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Crossroads 2006
Inspired by the
empowering ethos of The Magdalena Project which fosters powerful theatre
worldwide through sharing ideas, expertise and theatre-craft among
women, Magdalena (Singapore) hosted an international women's
contemporary theatre festival in Singapore from 9—15
July 2006, Crossroads 2006: Women Connecting ~ Women Transforming. This was the first
time that a Magdalena festival was held in Asia.
Vision Statement
To
inspire and empower Asian women to articulate their visions, passions
and stories through theatre and the performing arts
Theme
In the
globalised
environment of the 21st century, and in view of current world events, it
is more urgent than ever to promote cross-cultural dialogue and deepen
our understanding of our shared humanity. Theatre artists have long
recognised that theatre is a powerful tool that can connect people and
inspire them to transform their lives and society.
The
'Crossroads' theme of the festival reflects these interests and needs,
and acknowledges Singapore's unique situation as a multicultural
society at the geographical, social and cultural crossroads between the
East and West.
What Made Crossroads 2006 Unique
Crossroads 2006
was
unlike other festivals currently held in Singapore (such as the annual
Singapore Arts Festival). It emphasised the connection between theatre
artists and audiences, between theatre and community, and between
artist-and-artist. It asked its audiences to participate actively. It was
a festival which had activities tailored for the ordinary audience
and the specialised theatre practitioner.
In
addition,
unlike current Singaporean festivals which simply present a series of
productions in different venues, Crossroads 2006 comprised not
just theatre performances but included workshops in theatre-craft,
forums, artists' work demonstration sessions, and community arts
programmes involving the general public, women's groups and youths.
Aims of
Crossroads 2006
● Inspire
Singapore theatre artists, particularly women theatre artists, to create
and produce more powerful and original theatre works that are rooted in
our culture.
● Enable
Singapore theatre artists to enrich their theatre skills through
interaction and workshops with accomplished theatre artists from Asia
and around the world.
● Inspire
young Singaporeans and the general public to express their own voices
through theatre and the creative arts.
● Promote
dialogue, networking and understanding among women theatre artists from
Singapore, Asia and around the world.
● Showcase
the accomplishments of Singapore and Asian women theatre artists and
their distinctive cultures, and introduce the work of younger theatre
artists to experienced directors and artists from around the world.
● Celebrate
the empowering aspects of theatre and its capacity to bring communities
together.
● Show
that everyone can be an active participant in arts and cultural
activities, and make a difference in their own and others' lives through
the
Project Joy concerts.
Highlights of Crossroads 2006
● Total
number of participants: 85 (43 from 16 countries, 42 from Singapore)
● Estimated
total audience numbers: 2200
● Number
of paid technical crew: 3
● Number
of volunteers: 60
● The
overseas participants came from
Australia, India,
Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Puerto
Rico, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the USA, and Wales.
● Types
of events:
- 6
evening performances by Wu Wen Cui (Taiwan); Geddy Aniksdal & Anette
Rode (Norway); Cristina Castrillo (Switzerland); Anita Ratnam (India);
Kerensa Dewantaro (Australia/Indonesia); Elizabeth de Roza, Koh Leng
Leng & Low Yuen Wei (Singapore)
- 12
work presentations by Ang Gey Pin (Singapore); Jocelyn Chua, Li Xie, Tan
Suet Lee & Jean Tay (Singapore); Rob Baum (USA/Australia); Rosa Casado
(Spain); Luh Luwih (Bali); Indija Mahjoeddin (Australia/Indonesia); Rita
Matu Mona (Indonesia); Mak Yong performance (Malaysia) facilitated by
Zulkifli Mohamed; Mime Unlimited (Singapore); Noorlinah Mohamed
(Singapore) & Claire Wong (Singapore/Malaysia); Philippine Educational
Theater Association; Anna Yen (Australia).
- 11
workshops by Geddy Aniksdal (Norway); Rob Baum (USA/Australia); Cristina
Castrillo & Bruna Gusberti (Switzerland); Ananya Chatterjee (India/USA);
Jadranka Andjelic (Serbia) & Antonella Diana (Italy); Jill Greenhalgh
(Wales); Luh Luwih (Bali); Mak Yong workshop facilitated by Zulkifli
Mohamed (Malaysia); Raka Maitra (India); Joanna Wong (Singapore); Anna
Yen (Australia).
