ACJC Physical Theatre Festival 2024

This year, the ACJC Physical Theatre Festival: The Teller and The Tale has returned to the main stage of the Centre of Performing Arts. This is an exciting event that celebrates the art of gestural and physical storytelling. In a series of exciting performances on 24 August 2024, the audience truly saw the vibrant energy youths today bring to theatre-making.

The first performance by Kranji Secondary School was a light-hearted and energetic piece about the characters’ clever problem-solving skills by finding their way out of a living escape room. This was followed by ‘WHAT IF?’ by ACS Barker, a poignant performance that explored themes of inclusiveness and acceptance in the school environment.

Continuing the idea of inclusive diversity, ACJC’s ACSian Theatre presented ‘Time Dancer’, a meaningful dance item portraying the diversity of races and identities in Singapore with powerful poignancy. Tanjong Katong Girls’ School then performed a dynamic piece that depicted the tales of three powerful women from Asian history. Titled ‘Burning Waters’, this performance pays tribute to the women’s shared indomitable spirit across their different cultures.

Next, Singapore Chinese Girls’ School performed ‘Fire-Flies’. This thought-provoking piece explores themes of fitting in and belonging through the trials faced by persons forcibly displaced from their homes. Finally, the festival ended with a fantastical tale of cunning and wit with ACJC’s ACSian Theatre telling the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. This performance was extracted from “One Thousand and One Nights” that was first performed in August by the JC1 cast.

We want to appreciate all participating schools and teachers for their attendance at this year’s Physical Theatre Festival. The commitment they made to their performances through both body and text was truly remarkable to see, and we hope it made a deep and lasting impact on every member of the audience. This thanks also extends to the backstage crew comprised of volunteers from Tampines Meridian Junior College’s Drama Elective Programme.

We would also like to thank our school leaders, teachers and friends for their continuous support of ACSian Theatre and the work done to continue crafting well-told stories for the stage.

To God be the Glory, the Best is Yet to Be

Written by:

Jemima Huiting Ryan (1AH)

Keira Germaine Baptista (1MD3)