SPAF DRAMA 2021 - ONLINE EDITION
For 2021, COVID-19 situation is still very fluid, as such we have decided to keep SPAF DRAMA 2021 as ONLINE EDITION.
All performance guidelines remain the same as listed within the syllabus booklet further below this page, except that the performance will be recorded and submitted online.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
- Participants who wish to utilise SPAF participation for any official academic purpose - Please Read This First.
- Due to the online/recorded format, Impromptu Speaking categories will not be offered.
Recording your performance - Some basic requirements to note:
- Quiet Space / Environment with ample lighting.
- A simple video recorder - most recent mobile phones should be adequate.
- The video recording must be taken;
- from the ‘Front’ view, as observed by an adjudicator.
- in ONE complete continuous take.
- Video Submission must be submitted by 15 JUNE 2021, in MP4 or MOV video format sent using www.wetransfer.com OR a Youtube private video link to spafThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
- Please contact us if you need any assistance or clarifications.
On event day(s), there shall be online* masterclasses (Live Stream) from the adjudicators commenting on the respective entries.
(*format will be announced after the closing date)
Closing Date:
- Creative Writing entries - by 1 JUNE 2021
- All other registrations – by 15 JUNE 2021
- Festival Dates - 24th & 25th JULY 2021
In the event if the COVID-19 situation allows for some form of public gathering and with sufficient interest from participants, a suitable venue for the masterclass may be arranged.
Need further information or clarification?
Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or whatsapp: 9651 3538
2019 FESTIVAL PHOTO GALLERY - DAY 1 / DAY 2
GENERAL INFORMATION
SPAF aims to inspire, so all performers leave with a sense of achievement! Its purpose is to open up the window of performing arts to students, encouraging them to develop a range of communication and interpersonal skills through an interactive environment.
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SPAF 2021 DramaFestival Info Booklet |
Entry is Simple!Just click on the ONLINE FORM to register!
- Download the Festival Info Booklet. Although we strongly recommend to register using the ONLINE form, do [WHATSAPP] us if you prefer to utilise the printed entry form. Event Poster - [Click] |
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For Malaysia Entries
Please CLICK HERE
for further information
About SPAF - Singapore Performing Arts Festival - Drama
The 8th Singapore Performing Arts Festival (SPAF) - ONLINE EDITION will be held from 24th & 25th July 2021. Since the Ministry of Education and government have embraced the significance of drama as part of the education process in Singapore, there has been an increasing demand for drama activities amongst schools, parents and students. This event is specially tailored to the Primary and Secondary school students in Singapore.
SPAF is an Associate Member of The British and International Federation of Festivals of which Her Majesty the Queen is Patron. By being recognised by the British and International Federation of Festivals, Singapore will join not only the 300+ festivals in the UK but also the festivals in Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA.
Preparing for and participation in a Festival involves young people in group activity and individual achievement - every skill gained in preparing for and giving a performance is a valuable life skill which will be used in job interviews, in the workplace, in leisure activities and in social and interpersonal relationships throughout life.
Most will not make their career in the Arts but will become that educated audience who will keep the arts alive in the coming years. However, the festival movement was where many famous names began their career, Julian Lloyd Webber, Maureen Lipman, Wayne Sleep, Dame Janet Baker, & Paul Scofield to name a few!
The adjudicator will be a practising professional who will not only make a skilled judgement but who will also seek to inspire a greater appreciation of the work being performed and remarks made in public and on the written report will evaluate and encourage the performers.
POPULAR Categories:
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Story Telling - Performance Arts (Solo and Group)
Telling a story using movement and gesture to illustrate the content would be regarded as 2 skills – expressive speaking and movement.
Telling a story using props/and/or costume ( e.g. illustrations from the book, puppets, or hats )would be regarded as 2 skills – expressive speaking and use of props, telling a story using voice, movement and song would be regarded as 3 skills- expressive speaking, movement, and singing
Telling a story using voice, movement, song and a musical instrument would be regarded as four skills- expressive speaking, movement, song and playing an instrument.
The adjudicator is looking for the skills to be integrated into a fluent, structured performance. -
Creative Writing
Since the first SPAF in 2011, the Creative writing class has been attracting more and more entries and the standard has risen. We believe very strongly that this ties in with the study of Language and Literature and is of additional benefit to Students in both the Primary and Secondary sectors.
Students are given absolute free choice of content, the only regulation is to adhere to the word count. The completed story is submitted to the office and then to the adjudicator before the day of the Festival – on the actual day the student may read out their story or nominate someone else to do so- this is not part of the assessment, the adjudicator has already reached his or her decision and written the reports- the idea is to share the content with the audience and so then the adjudicator’s comments are more relevant to the listeners.
We will be running a Creative Writing Workshop prior to this year’s festival so do join us if you wish to find out more!! -
Public Speaking
For many adults the thought of speaking in public is terrifying- it is generally recognised that the younger people are when they begin then the less likely it is that this fear follows them into their adult life. The Public Speaking Classes of S P A F are judged on both content and delivery and these are the aspects that we will be addressing in our workshop prior to the 2016 Festival in July.
The topics are released to Festival one month before the Festival and we will share those set in previous years as a guide, so this is a workshop that we hope will prove valuable if you are interested in promoting the value of Public Speaking without fear!
