THONG
PEI QIN
HELLO I'M P.Q. &
I LOVE MAKING THEATRE.
Mind
your
P's & Q's?
ABOUT
About Me
A Singaporean theatre director with an amiable, outgoing personality, and a zest for spinning adventurous stories, I strive to constantly push my creative boundaries with fellow collaborators while remaining inclusive and accessible to audiences.
Committed to a life-long process of telling stories with critical social relevance, and developing new theatre methods with fresh approaches and perspectives, I wish to immerse both performers and audiences in visceral, heartfelt and truthful experiences. My interests lie in creating multi-disciplinary, site-specific and experiential theatre.
I also aspire to continually engage and train in theatre workshops, and to educate the following generations in a fun and safe environment. Most of all, I dream of more opportunities to be created for those who may not have easy access to the arts to enjoy and participate in the creative process.
What I've Done
My love for stagecraft led me to attend East 15 Acting School (University of Essex) in London, and GITIS Russian University of Theatre Arts in Moscow, graduating with Distinctions for my Master of Arts degree in Theatre Directing (2013). Prior to that, I have also completed my Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree majoring in Theatre Studies at the National University of Singapore.
I have since realised my directorial vision mainly through various physical theatre and improvisational methods with artists from different parts of the world. Between 2008 and 2012, I have also led and self-funded a non-profit youth theatre platform, Thespis, and showcased one of our fully devised works to sold-out shows on the Singapore Arts Festival 2011.
Having worked with several arts companies including TheatreWorks, The Theatre Practice, Singapore Repertory Theatre, W!LD RICE, The Finger Players, Nine Years Theatre,
spell#7 and The Necessary Stage amongst others, I dabbled professionally in programming,
marketing, stage managing, running arts education initiatives, and almost everywhere in between.
Moving Ahead
An advocate of youth arts and education, I was also an arts manager for the youth community under the National Arts Council of Singapore from
2010 to 2013, reaching out to students through
giving talks in schools; creating policies, resources and new grant schemes such as
Pocket Rocket (currently known as Matchbox) for young artists; as well as the Seed Grant for budding arts companies.
Currently, besides freelancing independently in the theatre industry, conceptualising new performances and training methods, I am also teaching practical theatre skills to varsity students of the National Institute of Education (Visual and Performing Arts) and the Theatre Studies programme at the National University of Singapore, as well as students in other public schools.
I am open to new ideas for potential collaboration from creative individuals and art educators, and can be reached for discussions through email below.
View Résumé
DIRECTING
PORTFOLIO
Exquisite Monster (2022) is a reflexive, cross-disciplinary devising process using themes of conception and femaleness inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The project by this Singaporean collective (Thong Pei Qin, Pat Toh Ling and Joanne Ho) is a process-driven devising method, beginning with the artists’ reflection of their own practice as creators. Exquisite Monster is interested in the relationship between creator and creation across multiple and diverse perspectives.
"Mine" 26-28 Nov 2020 The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre @ WILD RICE Written by: Tan Suet Lee Directed by: Thong Pei Qin Cast: Chanel Chan and Karen Tan
Super Mermaid saves the day for the umpteenth time, and the city rejoices. Yet she receives a state pension letter from Chairman Chong, forcing her to retire from her superhero duties. When a national monument is erected in Super Mermaid’s honour, and an honorary pageant party thrown to celebrate her impending retirement, fans of Super Mermaid flock to this special occasion to catch a glimpse of their heroine’s statue. But do they even know what she really looks like?
Creators Thong Pei Qin and Nidya Shanthini Manokara embark on a journey to weave together the collective stories, oral histories and shared heritage of Kampong Bugis. The two friends, having fallen prey to the dreaded Aedes mosquito and shared the same virus-infected blood, are curious about the kinds of connections which bind people of diverse origins and cultures, beyond blood relation. Incidentally, both the creators’ grandparents used to live within the vicinity of Kampong Bugis.
