Checkpoint Theatre

THE SHAHID NASHEER MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP AT CHECKPOINT THEATRE In 2025, Checkpoint Theatre will launch the Shahid Nasheer Memorial Fellowship, a yearlong, paid residency and traineeship programme to support one early-career theatremaker looking to elevate their skills and hone their artistic vision. This Fellowship is created in memory of Checkpoint Theatre’s collaborator and friend Shahid Nasheer (1996-2024), who believed strongly in the importance of holistic development as theatremakers, and in uplifting fellow artists. The Shahid Nasheer Memorial Fellowship is supported by generous donations from Shahid’s family and friends, and from other donors. Checkpoint Theatre welcomes donations to support the Fellowship. Please write to giving@checkpoint-theatre.org if you would like more details on how to donate. ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP Fellows will be given the time, opportunity and space to develop their theatremaking knowledge and skills. They will receive close mentorship from Joint Artistic Directors Claire Wong and Huzir Sulaiman in writing, performing, directing, dramaturgy, and producing, as well as gain invaluable insights into Checkpoint Theatre’s renowned play development process. Fellows will receive hands-on training and experience by assisting with the direction and dramaturgy of productions. Should they wish to write or devise their own work, Checkpoint Theatre will mentor, advise, and assist with the dramaturgy of that work. At the end of their tenure, Fellows may also be invited to join Checkpoint Theatre’s Associate Artists, indicating the company’s ongoing commitment to their artistic development and opportunities. A gross stipend of SGD 35,000 (including all CPF contributions as applicable) will be paid for the year. ELIGIBILITY The Shahid Nasheer Memorial Fellowship is open to Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents with 2 to 7 years professional experience in theatre. The Fellowship period is from 1 June 2025 to 31 May 2026. A full-time commitment is expected. No other major work or study commitments should be undertaken during the period of the Fellowship. Any pre-existing project commitments at the time of application should be disclosed, and should not amount to more than 6 weeks work in the course of the 12 months. [Continued in Comments.]

A huge thank you to everyone who caught our 2024 Season productions — SECONDARY: THE MUSICAL, PLAYING WITH FIRE, and HARD MODE! We’ve been blown away by all the love you’ve shown them, and we’ve had so many people tell us that they’d watched the entire season! We’re immensely grateful for your support of the original Singapore stories we tell at Checkpoint Theatre, and for recognising the hard work that goes into creating each piece of homegrown world-class theatre. We’ve got an incredible 2025 Season coming up, and we need your help to make it another smashing success! Please donate to our Checkpoint Celebrates! 2024 fundraiser at https://lnkd.in/gUFATZuy , to allow us to tell more original Singapore stories with the craft, care, and excellence that you know and love our works for. Every bit of support counts, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to the theatre soon 🧡

A huge thank you to everyone who caught our 2024 Season productions — SECONDARY: THE MUSICAL, PLAYING WITH FIRE, and HARD MODE! We’ve been blown away by all the love you’ve shown them, and we’ve had so many people tell us that they’d watched the entire season! We’re immensely grateful for your support of the original Singapore stories we tell at Checkpoint Theatre, and for recognising the hard work that goes into creating each piece of homegrown world-class theatre. We’ve got an incredible 2025 Season coming up, and we need your help to make it another smashing success! Please donate to our Checkpoint Celebrates! 2024 fundraiser at https://lnkd.in/gUFATZuy , to allow us to tell more original Singapore stories with the craft, care, and excellence that you know and love our works for. Every bit of support counts, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to the theatre soon 🧡

Thank you Clement Yong of The Straits Times for the glowing review of HARD MODE! “Playwright Faith Ng takes myriad teenage drama and turns it into nuanced elegy in HARD MODE, Checkpoint Theatre’s effort at taking Gen Zs and Gen Alphas seriously on their own terms… that manages to repeatedly bring fresh tears into the audience’s eyes with just a few lines of incisive dialogue, occupying that sincere tonal space that opens up access to memories of what it was like to be young for even those at some distance from teenage-hood. “Friendships – in particular male ones – shy love, sibling dynamics and school bullying – none of these are deemed too childish or too trivial to be given full-fledged treatment in a three-part, moveable set beautifully designed and lit by Petrina Dawn Tan, and which elicited wows from the participatory, youthful audience when it first emerged from the darkness. “The protagonist, loosely speaking, is Adam, played by Chaney Chia with a lot of charisma… [The characters’ interactions] are topped up with some choice fourth wall breaks, time skips and a reality distortion ably directed by Claire Wong; the audience is put through a comical whiplash as each heavier scene snaps mercilessly into an upbeat BTS music score. ““[W]hen a character, in a moment of frustration, bid another “grow up”, this reviewer could not help but immediately think: “Yes, for sure, but not so fast.”” “HARD MODE shows there are rich grounds to be mined within the stories of youth. One has a feeling that after this drop, there will come a deluge.” Watch the new groundbreaking play youths, parents, and everyone in between are raving about. Very limited seats are left, get tickets to HARD MODE at https://lnkd.in/gub9xfum

