On 17 April 2026, I joined the Kaya Toast Playback Theatre team to put up a Playback Theatre performance, "In Between". The performance was a programme at [X] by Kita and was attended by an intimate audience of 25.
The theme of "In Between" provided a space for youths to share about the different roles and transitions they may have, are or were experiencing.
BACKGROUND
The Kaya Toast Playback Theatre team was made up of course mates I had met at the SDEA Core Training I had attended a year before.
The performance was conducted at [X] by Kita, a third space in Stamford Arts Centre. The youth development charity for under-resourced youths, Kita, describes [X] by Kita as "a third space for youths [aged 17 to 35] to make friends and be exposed to different art forms that develops their interests. By creating spaces of belonging, opportunities for growth and scaffolds for youth's aspirations" ([X] by Kita, n.d.-a; n.d.-b).
I closed the playback performance with this final offer,
I remember the people that signed their lives away.I remember the many possibilities out there.
I remember.
LEARNING POINTS
This is probably the first project I have been on where I had a seat at the discussion table. It has been an eye-opening experience observing how the negotiation between a space/partner and the creative happens. The value of a creative team to be able to articulate possibilities and a vision that would be able to support a partner's mission too.
Truthfully, the reflection for this piece / project took a while to digest. Because when the moment had passed and the last story was shared, my mind went blank. I couldn't remember what I had done, which Teller I was a Teller-Actor for, what offers I had made or missed. It has made me reconsider the ethics of documentation in a public, community project. How would we balance documenting what would have otherwise been an ephemeral moment witnessed in context vs. providing opportunities for Tellers/community members to have a say of how they want to be remembered/forgotten?
Finally, "in between" as my debut Playback performance has helped me seen through the entire production process from rehearsal to performance. In a way, I am still in between about whether the runway had been too short (4 rehearsals and 2 days shy of 2 months between the offer and the show). I find myself thinking about what worked: the chemistry from having done Core training together, having kept the practice through Open Rehearsals with other playback groups in Singapore, and how the show has provided momentum and clarity on areas for growth.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Venue, Programme and Marketing Support: Kita and their [X] space: Jim See, Victor, Madhu, Adia, Kelly
Conductor: Michael Cheng
Musician: Mark Benedict Cheong
Actors: Catherine Lee, Joyner Kum, Kho Yong Xiang, Zish, Yvonne Tan
The support of the wider core group team with their generous support in providing opportunities, mentorship and support in documentation, fellow Kaya Toasters: Jim See, Shangbin, Jason, Jia Min, June, Charmaine; and the others who have journeyed with us: Wanying and Josh.
APPENDICES
REFERENCES
[X] by Kita [@xbykita] (n.d.-a). [Instagram profile]. Instagram. Retrieved April 28, 2026, from https://www.instagram.com/xbykita/
[X] by Kita (n.d.-b). In Between - A Playback Theatre Performance. Eventbrite. Retrieved April 28, 2026, from https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/in-between-a-playback-theatre-performance-tickets-1986405041953