- 1
photo exhibition by Yani Mae (Indonesia)
- 1
talk by Jill Greenhalgh (Wales)
- 2
forum discussions
- Project
Joy:
a youth/community programme that comprised a 2-month long mentorship
programme for 36 Republic Polytechnic students; a 2-week long
mask-and-costume workshop and performance for 9 youths from The
Salvation Army’s Gracehaven by Deborah Hunt (Puerto Rico) and Sally
Rodwell (New Zealand); and two community concerts, at the National
Museum and Woodlands Community Centre featuring a total of 100 artists.
● Festival
venues:
- The
Substation (theatre, gallery, dance studio, foyer)
- National
Museum of Singapore (theatre, meeting rooms, rotunda, forecourt, vacant
restaurant space)
- The
Esplanade Theatre Studio
- The
Arts House (Play Den, The Chamber)
- LASALLE-SIA
College of the Arts (classrooms)
● Press
coverage included:
- The
Straits Times
(a pre-festival article, a mention in another article before the
festival, and two reviews)
- Today
(a two-page interview with Verena Tay, President of Magdalena
(Singapore) )
- The
Business Times
(pre-festival article)
- Live
interviews with festival artists/organizers on Newsradio
- Live
interview with festival artist on Channel News Asia
- A
‘highlight’ article in I-S entertainment magazine
- A
prominent listing in The Sunday Times’ ‘What’s On’ with two
colour photographs of the festival.
- Other
listings published in Arts Explosion, The Straits Times’
daily ‘What’s On’, and SISTIC’s monthly diary publication
● Types
and exposure of print collaterals (reaching an estimated 30,000 people)
included:
- Over
8,000 brochures were distributed to the public at SISTIC outlets,
theatre venues, and by mail.
- Email
publicity campaign reached over 5,000 people directly.
- A
prominent banner on the façade of The Substation for 10 days was seen by
thousands more passers-by (estimated 10,000 to 20,000). There was
another banner on the fence of the National Museum.
- The
festival show at the Esplanade, The Red Room, also had a large
poster prominently displayed at the Esplanade.
- The
Red Room
was also carried in the Esplanade ‘Studio Season’ brochure published in
late June.
- The
Substation’s July-August 2006 What’s On brochure (distribution
3,000) also carried a prominent listing of the festival.
Sponsorship
For
Crossroads 2006, Magdalena (Singapore) received the following
kind support:
● Cash
Sponsorship:
- Grants
were given by National Arts Council, Hong Leong Foundation, Lee
Foundation and Central Singapore Community Development Council.
- Additional
cash sponsorship was given by the Australian High Commission for the
show The Red Room by Kerensa Dewantoro and the film Chinese
Take Away by Anna Yen, both Australian artists.
- Advertisement
sales from the Health Promotion Board’s Get Fresh non-smoking campaign,
Great Eastern Life, and Singapore Heart Foundation were secured.
- Project
Joy
was supported by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports' SHINE youth festival.
● In-kind
Sponsorship:
- In-kind
sponsorship was given by all the venues: the Esplanade, The Arts House,
The Substation, the National Museum, LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts.
Technicians’ fees had to be paid to The Substation and The Arts House
(but venue use was free).
- Additional
substantial corporate sponsorships were given in-kind by Pokka Drinks,
Polar Mineral Water, discount given by the caterer who provided all the
daily meals at the festival, discounted bus rental, and discounted hotel
rates from Fragrance Hotel.
- Jet
Airways sponsored the air ticket for an artist travelling from Chennai.
- In-kind
sponsorship was also given by Make, who designed the publicity
collaterals.
● Foreign
Grants:
- Some
of the visiting artists also received grants from their arts
councils—these included the Swiss arts council Pro Helvetia, the
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Taipei City government, the
New Zealand Arts Council. The Rockefeller Foundation funded the travel
and participation costs of three Thai theatre artists.
● Other
support:
- The
ARTS Fund and National Youth Council also supported Crossroads 2006
by direct sponsorship for Palette of Desires, the Singapore
production in the festival. |
