About SDEA Interest Groups
At Let’s Connect: Interweave in February 2019, we announced SDEA’s Interest Groups – ground-up interest groups led by members based on what they are passionate about and what they want to advocate for in the field of drama/theatre in performance, education, and community. We want to empower our members to advocate, and do more than they would be able to on their own.
It takes time, conscious effort and resources to grow advocates and leaders in the arts, especially considering we have very different and diverse causes and needs.
Through these interest groups we can get feedback and input from these different theatre/drama communities which will better reflect the ground needs. This in turn will help SDEA identify and advocate for changes that are relevant.
After all, we cannot assume that the needs for different theatre/drama communities can be met by one catch-all activity/solution.
If you would like to pitch us an idea for an interest group, drop us an email at office@sdea.org.sg
About Level Up!
We’re all staying home, and rightfully so. But that doesn’t mean we should stop growing. ’Level Up!’ is a platform for professional development made possible by drama practitioners for drama practitioners. Whether there’s a circuit breaker or not, keep an eye out for masterclasses, webinars, and other programmes conducted by fellow drama practitioners.
We are committed to providing access to high quality training at this time, to advance the profession of the drama/theatre educator. We are in talks with other practitioners to share their experiences and practice with you in an affordable manner. Especially in this time, we believe in providing the opportunity to keep growing, and to keep levelling up.
If you would like to get involved by hosting a masterclass or conducting a programme, drop us an email at projects@sdea.org.sg.
SDEA advances the profession of the drama educator by supporting the professional development of drama educators through its Continuing Education and Training programme. The programme features masterclasses, workshops and the SDEA Drama Pedagogy certification course which helps raise the bar on drama education practices in schools and communities.
About the Masterclasses
The masterclass provides quality professional development classes for drama educators, instructors and theatre practitioners. Masterclasses are facilitated by masters in dramatic art forms and drama pedagogy who have been working in their respective fields for many years.
About the SDEA Drama Pedagogy Course
The SDEA Drama Pedagogy certification course is designed and facilitated by leading drama educators and academics in the industry. The first 49-hour course, Essential Teaching and Learning Approaches offers the essential principles needed to carry out drama sessions with groups.
Upcoming Masterclasses, Workshops & Talks Upcoming SDEA Drama Pedagogy Courses Featured Facilitators
Past Masterclasses, Workshops & Talks Past SDEA Drama Pedagogy Courses
Dramatise is SDEA’s professional journal. It brings together a wealth of drama education material such as interviews with local and international drama educators, feature articles on diverse pedagogical methodologies, lesson plans, book reviews, etc. It aims to be a handy teaching resource for drama educators and both an archival document as well as a celebration of the good work being done in the field of drama education around the world, especially in Singapore.
If you would like to access past issues of Dramatise, drop an email to resource@sdea.org.sg or visit us at our office.
In loving memory of Christina Sergeant – a dearly missed actor, director, drama educator and dear friend, SDEA introduces the Tina Sergeant Professional Development Initiative.
The Tina Sergeant Professional Development Initiative is a fund to support freelance practitioners and drama educators to make professional development a viable part of their lives.
Singapore Drama Educators Association (SDEA) awards selected applicants $500 to attend SDEA training programmes so that they can grow as educators and give back to the community. This allows them to continue to invest in their development especially after experiencing the financial strain of losing work due to COVID-19 in 2020.
“Freelancers who are often paid on an hourly basis, think twice or thrice before they commit to any form of professional development as they not only fork out their own money, but forgo income to attend classes. We hope this initiative not only alleviates financial strain, but remind practitioners and educators that they have to plan ahead to regularly hone their skills.” said Harris Jahim ex-SDEA Committee member who spearheaded this project.
The initiative is named after SDEA founding member Christina (Tina) Sergeant. Tina volunteered much time with SDEA and sat on the committee from the association’s inception in 2002, until she passed away in 2013. She was a strong advocate for the association’s mission to use drama in various sectors of community and to promote professional development. Tina herself regularly attended talks, workshops and masterclasses to enhance her own skills and knowledge despite her experience.
“We named the initiative after her because we wanted to remember a dear friend and colleague, and her practice of constantly learning and giving back to the community she belonged to.” Peggy Ferroa, ex-Vice-President of SDEA.
“The initiative has enabled me to undertake an important course that would help kickstart my journey as a drama educator and inform my practice!” Jeremy Leong, Freelance Performer and Drama Educator, Recipient of TSPDI 2019.
Support professional development and help drama educators level up by donating!
Application Guidelines
Tina Sergeant Professional Development Initiative for Theatre Practitioners and Drama Educators
This initiative is named after Christina Sergeant, one of the founding members of SDEA who made it her practice to constantly learn and give back to the community she belonged to. Each year, selected applicants receive up to SGD$500 each to SDEA events, masterclasses or training programmes. The initiative does not cover other related costs such as extra learning resources, transportation, or meals.
The purpose of this initiative is to encourage theatre practitioners and drama educators to make professional development a regular part of their practice.
Applicants must be:
- current theatre practitioners or drama educators with at least 3 years of practice or teaching experience
- Singaporean citizens, permanent residents, or foreigners
- at least 23 years of age
Selection Criteria
Applicants will be subject to a review by the SDEA Committee, followed by a scheduled interview that will take place before the programme.
Applicants must show:
- proof or an interest in regular professional development
- how event/masterclass/workshop informs their practice
- how skills and knowledge learnt will benefit a larger community
Successful applicants must:
- share with SDEA how they have applied skills and knowledge learnt in their work
Only shortlisted candidates will be interviewed. Successful applicants can only reapply three years after receiving the subsidy.
Apply Now
Donate to Support Professional Development
If you would like to support the professional development of drama educators, you may donate to our campaign to raise funds for the Tina Sergeant Professional Development Initiative by scanning the QR code or clicking the button below.
For more information about the Initiative or SDEA, please call 63456997 or email to office@sdea.org.sg.
Members’ Engagement activities provides for members a form of Professional Development through skills exchange, and encourage members to share drama practices and techniques, have discussions and provide support and networking opportunities. Events are restricted to members only. Click here to find out more about how to be a member of SDEA.
Upcoming Members’ Engagement events Past Members’ Engagement events