The three shows reflect Wild Rice\u2019s commitment to empowering young people to make and watch theatre that speaks to and for their generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each one grapples with the issues that matter to young people growing up in Singapore today \u2013 from mental health and gender roles, to the pressures of surviving the punishing school system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you want to understand what young people think, feel and care about these days, come join them at the theatre. Their bravery, insights and talent will blow you away!\u201d says Ivan Heng, Founding Artistic Director of Wild Rice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In May, Young & Wild will take the stage in a boldly inventive production of Anthony Neilson\u2019s The Wonderful World of Dissocia<\/em> <\/strong>\u2013 a funny, surreal exploration of mental health through the journey of one woman looking for a lost hour of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYoung people are increasingly challenging the ways in which we think and talk about mental health issues here in Singapore. They are so brave about facing up to them and not sweeping them under the proverbial rug,\u201d says programme director Edith Podesta, who is also an award-winning playwright, director and educator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m excited to see how the ensemble comes to grips with the no-holds-barred depiction of mental illness in The Wonderful World of Dissocia<\/em><\/strong>; I hope it will help them grow in their understanding of the world and themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This production is the graduating showcase for the eighth cohort of Young & Wild, Wild Rice\u2019s dedicated training programme for aspiring actors from the ages of 18 to 35. Under Podesta\u2019s guidance, the 12 members of this ensemble have spent the past year learning the art and craft of acting for the stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYoung & Wild is the most comprehensive acting course I\u2019ve ever attended,\u201d says Tiara Yap, 28, who writes and performs for SGAG and joined Young & Wild to hone her skills as an actor. \u201cYou really get well-rounded training in all aspects of theatre from industry professionals \u2013 apart from acting, we also learn about voice work, industry practices, and even the importance of self-care!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coming up next in June is Singapore Youth Theatre\u2019s Every Student Is A Good Student \/ In My Head<\/em><\/strong>, a double bill devised and performed by a young company of artists in their teens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two plays explore what it is like to be a teenager growing up in Singapore today \u2013 the former exploring the challenges of surviving our regimented education system; and the latter inviting audiences to experience the chaotic inner life of a teenager from inside their head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI hope that, through watching our show, audiences will be able to empathise with us and really hear what we have to say about our lives and our experiences,\u201d says Por Kate Yi, 16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First launched in 2020, the Singapore Youth Theatre programme teaches young people from the ages of 13 to 17 how to write, direct and act for the stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEverything you see on stage comes from these brilliant young artists,\u201d says director Thomas Lim, Wild Rice\u2019s Associate Artistic Director for Youth & Education. \u201cThat\u2019s what Singapore Youth Theatre has always stood for \u2013 the freedom for young people to express themselves and make sense of their place in the world through their own stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In October, Wild Rice will be presenting Fair Play<\/em><\/strong>, a piece written and directed by Lim that was first staged during Wild Rice\u2019s Grand Opening season in 2019. The play aims to start conversations among its young audiences about gender roles, societal expectations and how fair they really are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGender roles and the societal expectations that come with them are very much in the consciousness of teenagers today,\u201d Lim elaborates. \u201cWith Fair Play<\/em><\/strong>, we want to spark thoughtful conversations amongst young people who are starting to think about the roles they play in their families and in society at large.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nSingapore Youth Theatre Gets Into The Head of the Singapore Student<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Re-Thinking Gender Roles and Societal Expectations<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n