Theatre, Dance, Talk/Workshop

The Mekar Programme – A Conversation with Artists in Disruption

Organised by: artseen & Bhumi Collective
  • Date:
    6 Sep 2020
  • Time:
    2:00pm
  • Duration:
    1.5h
  • Venue:
    Facebook Live
    Facebook LiveFacebook Live
  • Admission:
    Free

Synopsis:

What goes into the minds of artists when creating a performance? How has the pandemic affected the creative process and practice of artists from the performing arts? Join us for an online panel discussion by our artists from the Mekar Programme to find out more! The session will feature the artists' works-in-progress and their thoughts on the performance development journey over the past months of residency amidst the global health crisis.

About the Mekar Programme
The Mekar Programme is a pilot performance development programme jointly organized by artseen and Bhumi Collective. It serves as a space for budding artists to develop a performance work in the library, and for the public to engage with how new ideas for the stage are formed, workshopped and developed. The resulting works from this programme are works-in-progress with the potential to be produced as a full show. The artists in The Mekar Programme are mentored by Bhumi Collective and other arts practitioners.

About the Speakers

Mohamad Shaifulbahri is a Joint Artistic Director of Bhumi Collective, theatre producer and arts educator. Up till recently, he was based in London where he obtained an MA in Creative Producing at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and is a recipient of the Goh Chok Tong Youth Promise Award (Distinction) 2015. He is also a TEDx Speaker having spoken at TEDxRoyalCentralSchool on the topic, "Diversifying, Diversity, Tomorrow's Theatre Today" in 2017.

Maybelle Lek is a movement artist. Being the youngest in her family, she has always been a curious dreamer. Maybelle embarked on her dance pursuit in London, and graduated with a Master's Degree in 2017. She has performed in over 25 venues around the UK, EU and Singapore. Her artistic practice embraces empathy, accessibility and authenticity.

Shaw En is a dance artist, who dances for Richard Chappell Dance and P7:1SMA. She is currently growing her artistic practice with the creation of a new work- Nimbus Passing, and also being actively engaged with the local community with movement and dance.

Zunnur Zhafirah is a movement artist who is currently a dancer with Hofesh Shechter Company (UK) and an associate artist of Bhumi Collective. She is also nurturing her seeds in choreography and collaborations such as the recent M1 CONTACT Contemporary Dance Festival 2019.

Syania Shaharuddin was exposed to various forms of traditional arts such as Wayang Kulit, Chinese Opera and Shakespearean Theatre from the age of 3. As she grows older, she becomes passionate about highlighting social issues in her works. This interest was sparked when she first joined Beyond Social Services as a community theatre facilitator, and participated in a production that centers on the topic of poverty in Singapore. She believes that theatre should be a cathartic and individualistic process.

Tan Hui Er is interested in creating works that explore the intersections of different forms of storytelling. Her latest performing credits include Transition Room (Toy Factory, 2019) and In the Silence of Your Heart (Esplanade The Studios, 2018). She is also a co-founder of Not Safe for TV (@nsftv), an online visual magazine for experimental video content.

Victoria Chen loves stories and prefers borrowing books over buying them. As such, libraries have played a huge part in shaping the person she is and the work she does. Victoria is a theatre-maker and performer, and aims to bring people together through shared experiences. Find out more at www.victoriachen.co.uk

The Mekar Programme – A Conversation with Artists in Disruption


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