05 May 2025

Back to Archive

The theme underpinning the activities of the first day of the student exchange workshop at LASALLE was ‘Mapping the Environment'. By contextualising the relationship between performance and the environment, the participants began with dramatised readings of plays. The table read of Paquet’s The Weight of Ants and the workshop centred around Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya highlighted the themes surrounding environmental protection and its timeless nature. Transitioning from text to movement, the double bill, A Drop Away / Shaping Change (Dust to Dust), were site-specific responses to the current climate crisis, particularly in relation to Singapore. These served as the foundation for the participants’ exploration in the coming week.

LASALLE College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore

Welcome Address / Ice Breaker

Table Read -The Weight of Ants

Beyond the Words in Chekhov’s Universe

Double Bill - A Drop Away / Shaping Change (Dust to Dust)

Performance and Provocation

LASALLE College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore

Welcome Address / Ice Breaker

Play as Connection

The conference opened with bubbling excitement as participants from conference partners, LASALLE College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore (LASALLE), National University of Theatre and Film I.L. Caragiale (UNATC), Bucharest, and University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), and guests from Chulalongkorn University (CU), Bangkok, Flinders University (Flinders), Adelaide, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Srinakharinwirot University (SWU), Bangkok, gathered for the first time. Dean, Faculty of Performing Arts, Professor Leon Rubin shared a vision for the conference: To spark conversations about how small actions can create meaningful global impact, as nothing is more important than saving the world we live in. Aligned with the Performance and the Environment theme, the session highlighted human connection as a vital resource. Icebreakers turned strangers into teammates, reminding us that play creates space for listening, trust, and responsiveness. As Artiste Liaison Aidil shared, “Play is what brings down the wall”, where creativity and collaboration begin.

Table Read -The Weight of Ants

Confronting Environmental Crisis and Human Connection through Absurdist Theatre: A Study of Weight of Ants

The conference's activities begin with a welcoming student-led production of David Paquet's Weight of Ants. This absurd satire highlights two teenagers and their navigation of our messy world amidst increasing commercialisation and distractions from key issues surrounding our planet's survival. By incorporating audience participation and striking images about our planet's deterioration, the audience were guided through a journey filled with laughter and sensitive moments. This prompted reflection regarding one's actual contribution towards environmental conservation, and the lengths to which we distract ourselves from the severity of the issue. Ultimately, the participants realised that having empathy and forging genuine connections are required to move forward and tackle this seemingly herculean task.

Beyond the Words in Chekhov’s Universe

Exploring Psychological Realism and Self-Awareness in Acting through Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya

Conducted by Alexandru Pavel, the eager participants explored the universe of Chekov's Uncle Vanya to learn about psychological realism. The play features Dr Astrov, a nature enthusiast who serves as a voice for the environment and highlights humanity's relationship with nature. The storm featured in Act 2 mirrors the inner turbulence of the characters, paralleling Pavel's comment on how learning acting requires learning one's self and embracing one's internal environment. Through a series of exercises and readings of excerpts, the participants understood the importance of reframing their impression of acting into listening, thinking and responding to truly “be in the moment”.

Double Bill - A Drop Away / Shaping Change (Dust to Dust)

Performance and Provocation

Treading the Line Between Art and Advocacy: A Drop Away and Shaping Change (Dust to Dust) Confront Climate Through Performance

Transformed from a campus into a site of ecological conversation, the audience gathered for a powerful double bill. The dance film, A Drop Away, explores the urgent issue of water scarcity and its impact on Singapore. By using movement to reflect the tension between land and water, it aims to raise public awareness of the nation’s water security challenges and highlights how art can go beyond aesthetics to inspire meaningful environmental advocacy. In contrast, Shaping Change (Dust to Dust) took a grounded, tactile approach. Set against the campus car park, performers manipulated clay and earth, evoking childhood recollections and cultural ancestry. Ultimately, both works asked a simple but urgent question – How can we shape change before it’s too late?