SDEA Spotlight: Jeffrey Tan

[caption id="attachment_7333" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Picture Credit: Tan Ngiap Heng, The Pond Photography[/caption]

SDEA Spotlight is a series of short interviews with SDEA members that peel back the curtain behind their practice, their beliefs about arts and drama education and their influences.

Jeffrey has been working as a theatre director and drama educator for the last twenty-five years.  He also sits on the National Arts Council’s Arts Advisory Panel and NAC External Assessor (from 2016).

1. What are you working on at the moment?

I am currently directing and producing OPEN HOMES for the Singapore International Festival of Arts. Co-creating with 30 residents and 9 Theatre Facilitators to create 30 plays in the living rooms of 30 homes. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 Aug 2017.

I am also conducting a oracy programme for a primary school for their students, teachers and parent support group.

Finally, I am also preparing for directing a fundraising play for a senior women support group.

**

2. What’s the direction of your work? Has it changed over the years?**

My work has always been about being relevant, important and necessary. Sometimes my work takes me to professional platforms with professional actors or companies. Sometimes, with the community with seniors or children. The work and process must make sense for all involved. And if the work is necessary, the participants will put in more effort, dedication and commitment.

3. What is a dream project that you hope to do?

I hope to be able to be involved in residencies to work with different communities.

4. How did you start out doing what you do?

I started with children's theatre in Singapore, then I branched out to youth theatre, community and professional theatre. When I was in Australia, I was introduced to Theatre in Education, Drama in Education, Community Cultural Development, Forum Theatre and Process Drama in Applied Theatre.

5. How do you keep your work fresh?

I think time to reflect on each project by either writing about the process and impact or sharing the projects at different forums or conferences.

**

6. What do you think makes a perfect drama educator?**

I don't think there is ever a perfect drama educator. We are as good as our last class. With the rapid changing society and students, we need to constantly learn to be relevant.

7. Why is drama important? Why should it be taught in schools?

Drama is important because it reveals the different tensions, dreams and challenges of our world. We see ourselves through others in plays. Drama needs to be taught because I think in the pursue of academic excellence, we have lost the sense of people and relationships. The importance of being in the moment and relationship with ourselves and the people around us. Imagination, curiosity and sensitivity are important 21st century skills for any society.

8. Who was the drama educator that has the most impact on you?

The late Kuo Pao Kun, was a dramatist, playwright, teacher, drama educator who planted the seed of commitment to the exploration of theatre. He never failed to constantly reflect and respond with artistic creations.

9. What is your most memorable moment in the classroom/on stage?

When I was teaching a group of special kids. They were engaged for more than an hour (according to their teacher, their attention span is usually 20 minutes) and the joy of attempting to jump (from their wheelchairs) brought smiles of self achievement that motivated me to continue doing what I am doing.

**

10. Share a drama activity that you love to do.**

Balancing the space. It reminds us to be sensitive to each other and the space in which we move. How do we keep the space alive and releationship clear?

11. What do you hope to see in Singapore's drama/theatre landscape in future?

I hope to see a more inclusive sharing community about the passion for drama education.

12. In one word, sum up your drama education journey.

Adventurous.

Jeffrey Tan will be presenting a workshop at the SDEA Theatre Arts Conference 2017. His workshop titled 'Crossroads. You. Terrorist', is a process drama workshop which unpacks the relationship between social media and radicalisation.  Get your conference pass here! In August, look forward to OPEN HOMES a commissioned work by the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA). Doors of 30 homes will be flung open over three weekends between 5 - 20 Aug 2017 and their residents will invite us into their private spaces to enchant with stories they wish to share. Click here for more information about OPEN HOMES. //All SDEA members and SDEA Theatre Arts Conference 2017 pass holders enjoy a 10% discount off SIFA 2017 tickets (inc. The O.P.E.N. Passes).

Simply present your conference receipt or membership card upon purchase at SISTIC counters. Discount is only available through direct purchase at official SISTIC counters. Not applicable to SISTIC mobile nor door sales. Conditions apply.

Click here for more details!