Preview: Camp-O 2024 by Drama Box

From mental health struggles, inflation, to climate crisis, today’s youths are navigating challenges that are unique to them. At a juncture between childhood and adulting, teenage years are often fraught with issues of self-perception and difficulties in relationships with peers and families. While youth can be the best of times, it can also often be the worst. Drama Box believes the arts have unique strengths … Continue reading Preview: Camp-O 2024 by Drama Box

★★★☆☆ Review: Re:Assembly by Drama Box

The anatomy of tragedy, seen from multiple angles. So much of the time, Singaporeans are so focused on looking out for themselves, that they become blindsided to the darker, more problematic aspects of society, so much that they aren’t even aware when others are suffering in silence. That’s something that starts as young as one’s school days, and the earlier one becomes aware of it, … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Review: Re:Assembly by Drama Box

Drama Box aims to create new spaces for connection and expression for youth

Recent studies on youth mental health conducted in Singapore have shone a spotlight on how symptoms related to depression and anxiety are affecting young people here. The Covid-19 pandemic, in particular, has taken a harsh toll on the young. The safe-distancing measures of recent years have drastically limited their access to in-person programmes that hone relationship- and community-building skills. As such, more organisations are creating … Continue reading Drama Box aims to create new spaces for connection and expression for youth

★★☆☆☆ Review: Assembly by Drama Box

Summoning ghosts of the past in the hopes of laying bullies to rest. What school doesn’t have its share of ghost stories? From supposed paranormal activity or strange sightings after hours, students across generations have passed down these haunting tales from one batch to the next batch. But amidst the supernatural, school can also truly be a terrifying place to be a teen, with an … Continue reading ★★☆☆☆ Review: Assembly by Drama Box

Preview: Assembly by Drama Box

Since overseeing the artistic direction of SCENES: Participatory Practices, a festival that was meant to happen in-person but went digital in the thick of COVID-19 back in 2020, Han Xuemei has gone on a year-long sabbatical in 2021, received the Young Artist Award from the National Arts Council, and joined Koh Hui Ling as Co-Artistic Director of Drama Box in April 2022. To date, Xuemei … Continue reading Preview: Assembly by Drama Box

Drama Box announces change of leadership; Kok Heng Leun steps down as Co-Artistic Director

After 32 years in the position of artistic leadership, Kok Heng Leun is stepping down with effect from 1 April 2022 as co-artistic director and board member of Drama Box, and will continue his practice in the company as an Artist, Founder. Present co-artistic director Koh Hui Ling will be steering the artistic direction of Drama Box alongside Han Xuemei, who was appointed as co-artistic … Continue reading Drama Box announces change of leadership; Kok Heng Leun steps down as Co-Artistic Director

★★★★☆ Review: Opposition 对峙 by The Necessary Stage and Drama Box

Learning to accept the inevitability of change. Change has never been easy. This is especially so the longer the status quo has been in play, whether in terms of a relationship, or a place one calls home, when routines and habits so firmly set in place, the very idea of change fills one with fear at what the future holds. Yet change is inevitable, and … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Opposition 对峙 by The Necessary Stage and Drama Box

Against All Odds: An Interview with Alvin Tan, Haresh Sharma and Kok Heng Leun on ‘Opposition 对峙’

In any arts scene, you’re bound to find a sizeable number of big personalities, with headstrong artistic directors and scriptwriters who believe themselves the best and insist on a ‘my way or no way’ approach. It is for that same reason that collaborations between companies tend to be complicated affairs, and require not just a common vision, but also an open-minded creative team willing to … Continue reading Against All Odds: An Interview with Alvin Tan, Haresh Sharma and Kok Heng Leun on ‘Opposition 对峙’

Preview: Opposition 对峙 by The Necessary Stage and Drama Box

Over the last few years, local theatre companies Drama Box and The Necessary Stage (TNS) have been closely collaborating with each other, resulting in two critically-acclaimed productions – 2016’s Manifesto and 2018’s Underclass. Now, the two companies are set to present the final show in their trilogy of collaborations, with Opposition in March. “Opposition is a fascinating blend of live and multimedia performance. The narrative … Continue reading Preview: Opposition 对峙 by The Necessary Stage and Drama Box

★★☆☆☆ Review: Dancing with Fish in the Midnight Zone by ARTivate

A valiant attempt at dealing with the spectre of death. Death never comes easily, especially when it’s unexpected. How then does one learn to process it, and not allow it to completely consume you and those around you? Drama Box’s third graduating batch of ARTivate members attempts to answer that, with their original play Dancing with Fish in the Midnight Zone. Directed by Koh Wan … Continue reading ★★☆☆☆ Review: Dancing with Fish in the Midnight Zone by ARTivate