Singapore Theatre Festival 2018 by W!LD RICE Written by: Neo Hai Bin Directed by: Thong Pei Qin Cast: Joshua Lim & Joel Low Lighting Designer: Liu Yong Huay Sound Designer: Daniel Wong Hair Designer/ Stylist: Ashley Lim Make-up Designer: The Make Up Room Production Manager: Pebble Tan Stage Manager: Abel Koh Producer: Tony Trickett
An army of quirky characters, as colourful as the assortment of ladies’ high heels they brandish, questions female transgressions, aggressions and negotiations within a patriarchal society. Step Outta Line is a rich collage of texts adapted from prolific playwright Ovidia Yu's selected writings, layered with movement, soundscapes and visuals. Director: Thong Pei Qin Sound & Set Designer: Jing Ng Lighting Designer: Genevieve Peck Costume Designer: Loo An Ni
Follow the journey of a young girl Sam and her adopted cat Maxx as they encounter different creatures in an exciting series of adventures and misfortunes. Constantly getting on each other’s nerves, will Sam and Maxx finally earn each other’s trust and loyalty? Commissioned by: Arts in Your Neighbourhood Produced by: The Finger Players Directed by: Thong Pei Qin Puppeteers: Myra Loke & Al-Matin Yatim
Devised by NUS Theatre Studies, Class of 2017 29-31 March 2017 Yale-NUS Blackbox Directed by Thong Pei Qin Asst. Directors: Perry Shen, Cordelia Lee Produced by Nora Samosir Dramaturgy: Michael Ng, Kenneth Chia, HuiLing Chang Choreographer: Cheryl Wee Set Design: Teresa Chen, Jason Ng Props Design: Pearl Wee Multimedia: Nicholas Tan Lighting: Christer Jon Aplin Sound: Fadhil Daud Hair and Makeup: Nikki Lim, Kenneth Chia Costume: Nikki Lim Stage Manager: Eugene Koh Lighting Operator: Shu Yu
Inspired by the common experience of having fallen prey to the dreaded Aedes mosquito, Pei Qin and Shanthini share their vivid musings of the journey whilst raging against the relentless dengue virus inside the body. "Bitten" features devised text and physical movement with a spin on Bharata Natyam. Co-writers and Performers: Nidya Shanthini Manokara & Thong Pei Qin Director & Producer: Thong Pei Qin Showcased on: M1 Fringe Festival's Fresh Fringe, Jan 2017 (Singapore)
"State of Mind" is a collection of four short plays about ordinary people living with mental conditions. What do Whitney Houston, hoarder auntie, Barbie-wannabe & Ah Boy have in common? Directed by Thong Pei Qin Starring Karen Tan, Yeo Yann Yann, Andrew MarkO, Leianne Tan Written by Jean Tay ("Skin Deep"), Dora Tan ("Sadness is the New Normal"), Tan Suet Lee ("The Weight of Emptiness") & Jacke Chye ("The Greatest Love of All") 26-29 Oct 2016, The Arts House Singapore
Between Consciousness by TheatreWorks in partnership with South East CDC 25 Feb to 19 March 2016 A father struggles with his child who has autism, and other people's ignorance. A son, oblivious to how others view him, creates a fantastical world of his wildest imagination. Playwright: Isaac Lim Director: Thong Pei Qin Stage Manager: Natasha May Cast: Al-Matin Yatim & Ivan Lim Set Designer: Gerald Leow Lighting Designer: Stephen Kwek Stagehand: Megan Sin
NOTHING by The Finger Players Watch This Space (Directors' Cycle) Centre 42 24 June 2015, 8PM Playwright: Natalie Hennedige Director: Thong Pei Qin Director Mentor: Tze Chien Chong Production Manager: Lam Dan Fong Stage Manager: Azyy Aliaas Cast: Ang Hui Bin, Farah Ong, Ghazali Muzakir and Tay Kong Hui Lighting Designer: Genevieve Peck Set Designer: Silei Chan Sound Designer: Jing Ng Props & Headgear Designer: Daniel Sim Make-up Designer: Jolene Kong Photographer: Bernie Ng
A splicing together of three plays "Boom" and "Everything but the Brain" by Jean Tay and "The Car" by Verena Tay, performed by Amanda Tee, Andy Pang, Ghazali Muzakir, Michael Cheng and Tan Beng Tian, at The Esplanade Recital Studio, Singapore. Presented by The Esplanade : fifty Studio team. Designation: Director Date: 10 Apr, Fri, 7.30pm Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio Photo Credit: Esplanade Presents The Studios
