Promoting arts management in light of Singapore’s theatre scene
As the newer generation become more accustomed to technology and technology-based media as sources of entertainment, there has been an increasing trend of a “loss” in interest and appreciation for the more traditional and practical forms of arts and arts management in Singapore. Centre42 seeks to revitalize interests in the older arts form of theatre production by developing a functional archive, nicknamed “The Vault” to document theatre events and practices. In this collaboration with SMU-X, Centre42 seeks to provide a unique blend of conceptual frameworks, professional insight and experiential learning to students, as they embark on a self-initiated project of developing a proposal for a theatre production that is adapted from an older local theatre production, within a set budget. Under the guidance of the course instructors and the Centre42 team, students stand to gain insights into the practical and conceptual competencies required to produce, troubleshoot and sustain live productions; from formalistic considerations, operational models to institutional arrangements and related arts management principles.
The combined efforts of the students, instructors, and the Centre42 team, birthed the production entitled RE:CALL. Described as a performance response to the text Recalling Mother (2009) and its conceptual framework as a “living script”, the production of RE:CALL allowed for the students to try their hand at handling everything from grant applications, budgeting, stakeholder management, technical production management, venue sourcing, communications, ticket sales and arts entertainment licensing. The experience provided the students with a valuable opportunity to deepen the learnings of industry practices beyond the classroom. As a rare inter-disciplinary collaboration between dance, theatre, incorporating Malay and hip-hop street dance aesthetics, RE:CALL proved to be successful in its aim of promoting the theatre scene in Singapore, and was acknowledge and added into Centre42’s “The Vault” series.
RE:CALL was proudly presented digitally on 3 September 2021, with a YouTube premiere watch party and a panel discussion with Claire Wong, the original writer and performer of “Recalling Mother” and other industry experts. The students’ production allowed the public to enjoy a 75-minute showcase which include a movement performance, a pre-show lecture and a post-show dialogue. This was coupled with a poster exhibition to provide deeper context of the original text and production process.
“I deeply appreciate the opportunity to co-design and co-teach with Dr Hoe the ACM201 module in AY2022-21. The pilot module was a way for us to deepen the learnings of industry practices in the classroom. We had selected RE:CALL to be presented at C42’s Vault platform due to its optimal balance of operations and objectives, making it a project that is feasible and meets the vision it set out to achieve. The process to realise RE:CALL from a classroom concept to a real-world staging was not a straightforward one, encumbered with delays and changes brought on by the Covid-19 measures. The resilience and adaptability of the producing team – a mix of ACM201 graduates, and ACM alumni and students – to see through a successful presentation was a testament to the good foundational work they have built as undergraduate arts managers. This journey had allowed them to experience and fine-tune the less tangible arts management sensibilities that are required of them to be the enabler of the artists’ work, bridge and manage stakeholders’ expectations, and engage with audiences. I am very proud and pleased to have borne witness to the team’s growth as arts managers during the 8-month long process (Jan-Aug 2021). The working ethics, attitudes and trust and goodwill they have built up with the many stakeholders involved will go a long way for their individual careers in the arts."
– Ma Yanling, Company Manager of Centre 42