Original works conceived and performed by ITI’s graduands
5–7 September 2024
Thu & Fri: 8 PM / Sat: 3 PM, 8 PM
ITI Studio 1
Intercultural Theatre Institute
11 Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228120
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Advisory: Mature themes
Embedded Files
The Final Year Individual Project (FYiP) is a critical and integral aspect of Intercultural Theatre Institute’s actor training programme. The primary aim of FYiP is for the students to cultivate and articulate their artistic voice, combining the technical skills and critical sensibilities honed through their training with the exploratory freedom of a creative platform.
FYiP is designed to be a trial and error process driven by the students, encouraging risk-taking and experimentation with teachers providing mentorship, dramaturgy and production advice.
In some instances, graduates have gone on to develop these works after leaving ITI, opening doors to stages and festivals around the world.
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Featuring: Adam Guevarra Almeniana, Akshay Sharma, Karthik S, Krys Yuan and Lam Man Yik
Gifted.
by Krys Yuan
Throughout her life, Suha has always been a shining example of mediocrity, unlike her twin sister Nina, a talented boxer and everyone’s favourite person. Suha explores her past failures, memories and dreams, searching for her own giftedness when something happens that would change their relationship forever.
A play for those in the gutter, looking for stars.
Performed in English
DESAPARECIDOS
by Adam Guevarra Almeniana
plural noun: a person who has disappeared, presumed killed by members of the armed services or the police
How long will we hide? How long will we stay silent, turning a blind eye? What is true freedom for, and for whom do we fight? For decades, the state has been systematically eroding our rights, yet we persist, living through different forms and times. We may disappear, but we will not be forgotten. This is a story of vanishing, of relentless search, and of rebellion.
Performed in Tagalog-English (Tag-lish) with English surtitles
The Bath of Love
by Karthik S
In a Tamil Nadu village, a son confronts a profound choice as his father’s health fades. Tradition dictates the thalaikoothal ritual, but the son is torn between duty and compassion. As he navigates through memories, the lines between love and obligation blur. The Bath of Love explores the complexities of familial bonds, leaving the ultimate decision suspended in uncertainty.
Performed in English
------ Intermission (10 min) ------
都是借來的 (Borrowed Hands, Borrowed Feet)
by Lam Man Yik
A girl wakes up with fish features on her body. She begins a journey to search for answers in garden ponds and oceans, encountering various kinds of fish. Faced with a crucial dilemma of being between worlds, where will her choices lead her?
Performed in Cantonese with English surtitles
India My Valentine
by Akshay Sharma
A turn of events starts to happen when a man conducting a spiritual workshop realises that the ideology he once strongly believed in has started to haunt him.
What choices does he make when his own existence is put into question?
Who measures the loyalty one has towards their own country?
Performed in English and Hindi
Acknowledgements and Credits
Production & Stage Manager:
Clarisse Ng
Graduands’ Headshots by
Bernie Ng
Adam Guevarra Almeniana
Music score: Keith Oneil Roldan
Photos: Thumley Rie Padullon
Akshay Sharma
The script contains an excerpt from Bhanwar Meghwanshi’s book I Could Not be a Hindu: The Story of a Dalit in RSS
Karthik S
Special thanks to Hairi Cromo for mentoring me in designing the puppet's body, Hannah Dale for guiding me in clay sculpting the puppet's face, and Rush Ang for collaborating on sound design.
To Andy, your unwavering support and our deep conversations about acting kept me going when I almost gave up.
Wan Ching, your dramaturgy and willingness to listen to countless story versions were invaluable.
Sasi, thank you for helping me root and anchor the themes of this work.
Chin, your ideas on set design and physical characterization greatly enriched the piece.
Simon, your unique perspective and thought-provoking questions shaped the final form of this work.
Krys Yuan
What a blessing it is to have practising artists mentor you and care about your work. I owe endless gratitude to all my teachers, for giving me the space to fail, cry, and get up again. Special shout out to Simon and Wan Ching for believing in my chaotic process from day one.
