps him going

To make art is to live life dangerously and vulnerably, consistently putting one’s creativity and a part of one’s self up and subject it to as much criticism as awe and adoration. For Malaysian choreographer Hwa Wei-An, that danger comes very literally, and plays out prominently in his solo dance piece A Reason For Falling, which plays this December as a part of the Esplanade’s … Continue reading da:ns focus – Out of Site: An Interview with choreographer Hwa Wei-An on the power of falling, and what keeps him going

Film Fanatic: An Interview with Jeremy Chua, General Manager of SGIFF on the state of the film industry

Jeremy Chua remembers his childhood as a lonely one, one primarily spent in what seemed to become a second home – the cinema. Growing up watching films that engaged and enchanted him, he recalls spending time doodling car parks, and in the cars parked within them, he would imagine people sitting inside, and all the little thoughts and stories that made up their lives, and … Continue reading Film Fanatic: An Interview with Jeremy Chua, General Manager of SGIFF on the state of the film industry

Film Fanatic: An Interview with Yeo Siew Hua, director of SGIFF 2024 opening film ‘Stranger Eyes’

Singaporean director and filmmaker Yeo Siew Hua has a longstanding history with the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF). Not only has he been consistently showcasing work he has helped produce or direct, but he looks upon the festival fondly as a key part of his formative years as a teen. But this year, Yeo is making new waves at the festival once again, with his … Continue reading Film Fanatic: An Interview with Yeo Siew Hua, director of SGIFF 2024 opening film ‘Stranger Eyes’

Kalaa Utsavam 2024: An Interview with HuM Theatre’s Subin Subaiah and Daisy Irani on ‘Train to Pakistan’

India’s Partition is often considered one of the most significant historical events of South Asia. Cleaving a nation into two upon India’s independence, millions of families faced displacement and separation from each other, with countless deaths from the violence that ensued over the bitter rivalry, with tensions that continue even into the present day. How then does one even begin to grapple with the massive … Continue reading Kalaa Utsavam 2024: An Interview with HuM Theatre’s Subin Subaiah and Daisy Irani on ‘Train to Pakistan’

The Feelings Farm: An Interview with Amanda Chong on connecting with children and managing emotions

“Like a Pixar film onstage.” That’s how writer Amanda Chong imagines any kind of Theatre For Young Audiences theatre should feel like, rather than talking down or infantilising it in any way, able to connect not just with children, but even with the adults accompanying them by speaking to some fundamental, universal, relatable truths. And in many ways, that is precisely what she’s achieved with … Continue reading The Feelings Farm: An Interview with Amanda Chong on connecting with children and managing emotions

Staging Ryuichi Sakamoto: An Interview with Todd Eckert, founder of Tin Drum and co-creator of KAGAMI on technology and friendship in the arts

In March 2023, Ryuichi Sakamoto, one of Japan’s greatest contemporary composers and pianists, passed on after a long battle with cancer. Known for his ambient, sparse compositions that were capable of evoking powerful reactions and emotions from his listeners, his fans mourned him, while also knowing they would never get to see him perform live again. Yet, one of those fans, who also happened to … Continue reading Staging Ryuichi Sakamoto: An Interview with Todd Eckert, founder of Tin Drum and co-creator of KAGAMI on technology and friendship in the arts

Can I Make You A Suit, Mate?: An Interview with Rishi Budhrani on grounding himself and returning to his roots via comedy

“If you want to know where you’re going, you need to know where you’re from.” That is the mantra that comedian Rishi Budhrani took with him when he set out to write and perform one-man show Can I Make You A Suit, Mate?, which returns to the stage this week, following a sold-out run in 2022, during the Esplanade’s annual Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival … Continue reading Can I Make You A Suit, Mate?: An Interview with Rishi Budhrani on grounding himself and returning to his roots via comedy

Bangkok Art Biennale 2024: An Interview with Chief Executive and Artistic Director Prof. Dr Apinan Poshyananda and curatorial section leader Pojai Akratanakul

The art world loves a good Art Biennale. And with more countries coming up with their own, the scene is getting increasingly crowded, to the extent one can plan an entire world tour hopping from one Biennale to another as the circuit only continues to grow. But the Biennale has never been solely for the art world – such events are also crucial for a … Continue reading Bangkok Art Biennale 2024: An Interview with Chief Executive and Artistic Director Prof. Dr Apinan Poshyananda and curatorial section leader Pojai Akratanakul

White, All White: An Interview with writer/director Deonn Yang and cast member Koh Wan Ching on care and growth

Beyond her formal arts education in LASALLE College of the Arts, theatremaker Deonn Yang is also a self-proclaimed graduate of the ‘School of The Necessary Stage (TNS)’, beginning with an online playwriting workshop conducted by Haresh Sharma in 2020, during the COVID era. That led to her applying for Playwrights’ Cove in 2022, also by TNS, before presenting her show Why Be Good When You … Continue reading White, All White: An Interview with writer/director Deonn Yang and cast member Koh Wan Ching on care and growth