Cast and Crew
THONG PEI QIN (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / STAGE MANAGER / REBEL)
The position of Assistant Director may be daunting, but Pei Qin welcomes its challenges. A third-year Theatre Studies major, she has acted, directed, scripted and filmed for several NUS productions and projects. In the process, she found her passion for directing for both film and theatre. To be able to see her visions come to life gives her great satisfaction. "The West Wing" has been an exhausting, exhilarating and worthwhile experience. She is gratified to have been given this opportunity to assist in the artistic directing of this production, and to learn from it. She thanks the Theatre Studies Programme, Professor Shen, Dr Leong, the wonderful company, her lovely family, Jul, and her “other half”—“skinny chopstick” Grace Khoo, for her indomitable spirit and great support throughout. This self-professed "rebel-without-a-cause" is also thrilled to act as a "Rebel". Watch out for her kung-fu fighting!
GRACE KHOO (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR)
Forced to take speech and drama classes at 5 due to unfounded fears of autism, Grace has since grown to love drama and performance. Past production credits include Eyeshadow (Lead Actress) in 2005, Swingers! (Playwright and Director) in 2007, and the National Museum of Singapore comissioned Fight Club (Ensemble) in 2007. A proud 3rd year Theatre Studies major, she is extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with Dr Grant Shen, Professor Leong Liew Geok and her wonderful peers to present The West Wing. She would like to credit her many lecturers at the Theatre Studies department for their guidance. Many thanks to her ever-patient family, Kah Yat and especially to her fellow Assistant Director and partner in crime Thong Peiqin, who was a pillar of strength and ingenuity in the times of complete chaos and serious despair.
MICHAEL HODGSON(LEAD (ZHANG)/ PUBLICITY)
Michael hails from Toronto, Canada where he is a graduate of the Randolph Academy for the Arts and where is currently studying drama at York University. This experience is very different than the musical theatre and western drama theories he is accustomed to and he has loved learning a new genre of performance. Thank you all for this great opportunity.
MELISSA LEE LING CHI(LEAD (ORIOLE)/MUSIC)
Melissa’s love for singing and theatre started since she was nine and has been performing in public choral and a cappella concerts, as well as musicals since then. Oriole is the attractive young mistress of the respectable Cui family who understands the need to sacrifice her own happiness for her clan ’ s reputation. However, being highly romantic, she fell for Zhang the minute they met and the struggle to suppress her feelings ensued.
ANJANA SRINIVASAN (SCARLET)
Anjana is a third-year Theatre Studies major. Being in this production has made her appreciate Chinese opera. She is grateful to have learnt much throughout the process. Her past experience on stage includes the Short and Sweet Theatre Festival (2007) and Theatreworks Writers Lab Dramatised Readings (2007). She directed Temasek Junior College Drama Club’s 30th Anniversary production of Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night's Dream” (2007), and is currently preparing TJC for the Singapore Youth Festival drama competitions in May.
CINDY TEO SEEM HONG (MADAM/LIGHTING)
A mediocre 'humble' actor, Cindy has been dabbling in the theatre scene for 11 years. Currently a part-time Radio DJ with radio1003. Love to be involved in 1) Acting, 2) Directing, 3) Lights, 4) Sawing wood.
Her 1st time playing a villain! In her opinion, Madam is NOT a villain, just a tad protective of her family standing and reputation. Being in a family related to the court made her calculative and manipulative. She is smart in using her emotions and words to influence people around her. Interested in lighting design due to the egoistic part of me and control-freak personality (no lights = no show!)
WU XINGHUA (GENERAL WHITE HORSE)
Xinghua is from the Faculty of Engineering, and is graduating as an electrical engineer in May. He has been involved in Chinese drama for the past three years. “The West Wing” is his first English production. He actually read the original play as a high school text in China, his native country. This has helped him to better understand the opera. He is grateful for the mutual support provided by the members of the company to make the show a success.
[White Horse General is a hero who defeats the rebels and makes a happy ending possible. He is loyal and he fights well. Fun fact about him: he HAS a fan club!]
ONG ENG WEN (COMBAT SCENES COORDINATOR/GENERAL FLYING TIGER)
Being in Theatre has taught Eng Wen the important lesson of what it means to be human: anguish, abandonment, despair and nausea. Yet, in spite of our all too human faults (or perhaps because of them!), we commiserate and partake in each other's company. In this production, he has been acting primarily as a combat coordinator, making it up as he went along whilst trying not to get killed by flying kicks and nunchucks. He is terribly stage-shy and hopes no audience member knows him personally. This drama, he feels, is one of miscommunication, silence, confusion and an evil despot. Classic stuff. He hopes you enjoy its dramatic conclusion!