I’m not an actor - why do theatre?

Now that Split Theatre has specified how we are focussing on the craft of theatre-making, does that mean that we are leaving “the work on the self” behind? Why should a non-actor care about honing such a craft? Why can’t we just “have fun”?

There is definitely a place for the use of theatre games for bonding and teambuilding with family, friends, and colleagues. There is also a place for the specific use of theatre activities to learn how to express one’s self more freely, to “rehearse for life”, to learn communication or relational skills, or to process certain thoughts and emotions (like in dramatherapy). Split’s approach is, however, quite different. We are helping participants to hone the craft of theatre-making because we believe that in developing a skill to a high level, we learn a lot about ourselves, including our beliefs and our values, and we get plenty of opportunities to broaden our perspectives on things.

At this point, an attentive reader would likely realise that the development of any skill to a high level will achieve similar aims, because what you are essentially doing is to first look at a particular standard set by society (for singing, it might be the ability to hold a tune; for calisthenics, it might be the ability to hold a handstand; for dance, it might be the ability to execute a choreography with style; and for business development, it might be getting your company listed publicly).

Thereafter, through a series of learning cycles, you gradually produce objective proof that you have reached that standard, so that society sees it and recognises that you have indeed mastered the craft/skill. Getting through the series of learning cycles can be tough because it’s not merely about blind repetition or about adamantly insisting that you are already good enough. On the contrary, it’s about constantly getting feedback from society, and in response, adjusting your values / beliefs / perspectives / execution / goals, so that the practice of your craft incorporates your new realisations about society, about yourself and about what you are doing.

For Split, we focus on the craft of theatre-making because theatre provides participants (and ourselves) with the opportunity to create our unique voices/places in society. Week after week, participants will be given opportunities to create something uniquely theirs and to receive real time feedback from their fellow participants about their creation. It’s not simply about putting a pen on the floor in the studio and calling it “art”, because the creator (ie you) will have to provide personal justification for your creation. You’ll have to learn to communicate who you are and what you are doing to the people around you.

These days, it’s easy to leave an anonymous comment online without the obligation to justify or defend your stance. In Split, we are not keen to do that — we are not keen to just “create unrest by ranting or expressing discontent”. Theatre is about the relation between the actor who communicates responsibly and the spectator who watches/listens. It is about the actor or the human being who is open to listening, to adjusting, and to transforming the self. It is about the person who co-creates with society, and in that process, establishes their unique place in society.

Keen to join us? We are starting our Level One Modules on 5th October, 3pm, at 169 Joo Chiat Road. Registration closes on 4th October!