Another D in my life

It would seem rather depressing to keep dwelling on my diagnosis and follow up right away with another post on my ataxia so I shall try to keep things on a lighter note first (like a commercial break?). I thought perhaps it’ll be nice to write about the good Ds in my life. But! I realised that actually, many D-words have negative connotations (damage, destroy, defect, disease, deceased, death, destitute, desolation, desperate, demon… I really could go on…) so it was kind of difficult for me to think of anything delightful/delectable.

And perhaps many people would not even consider this D to be positive. Some might even hate it, since it does suffer from a bad reputation and it has been used to describe people who might be overly expressive or easy with displaying their emotions. Or perhaps in awkward and tensed situations where these “emotional” people are involved. The word is DRAMA.

“He’s so drama!”

“There’s so much drama here!”

Nobody really likes drama. 

So, while the general opinion of this word might be a little demoralising or derogatory even, my understanding of it is entirely different. Informed by my academic background plus a personal experience of it during my learning, I’ve another perspective. 

Drama is an art form, a field of specialised knowledge and skill that require specific training/learning for a sound practice. It can also be used as a most effective tool of communication between 2 groups of people – the creators (directors, designers, performers) and its audience. 

I guess I can delve into the theories and philosophies to explain Drama but there’s really no need to bore you!

I just wanted to mention how this D had delightful manifestations in my life:

1. Anderson Theatre Circle (ATC)

When I first started teaching in Anderson Secondary School, I was blessed tremendously with Drama Club as my CCA. It was a blessing because I was provided with many opportunities to develop my craft, from scriptwriting to directing to (sound/light) design etc. Besides planning for drama-centered programs for camps, workshops, public performances and bi-annual competitions (like SYF), we also brought our work overseas to Australia, Adelaide. Other than very motivated and talented students, the team of teachers who were i/c of the CCA were fabulous as well – the sense of pride in what we do was very high because the sense of belonging to the CCA in each of us was very strong. I still remember calling the 3 of us ladies ‘The Dream Team’ and the POWERpuff Girls (because together, we were POWER PACKED). In any case, there was nothing negative at all from my entire 6 years in ATC.

The Dream Team/Powerpuff Girls are the 3 ladies in the centre
(from your left: Sally in black. myself in pink and Nasyitah Tan Wah Ling; also in black)

Performed at the National Library for their Kids Fest

Full dress run of 'Fatal Addictions' - play I wrote in 2007

2. Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Drama and Drama Education

This. Was a “once in a lifetime, never heard of before” opportunity which gave me 6 months FULLY PAID leave from full time teaching to pursue it. Usually anyone who’s interested in attaining additional qualification will have to do it part-time, i.e. attend classes after a full day of work, complete assignments while fulfilling their duties as a teacher… and it would take 2 years at the very least. So, it was truly a miracle for me when I was permitted to do this in 6 MONTHS.

The 6 months was also a life-changing experience for me, where I remembered that my learning in Drama grew at an exponential rate. It was so refreshing for me to be a sponge where I could absorb everything that was being taught and also be squeezed to produce creative juices in my work. It was an enriching 6 months that I’d never forget.