A young giant has left us. Shahid Nasheer died on the evening of 14 October at Gleneagles Hospital, following complications arising from his treatment for leukaemia. All of us at Checkpoint Theatre are in deep sorrow at his passing. We had the highest respect for his artistry, and we treasured his friendship immensely. By turns inventive, sardonic, witty, thoughtful, and sweet-natured, Shahid was the perfect collaborator in the rehearsal room, and the ideal person to hang out with outside of work. He was brilliant at math; had mad skills with a 3-D printer; owned and proudly sported funky trousers; was trained in ballet; and was adored by everybody. He was fortunate to have the constant love and encouragement of his parents, his sister, his aunts and uncles, and his longtime girlfriend Lauren. All of us at Checkpoint Theatre extend our deepest condolences to them in this difficult time. Shahid lent his genius to several Checkpoint Theatre projects, and made an indelible mark with his performances. In BROWN BOYS DON'T TELL JOKES (2023) he was nuanced and mesmerising as the conflicted political science professor Adam, with his astonishingly fine delivery of a pivotal monologue -- all stillness and internal anguish -- bringing many audience members to tears. It was a hugely confident performance that announced Shahid's arrival on the Singapore theatre scene, after having graduated from acting school into (in his words) the abyss of the pandemic. In our 2023 fundraiser CHECKPOINT CELEBRATES! he was particularly charismatic dancing in his trademark batik shirts -- annexed from various family members, he wore them proudly and with flair. In SECONDARY: THE MUSICAL (2024) he created Singapore theatre history as the seemingly wayward student Omar, with impeccable comic timing allied to profound reserves of hurt and pain. Apprehensive about taking part in a musical, it was Shahid's ability to rap -- in both comedic and searingly emotional modes -- that created an unforgettable character, complex and wildly attractive. After matinee shows, busloads of suddenly shy teenage males would approach "Mr Omar" for selfies; an elderly Malay gentleman thanked him for his representation of the young Malay psyche. He embarked on HARD MODE with his usual rigour and dedication, participating in multiple script development reads, and taking part in improvs and exercises during our script workshops that helped build the scenes and backstory for the character of the 14 year-old XY. Although he had to withdraw from the production in the first week of the main rehearsal period upon receiving his leukaemia diagnosis, his imprint is everywhere in this play; we open HARD MODE this Friday 18 October, in his honour and in his memory.

HARD MODE premieres on 18 October! Catch this instant classic by grabbing your tickets at https://lnkd.in/gub9xfum now! — Checkpoint Theatre presents HARD MODE by Faith Ng 📆18—26 Oct 2024 📍SOTA Drama Theatre Written by Faith Ng Directed by Claire Wong Dramaturgy by Huzir Sulaiman Starring Chaney Chia, Izzul Irfan, Janine Ng, Kyra Lefebvre and Shahid Nasheer The Sengkang Squad has lived in Sengkang their whole life, and things don’t really change around here. Except nothing is quite the same anymore. With mounting pressures from parents, friends, school, and their own expectations, these teens don’t feel like children any longer — but also no closer to being grown-ups. What exactly is this limbo stage called teenagehood? And where is the tutorial for being an adult? A love letter to the perennial task of growing up and navigating the world, HARD MODE is essential viewing for the youth of today, and everyone who seeks to understand them. Commissioned by the National Arts Council. 📸: @julianatan.co

