Theatre Design & Singapore Storytelling

1. Theatre Design &Singapore Storytelling New Hampshire International Arts Seminar Szu-Feng Chen Szu-Feng.Chen@unh.edu www.szufengchen.ent

3. Theatre Design Process • Commitment • Read the play • Script and Character Analysis • Research and Inspiration • Communication and Collaboration • Design Development • Organization • Execution

4. Singapore • Diverse and Young • 1965 declared independence from United Kingdom. • Most citizens root from China, Malaysia, and India. • Singlish: An unofficial mixed language of English, Malay, and Chinese dialects.

5. Chinese in Singapore • Chinese constitutes 80% population. • Languages Spoken: English, Singlish, Singadarin, Mandarin, Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, and Hakka. • English becomes primary language to unify the Chinese Singaporeans from different dialects group.

6. KuoPao Kun郭宝崑1939–2002 An iconic dramatist, playwright, director, educator, activist and public intellectual in Singapore. From the 1960s to 1990s during Singapore’s independence., His works served as social commentaries, distinctly emphasizing on multiculturalism and focusing on man’s struggle and search for cultural identity.

7. KuoPao Kun1939–2002 1989 National Culture Medallion 1992 The Culture Award 1993 Asean Cultural Award 2002 The Excellence for Singapore Award

8. 2012 Kuo Pao Kun FestivalIn search of Kuo pao kun Hosted by The Theatre Practice Supported by Singapore National Arts Council

9. A Musical adapted from KuoPao Kun’s original play Lao Jiu Script Adaptation: Liu Xiaoyi | Composer: Eric Ng | Lyricist: Xiaohan Director: KuoJian Hong | Associate Director & Choreographer: George Chan Lao Jiu: The Musical

10. Set and Costume Design Focus : 80’s life sketch with contemporary silhouette

11. Set Design Inspiration

12. Set Design Research 80’s Daily Life in Singapore

13. The exam scene

14. Costume Design Inspiration

15. Costume Design Renderings

16. Costume design execution