A monologue by Ovidia Yu, performed by Neo Hai Bin, at Centre 42, Singapore. Presented and produced by The Finger Players' Watch This Space (Directors' Cycle). Designation: Director
A production of "Ernie's Incredible Illucinations" by Alan Ayckbourn, with 50 performers of Faust International Youth Theatre, aged 4 to 16 years old, at the Play Den of The Arts House in Singapore, June 2014. (Designation: Director-Teacher)
A presentation of "Ali Baba & The Forty Thieves" adapted by Dominic Cooke, with the children of Faust International Youth Theatre, aged 7 to 11 years old, at the Goodman Arts Centre in Singapore, March 2014. (Designation: Director-Teacher) Cast: Kelly Loo, Austin Gill, Saloni Gore, Hillary Haniuda, Aanya Luthra, Shashwat Manish, Ren Mildenberg & Sophie Powell
An East 15 public ticketed production of “Making Stalin Laugh” was staged from 23 to 25 May 2013 at the Tristan Bates Theatre of London's West End. (Designation: Assistant Director) Director: Matthew Lloyd (Artistic Director of The Actors Centre) Playwright: David Schneider Cast: Micah Goodding, Han Jun Cho, Owen Clark, Shannon Howes, Marc Hem Lee, Ziyun Hong & Ana-Maria Bandean
Staged as a series of Anton Chekhov's works in February 2013 at the GITIS Russian University of Theatre Arts, Moscow. (Designation: Director of "The Bear" by Anton Chekhov) Cast: Amy Wicks & William Davis
Presented as part of the Samuel Beckett series in January 2013 at the New Building of East 15 Acting School. (Designation: Director of "Come and Go" by Samuel Beckett) Cast: Benjamin Hunt, John Paterson & Susan Shreeve
Staged as a series of Shakespeare's works in October 2012 at the Rhoding House, London. (Designation: Director of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare) Cast: Stewart Agnew, Jennifer Kondol, Nadia Lamin, Ceri Rose & Jodie McGregor
Rumour has it Joan is a witch, living in a house made out of baked goods. One day H and G seek her out, and also make some accidental discoveries about themselves, with the help of three talking wooden stakes and a pitchfork mob. This piece of original new work was staged for Urban Kulit’s Type&Casted platform at The Pigeonhole on 16 August 2012. (Designation: Director) Playwright: Michelle Tan Cast: Ng Yuhui, Lynn Yang, Wu Yahui, Dawn Tan, Khairul Nizam & Ruzaini Mazani
A shadow puppetry play adapted from Suzy Lee's illustration book for children entitled, "Shadow", presented for the children of St. Hilda Community Services by the staff of the National Arts Council (Singapore) who are also musicians, visual artists and actors. (Designation: Director) Cast: Ng Xijie, Angela Tan, Dawn Tan, Lynn Yang & Ng Yuhui Musicians: Sarah Ismail, Sandy Teo, Ian Tan, Kok Tse Wei & Max Cheng
Singapore Arts Festival 2011's public ticketed production of a fully devised promenade theatre piece, “Re: Almost Left Behind”, staged within the entire building of The Substation from 27 to 28 May 2011, produced by Thespis with 13 artist-collaborators. (Designation: Director) Producer: Isaac Sim Co-Director: Tan Liting Cast: Andrea Ang, Amitha Pagolu, Chong Woon Yong, Darius Sim, Dawn Tan, Esther Ng, Lim Xiuyun, Liyana Soh, Lum En-Ci, Lynn Yang, Ng Xijie, Ng Yuhui & Pamela Tham
Part 2 (second showing) of a 9-month process devising an original piece of promenade theatre with 13 young artists on 12 March for the Singapore Arts Festival 2011, staged throughout the entire building of the National University of Singapore Alumni House. (Designation: Director) Producer: Isaac Sim Co-Director: Tan Liting Cast: Andrea Ang, Amitha Pagolu, Chong Woon Yong, Darius Sim, Dawn Tan, Esther Ng, Lim Xiuyun, Liyana Soh, Lum En-Ci, Lynn Yang, Ng Xijie, Ng Yuhui & Pamela Tham