An Invitation to Play: Chong Tze Chien to honour Legacy and evoke paradigm shifts for his tenure as SIFA’s newest Festival Director

“Let’s play” sounds like an unexpected invitation at a time like this. In recent years, Singapore’s arts ecosystem has felt increasingly brittle, one defined by closures, stagnant funding, and a growing sense that artistic labour must constantly justify itself in numbers, outcomes, and economic value. Against this pragmatic backdrop, theatremaker Chong Tze Chien has emerged from the wings and prepares to stage his first act … Continue reading An Invitation to Play: Chong Tze Chien to honour Legacy and evoke paradigm shifts for his tenure as SIFA’s newest Festival Director

Singapore International Festival of Arts 2026 set to turn city into a playground for the arts with theme ‘Let’s Play’

For two weeks in May, Singapore becomes a stage. Across theatres, parks and historic civic spaces, the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) returns from 15 to 30 May with performances that stretch from aerial dance spectacles and immersive theatre to experimental late-night encounters. This year’s edition carries an unusually simple invitation: “Let’s Play.” The phrase captures the spirit of a festival that wants audiences … Continue reading Singapore International Festival of Arts 2026 set to turn city into a playground for the arts with theme ‘Let’s Play’

Singapore International Festival of Arts 2026 promises explorations of play and tradition under new festival director Chong Tze Chien

by D.Y. The Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) has been an annual highlight of the local Arts calendar, inviting artists and enthusiasts alike to create meaningful experiences through its extensive programmes. Yet, this year’s edition is looking to be a particularly exciting one as the mantle of Festival Director is passed on from Natalie Hennedige to first-timer Chong Tze Chien. Running from 15 to … Continue reading Singapore International Festival of Arts 2026 promises explorations of play and tradition under new festival director Chong Tze Chien

Chong Tze Chien takes the stage to chart the course for the next phase of the Singapore International Festival of Arts from 2026-2028

Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA), Singapore’s annual pinnacle performing arts festival organised by Arts House Limited (AHL), and commissioned by the National Arts Council (NAC), welcomes Chong Tze Chien as its Festival Director from 2026 to 2028. Chong succeeds Natalie Hennedige, who will conclude her four-year tenure this year with the 48th edition of SIFA, which runs from 16 May to 1 June 2025. … Continue reading Chong Tze Chien takes the stage to chart the course for the next phase of the Singapore International Festival of Arts from 2026-2028