To Almira, for her expert musical advice and brilliant teaching.
To Steph, for her sewist expertise.
To Sohail, for lending your design brain and patient ear, making me take rest and for keeping me grounded.
To Mum and Grandma, for supporting me endlessly with all their heart, even though you don’t understand most of my plays, a lifetime of thank yous will never be enough.
To Man Yik, Akshay, Karthik, Adam, through our ups and downs I’m always grateful for your presence, mutual support, and friendship. Thank you for making us happen.
Music credit: Metamorphosis by Infinity Song
Lam Man Yik
Thanks to all the faculty in ITI, especially Andy and Wan Ching for guiding and supporting me.
Thanks to Jean Tay for giving advice on writing a script.
Thanks to my cohort, for giving a lot of ideas and suggestions and being supportive.
Thanks to my family and HWK, they lent me some intelligence.
Song credit: 大星叠小星 (Big Stars and Tiny Stars) by 黎連壽 (Lai Lin-shau), from documentary 岸上漁歌 (Ballad on the Shore)
Graduands
Adam Guevarra Almeniana
Philippines
Philippines
Adam Guevarra Almeniana is a theatre practitioner from Sorsogon-Bicol, Philippines. He is an alumnus of Sama-samang Tinig ng mga Aktor na Gumagalaw sa Entablado (S.T.A.G.E), which is a resident Theater Arts Company at University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi (formerly AUL-Legazpi City). He is also a Senior Member of Sining Banwa Albay Performance Collective Inc, a non-profit inter-disciplinary arts group and independent cultural organization based in the province of Albay in the Philippines.
He began his theatre journey in 2008 as a pioneer member of Teatro Pilarinyo, a Diocesan Performing Group and emerged as a cultural worker, performer, actor, choreographer, director, and theatre workshop facilitator for youth-oriented projects; cultural mapping workshops in towns across the Bicol Regions. Adam was one of 12 theatre practitioners selected to devise Likha-Lakbayan for Tanghal National University and College Theater Festival, touring five major cities in the Philippines. His recent roles and projects include Sining Banwa major-play productions Tatlong Libong Bayani Ng Ibalong (2011), Silang Maraming Pangalan (2012), Santo Agua (2013), SI Al Buda An Tsinelas (2014), GymGurls (2015-2016). He also played the role of Artemio Ricarte in Lav Diaz's film Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis (A Lullaby To The Sorrowful Mystery).
Adam is a beneficiary of the Möbius Fund, a revolving loan fund for actor-students.
Akshay Sharma
India
India
Akshay Sharma is an actor from India. His foray into theatre started with working in Unicorn Actor’s Studio, a group formed by the graduates of the National School of Drama (New Delhi). With that group he got a chance to be involved in all aspects of theatre. Following that, he performed in many prestigious festivals: Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM, 2017), Theatre Olympics (2018), North East India Theater Festival (2018), and Bharat Bhavan Theatre Festival (2019) - performing in plays all over India and exploring different styles of theatre.
He also attended various residential workshops including Navarasa Sadhana by G Venu (Natana Kairali, Kerala), Ashram Perafin by Rajendra Panchal (Kota, Rajasthan), and the National School of Drama extension workshop (Tumari, Karnataka) to deepen his knowledge of different pedagogies in acting training.
In the future he plans to develop original works in theatre and explore different mediums for his expression.
Akshay is a recipient of the Tan Chay Bing Education Fund Scholarship and a beneficiary of the Möbius Fund, a revolving loan fund for actor-students.
Karthik S
India
India
Karthik S is a multifaceted artist from Bangalore, India, whose talents span various domains. Trained at the prestigious National School of Drama, Karthik has excelled as an actor, model, and former speech and drama facilitator.
Karthik initially ventured into the Kannada film industry where he honed his skills as an assistant director. He also made notable appearances on regional television programs. In 2019, he was awarded the title of Mr. Confident at the Best Icon of India Awards, representing his home state of Karnataka at the National Beauty Pageant.