Other Categories Offered:
- New! Musical Theatre - Solo & Group
- Impromptu Speaking
- Verse Speaking
- Choral Speaking
- Dramatic Monologue
- Dramatic Duologue
- Group Acting (Scripted / Devised)
Full details of categories within syllabus info booklet. Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you need further clarifications or assistance.
About the Adjudicators
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MARY ANN TEARMary Ann is a Performing Arts practitioner based in Singapore where she directs, choreographs, and lectures. She is a consultant for MS Works Pte Ltd where she runs Training Workshops and seminars for Teachers. She advises on training programmes for various companies including Julia Gabriel, Stagecraft, Mindstretcher, and other companies in Singapore and Malaysia. She is an examiner for Trinity College London, and a British Federation Adjudicator. Her work has taken her to Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Canada, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Bermuda, as well as centres in Europe and the UK. (Full Biog) |
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AMINA JINDANIAmina Jindani is the founder of MoOne Drama – an award-winning organisation which promotes drama education. She studied acting, creative writing and directing in London at the Royal Court Young Peoples’ Theatre and was able to learn from notable figures such as playwrights, Harold Pinter, April de Angelis, Caryll Churchill, Hanif Kureshi and Howard Brenton, as well as illustrious theatre directors such as Max Stafford-Clarke and Lindsey Posner. She was also featured in the Young Writers’ Festivals held at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in Sloane Square, London. Amina has experience as an actress, presenter, producer, director, writer & performance educator. As a teacher in the subject of Speech & Drama, Amina was Head of Department at an international school. She holds a Licentiate in Teaching Speech and Drama (Distinction) with Trinity College London and is certified and trained as professional teacher of Cambridge IGCSE Drama. Recent Awards
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JOHN GARDYNEJohn Gardyne was born in Northumberland England, studied English Literature at Exeter University and subsequently gained an MA in Shakespeare Studies at York University studying under the eminent Shakespeare scholar Professor Brian Gibbons. He trained as a theatre director at the Sherman Theatre Cardiff and was then appointed Assistant Director of the Orange Tree Theatre Richmond for two years, during which time he directed The Orange Box, tours of Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream and acted as dramaturg and co-director of the world premiere of Rodney Ackland’s Absolute Hell, revived at the National Theatre in April 2018. Since then he has worked extensively as a director of plays, musicals and operas for many leading companies in the UK and abroad, including the Royal National Theatre Studio, the Covent Garden Festival, Welsh National Opera, Glyndebourne Opera, in regional theatres and in the West End. (Full Biog) |
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ALECIA KIM CHUAAlecia began acting 16 years ago, Alecia has played roles from Shakespeare to George Orwell to Alfian Sa’at, touring to Edinburg, Tasmania, India, Malaysia and most recently to Korea, working with some of the best directors and actors in Singapore Theatre and has even dabbled in TV and film. She is a performer, director and teacher. Alecia’s passion is Theatre for the young and passing on the art of theatre making to the next generation. She is currently the Head of Department at NAFA School of Young Talents teaching what she loves. She has taught aspiring actors in youth programs, students from ages 3yr -64 yrs. She continues to teach and advocate the importance of arts in education. |
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MATT GREYMatt began acting in British television over thirty years ago. He trained at the Guilford School of Acting and Dance and afterwards continued performing in film, television and theatre in the U.K., Australia and occasionally now in Singapore.
In 2000, he acquired a teaching licentiate with Guildhall School of Music and Drama and began to teach voice and speech for actors at across Singapore. Since then Matt has had extensive experience with training Asian and Western actors and acting students.
Matt is also a professional actor and received the Straits Times 13th Life Theatre Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Sigmund Freud in Freud’s Last Session at the Esplanade 2013. (Full Biog)
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OVERVIEW OF SPAF (Excerpts from Information Booklet)
Who should Join?
- Just about ANYONE! who is interested in improving critical life skills such as:
a. Effective Communication
b. Confidence in a presentation before an audience
- EVERYONE! This is the perfect festival to experience Speech & Drama whether you have little or no previous experience.
- From age 6 upwards.
What will each participant get?
- A written report.
- A certificate of participation for achievement of above 75 marks.
How will the festival be conducted? (under Non COVID-19 situation)
- Individual and Group Participants will be allocated classes based on their age.
- Individual entry Classes will be conducted in a hall that can seat about 50.
- Group entry Classes will be conducted in a school hall.
- Group size will be from 6 to a max of 12 participants.
- Each Class will last about an hour depending on the age group and class type/size.
- During each class:
a. Participants will take turns to perform in the order predetermined by the organiser.
b. The adjudicator will evaluate their performance on a report form, which will be presented to the respective participants at the end of each class.
c. After all the participants have presented their work, the adjudicator will conduct a mini master-class style to comment on the overall performance of the class as a whole.
d. Certificates will be presented to all participants.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I have no prior experience in Speech & Drama, is SPAF suitable for me?
A: YES! Although we are a professional organization our aim is to attract Newcomers. festival participants, teachers and parents with little or no experience will still be able to participate in, and benefit from, involvement in SPAF!
Q: Is SPAF’s concept something new and not tested before?
A: On the contrary, SPAF is associated to The British & International Federation of Festivals, with over 300 associated festivals worldwide and attracted over ONE Million performers reaching an audience of around 5 million in 2010.
Q: We already have many activities for Performing Arts, why should we consider SPAF?
A: One of SPAF’s main benefits is the written and verbal educational feedback provided by the adjudicator. Performers will not only have a chance to perform but will able to improve themselves through the adjudicator’s feedback and master class.
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