Checkpoint Theatre presents HARD MODE by Faith Ng 📆18—26 Oct 🏠SOTA Drama Theatre Written by Faith Ng Directed by Claire Wong Dramaturgy by Huzir Sulaiman Starring Chaney Chia, Izzul Irfan, Janine Ng, Kyra Lefebvre and Shahid Nasheer From the powerhouse team behind 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 (2023 Production of The Year, Straits Times Life Theatre Awards) and 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭 (2015 and 2017), playwright Faith Ng, director Claire Wong and dramaturg Huzir Sulaiman return with HARD MODE, a riveting deep dive into the world of Gen Alpha. Adam has lived in Sengkang his whole life, and things don’t really change around here. Except nothing is quite the same anymore. The indomitable Sengkang Squad – Adam, Rian, and XY – have split up into different secondary schools, and it’s been pretty hard making new friends (they’re betas with no rizz?). K-pop stan besties Arissa and Maya have found community in the huge online fanbase, but somehow nothing’s as lonely as real life. With mounting pressures from parents, friends, school, and their own expectations, they don’t feel like children any longer — but also no closer to being grown-ups. What exactly is this limbo stage called teenagehood? And where is the tutorial for being an adult? Critically acclaimed playwright Faith Ng’s new work embraces the beautiful messiness of youth and friendship with her keen understanding and sensitive portrayal of life as we know it. Huzir Sulaiman’s deft dramaturgy sculpts this illuminating work while veteran director Claire Wong delicately brings this masterpiece to the stage with affirming tenderness and unflinching honesty. With a fresh, exciting ensemble cast comprising Chaney Chia, Izzul Irfan, Janine Ng, Kyra Lefebvre, and Shahid Nasheer, HARD MODE confronts the joys, heartaches and adventures of coming of age. A love letter to the perennial task of growing up and navigating the world, HARD MODE is essential viewing for the youth of today, and everyone who seeks to understand them. Commissioned by the National Arts Council. Get your tickets now at https://lnkd.in/gub9xfum

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐀𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 by Dana Lam makes the Singapore Literature Prize 2024 shortlist for Creative Non-Fiction in English! 🥳 Developed and published by Checkpoint Theatre, Associate Artist Dana’s visual journal is a stunning splash of watercolour and ink illustrations that depict her unique worldview. Interwoven with meditative journal entries that question and reflect on her life journey as a grandmother, visual artist and writer, this poignant work is utterly unforgettable in its gentle discoveries and warmth. Words and artwork by Dana Lam Edited by Huzir Sulaiman Curation, design and layout by Marc Gabriel Loh — Our heartiest congratulations also to Associate Artist Myle Yan Tay on his novel 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘬𝘶𝘭𝘭, which made the shortlists for Fiction in English and Best Debut in English 👏 — Get your copy of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐀𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 at https://lnkd.in/gvMTjsrA - it makes a beautiful gift as well 🧡

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 will be bringing the heat to the stage very soon! Get your tickets at https://lnkd.in/gDdgVyKy now 🔥 — Checkpoint Theatre presents 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 by Cheyenne Alexandria Phillips 📆 15—25 Aug 🏠 Drama Centre Black Box Written by Cheyenne Alexandria Phillips Directed by Claire Wong Dramaturgy by Huzir Sulaiman and Claire Wong Starring Rebecca Ashley Dass, Cheryl Lee, Gosteloa Spancer, Nora Samosir and Rafaat Haji Hamzah With climate catastrophe on the horizon, why would anyone want to work in oil and gas? Cheyenne Alexandria Phillips’ sharp, sophisticated writing shines in this new play that interrogates the relationships between people and industry with empathy and nuance, anchored by Claire Wong’s skilful direction of an exceptional cast. Timely and compelling, 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 examines how we have become implicated in the climate crisis, and asks what it would take to break out of it. Get your tickets to 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 at https://lnkd.in/gDdgVyKy now! ➡️

𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐬: 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐎𝐢𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐦𝐚 with Cheyenne Alexandria Phillips, moderated by Claire Wong 📆Thu 4 July, 8pm 💻Register at https://lnkd.in/gz5v2tdK 📍A Zoom link will be sent to your email prior to the event Advocating for the environment has never been more crucial, and when juxtaposed against Singapore’s oil dependency, the stakes are higher than ever. Join us for a compelling and insightful fireside talk with playwright and climate artist Cheyenne Alexandria Phillips, with moderation by director Claire Wong of 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞. Delve into the complex world of Singapore’s petrochemical industry, known for decades as the undisputed oil hub in Asia and one of the driving forces of Singapore’s economy, as Cheyenne unpacks the intricacies and pressing issues behind it. Be part of this critical conversation at Checkpoint Theatre as we discuss what it means to take care of our world today and shape our collective future. Register now at https://lnkd.in/gz5v2tdK