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PROGRAMME NOTE
BIRDS•UNSUNG

9 - 11 Nov 2023 | 10am, 1pm & 3pm | Drama Centre Black Box

What if birds no longer sing cuz all the forests are gone?

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What if birds no longer sing cuz all the forests are gone?

The annual Young People Environmental Dance-Theatre (YPED) returns to live theatre post-Covid and greets young audience with a solemn “what if” question.

 

The world came to an abrupt halt when Covid pandemic hit. But Nature got a badly needed reprieve. Birdsongs resounded everywhere while the cities were kept still. Now as the world revives from the pandemic, activities in logging, wildfires and fumes pollutants are back in full swing.

Would birdsong fall silence if their habitats are no more?

BIRDS•UNSUNG creates a performance with a child’s view of an apocalyptic world. The show thrusts the young audience among the “birds.” Audiences are to sit on the floor bordering the arena stage. The opening act has a dead tree log on the stage floor greeting the audience as they enter.  

 

But all is not lost. BIRDS•UNSUNG conjures up intriguing bird-characters from the Rainforest of Southeast Asia who utter their stories directly to the young audience. 

 

No conventional song and dance show to entertain the young, BIRDS•UNSUNG is a genuine performance to reach out to the young and seek their empathy. This should be most fitting for the future custodians who will get to decide on the fate of wildlife and planet Earth.  

PERFORMANCE COLLABORATORS

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THE ARTS FISSION COMPANY

As the longest incorporated contemporary dance company in Singapore since 1994, ARTS FISSION is a registered charitable organisation with IPC status. Throughout the past 25 years, ARTS FISSION has gathered a diverse and ground-breaking dance-making track record. Under the artistic direction of Cultural Medallion Recipient Angela Liong, ARTS FISSION has evolved into a dynamic dance hybrid that empowers its dance craft with works that are relevant to people and the everyday life.

The hallmark of ARTS FISSION’s performance is complex in concept with multi-disciplinary arts approach that often references the Asian cultures in contemporary context. The company has toured and presented dance work regionally and internationally. The dance hybrid approach not only delves into inquisitive dance work with creative fervour, but it also applies equal innovation to turn community outreach projects into richly human experience. ARTS FISSION designs a diverse range of movement-based proejcts to engage people of all ages.

The Arts Fission Company Ltd is supported by the National Arts Council under the Major Company Scheme for the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2026.

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化生艺术团简介  

化生艺术团是新加坡最早成立的当代舞蹈团。自 1994创团以来,化生艺术团创作了不少具有突破性的舞蹈作品。在文化奖得主艺术总监梁佩贤的领导下,化生艺术团跨越舞蹈传统表演范围, 与不同领域创意人合作,推扩舞蹈表演艺术, 为观众带来惊艳的剧场体验。至今,艺术总监梁佩贤仍然不断以创新的理念来带领艺术团隊迈进,孜孜不倦地创造以亚洲人文为基,与日常生活紧密衔接的艺术命题作品。化生艺术团也常被应邀到国际艺术节平台呈献作品演出。

这次的疫情带来生活操作巨变,也促使了化生艺术团转向全新创作管道,通过一系列科技及数码化的实验(如电影艺术及AR/VR 科技),以肢体语言为主,创造出新颖的舞蹈作品, 发展虚拟网上舞台。

化生艺术团的作品风格清新而不落俗套,更把不同文化与现代艺术思维融纳,以跨领域的理念态度, 来丰富舞蹈创作的过程。艺术团也是本地首个开拓特定场地 (site-specific) 概念创作的舞团。至今仍然活跃以特定场地形式呈献舞蹈演出,为非剧场观众的普通人仕,以艺术带来日常生活里的惊喜。

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Dr Zechariah Goh Toh Chai 吴多才

Zechariah Goh Toh Chai writes music ranging from choir, symphonic band, wind ensemble, chamber music to large scale orchestral works. He often fuses Southeast Asian-Chinese tradition and that of Western European musical practices with cultural sensitivity in his music creations.     

He received the David and Gunda Hiebert Scholarship in 1999 to study for a Master in Piano and later Doctorate in Composition, both degrees at the University of Kansas. While studying in Kansas, United States, he was also awarded the prestigious Anthony Cius Prize for outstanding student composer for the academic year of 2001 and 2002. In his early music study days, Toh Chai received close tutelage from many well-known Singapore pioneer composers and musicians like Pianist Ong Lip Tat, Composers Leong Yoon Pin and Phoon Yew Tien.

 

Toh Chai receives frequent commissions to write music for symphonic bands and choirs. He is also an active speaker at international music conferences such as WASBE, ISME, APSME. He is now senior lecturer at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, specializing in Composition, Orchestration, Aural and Sight Singing, and Choir.

For his artistic excellence in the field of music, Zechariah was conferred the Young Artist Award (Music) in September 2003 by the National Arts Council, Singapore. The award was presented by the President of the Republic of Singapore at Istana.

The Arts Fission Company Ltd is supported by the National Arts Council under the Major Company Scheme for the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2026.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Concept and Artistic Direction
Angela Liong

Composition and Music Direction
Zechariah Goh Toh Chai

Choreography & Performance
ARTS FISSION DANCERS:
Aisha Polestico
Andine Elaina
Marveen Lozano
Adly Azizi
Delia Tan
Khachonkitsol Sakda (guest performer)

Musicians from REVERBERANCE

Intergenerational Performers
Young Fission Benefit and Children from Kidz Hideout Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre
Seniors members from NTUC Health Senior Activity Centre (Boon Lay)

Installation Design
Michael Loke

Costume Design
Atelier Fission
Lighting Coordinator
Ali Bin Mazrin

Audio Coordinator
Joel Fernandez

EDM Visual Design
Joyce Ng


Production Manager
Lee Xinzhi
Production Assistant
Chia Yin, Sammi

Videography 
Interfilm Productions

Photography
Koh Beng Chye

Front of House
Aqidah Othman (Office Manager)
Lee Jia Jing (Project Manager)
Aaron Goh (Intern)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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ARTS FISSION would like to express our thanks to the following individuals and organisations for assistance and support to the production : 
 
  • Venue Partners Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre
  • National Parks Board
  • NTUC Health Senior Activity Centre (Boon Lay)
Special thanks to Minister of National Development, Mr Desmond Lee

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CONTACT US

126 Cairnhill Rd, Cairnhill Arts Centre #01-07/09 &

#03-03/04 S229707

+65 6238 6469

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©2024 The Arts Fission Company Ltd

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