Created and directed by founder of Access Path, Grace Lee-Khoo, Self-Portrait features writings created by multi-disciplinary artists in collaboration with the public.
This roving performance features 4 different monologues by playwright-performers:
Chanel Ariel Chan (Permanence)
Chong Woon Yong (Merdeka / 獨立 /சுதந்திரம்)
Tung Ka Wai (The ‘d’ Monologues) and
Wheelsmith aka Danial Bawthan (NDP 2019).
This accessible and relaxed performance is guided by dancer Ammar “Ameezy” (Hello How Do You Move) and accompanied by Sign Language Interpreters Evelyn Chye (Ties That Bind) and Nix Sang (Not In My Lifetime?).
This performance is Wheelchair-friendly, Guide-dog friendly and is a Relaxed Performance with Creative Captioning and Sign Language Interpretation.
ABOUT THE TEAM
GRACE LEE-KHOO
Grace Lee-Khoo is the Founder and Creative Development Director of Access Path Productions.
A UK-trained applied theatre practitioner, Grace completed her Master’s Degree in Applied Theatre at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2016.
In 2017, Grace was an international artist-in-residence at Graeae Theatre Company (London) – UK’s flagship disability-led inclusive theatre company.
Grace works internationally as a performer, director, dramaturg, researcher, educator, Audio describer and Access consultant. Her most significant project to date is ‘And Suddenly I Disappear: The Singapore-UK ‘d’ Monologues’ where she served as associate producer and performer. The international production about disability, diversity and difference between the 2 countries premiered in Singapore, opened at the Southbank Centre in London and toured the U.K. in 2018.
Recent directorial credits include: Singapore Repertory Theatre’s Silence Bubble and the upcoming Mak Mak Menari by Bhumi Collective for M1 Fringe Festival 2020)
Visit www.graceleekhoo.com for more information.
CHANEL ARIEL CHAN
Chanel is a theatre practitioner and creator. Some of her recent local acting credits includes Permanence (Toy Factory), Three Fat Virgins Unassembled (Theatreworks), 13.13.13 (Theatreworks) Offstage 2.0(Emergency Stairs). Chanel has also performed in various international platforms and festivals.
Chanel is also a spokesperson for AWARE’s Aim For Zero campaign.
CHONG WOON YONG
Graduated with a BA from NUS’ Theatre Studies Programme in 2011. Woon Yong is a bilingual performer and writer. He is a founding and core member of experimental theatre company Emergency Stairs.
As a performer, he was most recently seen in Merdeka (W!LD RICE). Other credits include Offstage (Emergency Shelter), Oedipus (Toy Factory Productions), FRAGO (Checkpoint Theatre), PRISM (Toy Factory Productions), GRIND (Toy Factory Productions), The Struggle: Years Later (The Theatre Practice), etc
In 2018 he wrote and performed in the bilingual monologue G.F.E, presented by W!LD RICE’s Singapore Theatre Festival 2018.
TUNG KA WAI
Ka Wai holds a Master of Fine Arts (Playwriting) from Taipei National University of the Arts and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (Chinese Studies) from National University of Singapore.
His recent theatre projects include Because it’s Fun (The Fool Theatre), A Grinder’s Diary (a work-in-progress by Access Path Productions and Pitapat Theatre), The ‘d’ Monologues: A Lecture-Performance by Kaite O’Reilly (Access Path Productions) and Eve of the Wedding Day (a skit by Singapore Chinese Orchestra and Capital 958).
He also teaches Chinese at local language centres and is the drama instructor for Nanyang Junior College, Chinese Cultural Society.
WHEELSMITH
Danial Bawthan aka Wheelsmith, is an award winning Music Producer, Rapper and wheelchair rugby player for Team Singapore. Danial is particularly drawn to rapping as “music allows me to be fearless and brazen”. He performed with local celebrities for the President’s Star Charity in 2016 and made his debut as a sound engineer, composing soundscape for the theatre production “And Suddenly I Disappear, the Singapore/UK ‘d’ Monologues”. He is also a performer and musician for National Day Parade 2019.
MUHAMMAD AMMAR NASRULHAQ
A visual creator both on the dance floor and through the lens, I spend most of my time creating magic. Driven by adrenaline, I love pushing and transcending boundaries and believe in experiences more than certificates. I was born hearing and hit by a high fever when I was an infant, resulting in my loss of hearing, no sorry. Growing up in both Deaf and Hearing worlds, I witness and identify many differences and similarities in both worlds. Despite my deafness, I had a passion for dance since young. Part of the Redeafination dance crew since 2011 and it has taken my passion to greater height. My focus goal is to integrate the relationship between deaf and hearing to spread a message that both world can work together, taking two hands to clap. Currently a resident choreographer and instructor in the crew and spreading my passion to more deaf youths.
EVELYN CHYE
Evelyn Chye is a passionate ally of the Deaf community. She pursued her Master’s Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy to work meaningfully with other communities. Her belief that theatre connects people has led her to Playback Theatre. Today, Evelyn is a freelance Sign Language Interpreter, an improvisational actor with Tapestry Playback Theatre and a full time Family Life Educator and Counsellor.
NIX SANG
Nix has been involved in the disability sector in various capacities, including special education, accessibility services, advocacy and research. She is also passionate about exploring the intersection of performing arts and disability. Nix is the co-founder of Redeafination, Singapore’s first Deaf dance crew, which has established itself in both the mainstream and disability performing arts scenes in Singapore and overseas.
REGINAL ALLYN
Reginal Allyn is an applied drama practitioner who sees drama as a tool for building relationships, developing confidence, creativity and communication.
She holds a Diploma in Applied Drama and Psychology (2014), a Specialist Diploma in Arts Education (2017), a Certificate in Teaching Arts in the Early Childhood Environment (2018) and a BA in Psychology and Human Resource Management (2019).
She was also part of Singapore Repertory Theatre’s Residency Programme as the Resident Learning & Engagement Officer from 2018-2019.
We would also like to thank:
Elizabeth Quek
Rebekah Lin
Clara Chow
Tay Siew Hui Verena
Mark Cheong
Denise Chng
Jasmine Goh
Mirella Ang
Eer En Xuan
Toh Kian Beng
Balqis Nurulhaq Binte Johari
for your contribution and participation in the pre-performance inclusive creative writing workshop.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Light to Night Festival returns in January 2020! For two weeks, art will extend beyond the walls of the Civic District’s cultural institutions into the precinct’s public spaces, transforming them with light, sound and movement.
Art, innovation and inspiring ideas intersect in this marquee event of Singapore Art Week. This fourth edition of the Festival is based on the theme Invisible Cities. The array of programmes—which span from day to night—draws us into the rich imaginary worlds of artists, writers, musicians, designers, filmmakers, performers and many other creative talents.
Light to Night Festival will be celebrated across five of the Civic District’s most iconic cultural institutions: National Gallery Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum, The Arts House, Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert Hall and Esplanade–Theatres on the Bay. Find our more here.