Karthik's credits include on-screen roles in Ekachakram (2021), One Hit Wonder (2024), along with major stage performances in productions like The Crossroad Inn (2023), Anthithottam (2024), Animal Farm (2020), and Kusumbale (2020).
Karthik is an avid explorer of physical expression, delving into forms such as Kalaripayattu, pole Mallakhamb, rope Mallakhamb, Silambam, Yakshagana, Kathakali, Parai, Theyyam, and Acrobatics. With over two years of experience instructing students in speech, movement, and drama at International Schools in Bangalore, Karthik also channels his passion into nurturing budding talents. Currently, he is training in Indian classical dance (Odissi). Karthik believes in a continuous journey of learning and growth. He aspires to collaborate with artists worldwide and craft performances that resonate deeply with audiences.
Karthik is a recipient of the Tan Chay Bing Education Fund Scholarship and a beneficiary of the Möbius Fund, a revolving loan fund for actor-students.
Krys Yuan
Singapore
Singapore
Krys Yuan (she/her) is a theatre artist, actor and playwright from Singapore. Her artistic journey started in an all-girls drama club and led her to graduate from School of the Arts, Singapore (SOTA) majoring in theatre. She holds a BA in Anthropology through which she explored her curiosity about culture and societies. She lives and plays in liminal spaces, embracing themes of environmentalism, speculative fantasies and human fallibility.
Prior to ITI, she was working in youth non-profit, freelance theatre producing and writing on Coast Salish territories (aka Vancouver, Canada). She also trained in self-defense and Bel Canto style of singing. During her time in Canada she acquired skills in facilitation, de-escalation and mental health first aid, in addition to building a commitment to anti-capitalist decolonial social justice.
She is an alumnus of PuSh Festival Youth Academy, Playwrights’ Theatre Centre’s Block A with Elaine Avila, Arts Club’s LEAP Playwrighting Intensive, and Vines Emerging Creatives with Vines Art Festival.
After ITI, she hopes to continue writing, performing and creating meaningful work in Singapore and internationally, rooted in the principles of intercultural theatre.
Krys is a recipient of the ITI Scholarship and Tan Chay Bing Education Fund Scholarship.
Lam Man Yik
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Lam Man Yik is a theatre practitioner from Hong Kong.
Prior to ITI, she trained at the Tang Shu-Wing Theatre Studio (2014-2015) and participated in 'The Vibrated Self' acting training programme from 2016-2021, conducted by ITI Acting teacher Andy Ng Wai-Shek in Hong Kong. Her credits span both theatre and screen; she performed in Hello Beckett (2017) and《溯吧！香港》(2019 Golden Sugarcane Film Festival).
To expand her knowledge she came to ITI. In 2022, she conducted the FUN! theatre workshop in collaboration with alumni Cheng Kam Yiu (Yolanda) and Sandeep Yadav at the Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, India.
Man Yik will continue her journey in exploring the different possibilities of artistic creation and developing her understanding of the world and oneself.
Man Yik is a recipient of the Tan Chay Bing Education Fund Scholarship and a beneficiary of the Möbius Fund, a revolving loan fund for actor-students.
About ITI
Intercultural Theatre Institute (ITI), based in Singapore, is a three-year, practice-based, professional actor training programme founded on a rigorous, intercultural learning methodology with a view to producing original, contemporary theatre.
The school began as the Theatre Training & Research Programme (TTRP), founded in 2000 by renowned dramatist Kuo Pao Kun (1939–2002) and current Director T. Sasitharan – both Cultural Medallion recipients. It is shaped by Kuo Pao Kun’s vision of intercultural learning that draws from a matrix of traditional theatre systems and modern theatre-making.
ITI’s distinguished alumni include Yeo Yann Yann, winner of two Golden Horse Awards for her performances in Wet Season and Ilo Ilo and International Emmy Award nominee for her role in Invisible Stories; Peter Sau, recipient of the 2011 Young Artist Award and several Life! Theatre Awards; Felimon Blanco, recipient of the 2013 Most Outstanding Zambosurian Award (Philippines); and Sankar Venkateswaran, recipient of the 2019 Shankar Nag Theatre Award, presented to theatre all-rounders under the age of 40 who embody the spirit of service to theatre in India.
