Monday, December 24, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
Edgar Mirantz Tan - Technical Director
This young fellow is so busy, we're fortunate to have been able to catch up with him!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a full time anesthetic nurse in the operating theatre of East Shore – A Parkway Health hospital and also a part time director of two companies - Film Five Management and E.M.Tan Hypnotherapy.
Have you had past experiences in a musical or drama production?
I was involved in the arts scene since kindergarten and I've been doing theatre, musicals and plays ever since. I also took part in The Necessary Stage's :In the Lenses of Youth" (1999) as well as ITE's “A Mid-Summer Night's Dream” (2003). I used to be in the church choir as well.
How did you get involved in this production?
Auntie Jingle approached me and I decided to make this my last production before I leave for Australia in February next year. I'll be pursuing a Bachelor in Nursing and Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy in Melbourne, Australia.
What does your role require of you?
I coordinate with the director and script writers to brainstorm on the various audio, video and lighting effects and equipment needed.
If you had the choice of playing the role of a character, who would it be and why?
The audience. The audience is always a character and I would really love to take a backseat at times. But of course when you're taking a backseat, you'll feel like being involved.
How do you prepare yourself before you go on stage?
Talk, laugh, power nap, drink lots of apple juice (it's good for the throat) and not eat. Eating before a show makes my stomach go BIG and I'll look rounder (which I already am).
*The interview ends abruptly as Edgar flags a cab to rush off for his next appointment. Come catch this flitting fellow as he handles the lighting effects for the musical!
Devin Kuek - Joseph
This adorable baby-faced polar bear appears to be quiet and reserved but just like the good ol' can of Pringles, once you pop, he can't stop!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am an associate in an investment holding company. I enjoy working on cars, swimming, whitewater rafting, kayaking, skiing, fixing things... cars I would like to own: Subaru S204, BMW M3 (E46 with the 3.2 L S54B32 inline 6), Ford Shelby Mustang GT500. My most memorable car is the 1990 to 1993 Honda Accord. I once drank 2 liters of orange juice in 5 minutes. Personal motto in life: "Never stop learning!" My favorite subjects in school were Physics, Mathematics, Finance, Economics and Engineering. You can check my record books for my least favorite subjects…
Have you had past experiences in a musical or drama production?
None, that I can remember.
What made you agree to playing the role of Joseph in the musical?
It's a new experience and a great challenge.
What is one difficult moment you've encountered since the start of production?
Learning my lines.
What is the most memorable moment for you so far?
Watching the energy and talent that everyone brings to the musical, come together each weekend.
If you had the choice of playing the role of another character, who would it be and why?
King Herod. This character has short but powerful lines. Raw intensity of the character.
How do you prepare yourself before you go on stage/perform?
Eat, drink lots of fluids, run through lines, visualize actions and stretch
One quirky habit of yours:
One of the first things I do in the morning is to drink at least 0.5 liters of water.
Living proof that the greatest beauty secret of all times is plain water. Bottoms up, people! Make way for Devin and his baby smooth, glowing skin (and dimples) live in BPMC on Dec 23rd and Dec 25th as he makes his acting debut!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Jingle Cortes - Director
This is one lady you wouldn't want to mess with. She peers up at me over the top of her red spectacles as I interrupt her in her quest to memorise Handel's Messiah for a performance with the Singapore Symphony Chorus. My hands shake as I prepare my notepad and pen, but Auntie Jingle kindly offers a cup of hot chrysanthemum tea to calm my nerves.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I love classical music, singing, playing the piano, acting - anything that has to do with the Arts. I really believe that dogs can be your best friend. The sight of dogs just melts me.
We hear that you've had quite a lot of involvements in plays and productions. Share with us some of your experiences.
Before my Law degree and my Masters in Divinity, I was a Theatre student where I was involved with all aspects of drama and theatre production - sound, light, acting, set design, stage management, directing, props. My professor used to tell me, " You have to be married to theatre". I did Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, Dial M for Murder, Cavorting with Angels, The Three Penny Opera, You Can't Take it With You, Waiting for Godot and a lot more when I was in the Philippines. In Singapore, I did my bit with Singapore Repertory - Lady Thiang for King and I in 1991 where I worked with Bernardo Bernardo and Tony Petito, Godspell - then Serena Tan was still an aspiring actress, one of the wicked sisters in Into the Woods, directed by Glenn Goei and where Leah Salonga and Adrian Pang acted (that's name-dropping!). I also got myself involved in three Lyric Theatre Opera productions. I directed Amahl and the Night Visitors--a Christmas opera. In church and the evangelical circle, it's either a Christmas cantata or Easter musicale or just plain singing during normal service in BPMC or in events for churches and para-church organizations. Danced a few times as well and was a presenter a few times over in beauty pageants in my "younger days."
How did the idea of staging this musical in BPMC come about?
When I heard Bridget Goh and her team rehearsing their twenty minute original musicale for their Thailand mission trip over two years ago, I felt that we needed to explore the possibility of doing this in our church. I prayed about it and began the process of discussing and including this in the WAMM Plan for the Church. I think Bridget, Gayle Goh and myself must have met a few times to brainstorm on how we could expand the plot to make it more ‘Singaporean’ so the script had to be revised a few times.
What does your role require of you?
I direct lah! The director is like the conductor who strings the orchestra together. The project must be overwhelming to some because no one has come forward as a costumer. So, I dabble as a costumer. I'm so glad that Sulyn lent a huge help. I’m also very much involved in teaching the choir. Actually it's a community production - we have to learn to play team and spread our tentacles where help is need. That is most glorifying to HIM!
What is the most difficult moment you've encountered since the start of production?
Nothing so difficult. One frustrating thing is when people promise and they don't deliver.
What is the most memorable moment for you since the start of production?
Everything. This is a first for our church and many of us are giving our all for one single purpose - His Name and His glory. The team spirit is fantastic. Because this is an evolving musicale, ideas are welcome. The dance choreography is good. The Church is blessed with so many talented people who are willing to give of their best. The stage crew, the production crew, the AV, the Choir, the children, the back-up singers, the dancers …rehearsing with them is no chore because there is just so much joy! WHAT A BLESSING!
One quirky habit of yours:
I collect ducks, crystals, and coins.
One word to describe yourself:
Driven
Friday, November 30, 2007
What's The Secret?
According to ancient hieroglyphics, fossil evidence and other written documents, grapes have been around for quite some time. Anything that's endured thousands of years of change must be good. This is what keeps King Herod and the crew going during the long late night hours - crunchy red seedless grapes from Sheng Siong! Shh... it's a secret!