Grey Matters will be at 72-13!

This performance is a new specially tailored pilot programme for schools exploring the issue of stress and how it affects students’ mental health. Tackling perceptions that ‘young people do not go through stress’ and misconceptions that ‘people who go for counselling are crazy’ – Grey Mattersaims to better prepare and equip students with the ability to cope with increasing amount of stress.

Grey Matters is a new programme presented as part of TheatreWorks’ Writers’ Laboratory Writing & Community Programme in partnership with the South East Community Development Council.

Synopsis
Grey Matters traces the journey of Damien, who faces the stresses of adjusting to major changes in his life, such as preparing for a national exam, fulfilling his leadership role in his CCAs and living up to the expectations of his family, friends and teachers. Damien neglects to properly take care of his mental health, and when it all becomes too much, he opens a mental first aid kit that he found under his table.

While we are familiar with physical illnesses and injuries, we often forget that our mental health needs to be taken care of as well. Grey Matters hopes to not only provide coping strategies for periods of intense stress, but also as we go about our daily lives. After all, our grey matter matters.

Public Performance Details:
15 February 2017
3pm, 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Road Singapore 239007

Approximately 60mins with a post-show discussion

Please email ezzat@theatreworks.org.sg or call 6737-7213 (Ezzat) to request for an invitation.

Written & directed by Thomas Lim
Performed  by Ali Anwar, Fiona Lim, Kimberly Arriola and Matthew Fam

Visit our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/TheatreWorksSg and our blog at https://writingandcommunity2017.wordpress.com/ to find out more.

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About the TheatreWorks Writers’ Lab Writing & Community Programme

The presentation of Mixed is part of TheatreWorks’ Writing & Community Programme in partnership with the South East Community Development Council to nurture and develop new playwrights from the community. Writing & Community is a holistic, unique writing programme that serves the community through harnessing the talents and creativity in the community.

Writing & Community is a strand of TheatreWorks Engagement to encourage audience appreciation of the Arts, and deepen the knowledge of its patrons as well as stakeholders.

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Community Partner

\With Support from

Tackling issues head on: TheatreWorks Engagement programmes unpack themes of interracial marriage and mental health

TheatreWorks Engagement programmes aim to challenge perceptions and misconceptions through two new performances.

A specially crafted pilot programme will be brought to eight schools this February exploring the issue of stress and how it affects students’ mental health. From the pressures of school, family and friends, students face an ever-increasing amount of stress. Tackling perceptions that ‘young people do not go through stress’ and misconceptions that ‘people who go for counseling are crazy’, this pilot programme – Grey Matters, aims to better prepare and equip students with the ability to cope though periods of increased stress through a three –pronged approach:

• A performance – allowing students easy access to the subject matter;
• A post-show dialogue to open up a platform for discussion and provide self-care tips to manage stress;
• An activity pack, allowing teachers the opportunity to delve deeper into stress and stress management, giving students a chance to practise these stress management techniques firsthand.

While the importance of mental health has been on the rise, race has always been a part of Singapore’s history, and remains a key part of a person’s identity from the day they are born through their entire lives.

Part of TheatreWorks’ annual Performance Tour, Mixed, a winning play from the 24-Hour Playwriting Competition 2016 will tour the South East District from 23 February to 11 March.

From moments of racial discrimination to disownment, this heartfelt piece explores the challenges of interracial marriage in Singapore. It follows the story of Anika and her family as they navigate the difficulties of being a mixed family.

We invite the public to join us in the post-show dialogues as we address issues of race, discrimination and family expectations. For selected performances, join us in talks with invited guests who have personal experience of being discriminated.

TheatreWorks hopes that these new programmes and performances will become the catalyst for audiences to reflect and discuss critical issues related to living in Singapore while at the same time encourage audience appreciation of the arts.

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There will be a public performance of Grey Matters on 15 February 2017. For an invitation, please email ezzat@theatreworks.org.sg

Book your tickets for Mixed here today!