Support ITI
ITI is an independent theatre school founded on the belief that theatre has little meaning if it is not connected to life and society. Through the years, ITI has developed critically and socially engaged artists who are capable of working across cultural, linguistic, social and national boundaries, and who have contributed meaningfully to their cultures and communities.
ITI is a registered charity and an approved Institution of Public Character (IPC), and more than 60% of its income has to come from fundraising. Donations to ITI are eligible for 250% tax exemption and dollar-to-dollar matching by the government’s Cultural Matching Fund.
Your donations will make a critical difference and support ITI in its seminal work.
“I was trained to be not only a good actor but also a better person. So to those who want to make a difference, please consider supporting a student in ITI and we will make this world a better place using the arts”
- Denise Mordeno Aguilar ‘14
Regina Foo ('17, Singapore) is a Singaporean artist-educator and associate artist at Access Path, an organisation that produces theatrical and cultural experiences that centre the narratives and talents of the marginalised. Her practice focuses on young children and adults with disabilities. She is also currently exploring projected play through puppetry. Regina leads the Participatory Drama programme under Access Path’s education and outreach platform, creating and conducting weekly workshops with the disabled community.
Lakshmana KP ('18, India) is a theatre and performance-maker whose work centres around events, people, and stories from the Dalit community, who are marginalised and stigmatised on the basis of caste in Karnataka, India. In March 2023, his play Daklakatha Devikavya, an original script written and performed in the Kannada language, was nominated for several categories including Best Original Script, Best Director and Best Production in the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) in New Delhi, India. He is a recipient of the Shankar Nag Theatre Award 2023.
Aaron Kaiser Garcia ('21, Philippines) is a performance-maker from the Philippines with a background in folk, contemporary dance, and theatre. His work explores the potentiality of the body to process and reveal the layered landscapes of the Filipino socio-political psyche, or actively counter political revisionism via choreography. Aaron is a member of the Executive Council of the National Committee on Dramatic Arts representing Eastern Visayas, and a contributing member of InITIate PH - a collective of ITI alumni offering theatre training, access to resources and knowledge to underserved communities in Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro and other areas.
Board of Directors
Chairman
Chairman
Mr Andrew Nai
Director at Aura Private Equity, Aura Group
Members
Members
Mr Arun Mahizhnan
Special Research Adviser, Institute of Policy Studies
Mr Chew Kheng Chuan
Independent consultant in philanthropy
Ms Winifred Loh
Director, LeadForte Consulting
Dr Nazry Bahrawi
Assistant Professor of Southeast Asian Literature and Culture, University of Washington
Ms Jean Tay
Playwright
Academic Board 2023–2026
Dr Frances Barbe
Lecturer and Associate Dean of Discipline: Performance, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
Prof Tadashi Uchino
Vice President and Professor, Department of Japanese Studies, Faculty of Intercultural Studies, Gakushuin Women’s College
Prof Richard Gough
Professor of Music and Performance, Faculty of Business and Creative Industries, University of South Wales
Artistic Director, Centre for Performance Research, Aberystwyth, Wales
Dr Nazry Bahrawi
Assistant Professor of Southeast Asian Literature and Culture, University of Washington
Examination Board 2023–2026
Mr Aarne Neeme, AM (Order of Australia)
Director and Educator
Assoc Prof Paul Rae
Head of School of Culture and Communication, University of Melbourne
Assoc Prof Noushad Mohamed Kunju
Faculty, Department of Theatre Arts, Sarojini Naidu School of Arts & Communication, University of Hyderabad
Mr Peter Sau
Head of Artistic Development, Performing Arts, ARTDIS Singapore
Mr Nelson Chia
Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Nine Years Theatre, Singapore
Dr Jane Gilmer
Independent theatre practitioner
Thank you for being a part of ITI’s journey
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