Gateway Theatre Builds on Success of Programmes to Continue Engaging the Community through the Arts in 2019
Gateway Academy to roll out two drama-centric programmes for adults with special needs and kids Active membership in Access Arts Hub and line-up of shows involving disability to spearhead the inclusive arts movement in Singapore.
- (1888PressRelease) February 08, 2019 - Following the bigger push towards making the arts more inclusive in Singapore, Gateway Theatre is stepping up its efforts to make the arts accessible to people with disabilities with new programmes in 2019 and a persistent drive to embrace audiences of all abilities.
2018 saw radical improvements with regards to disability in the arts – Singapore’s first festival for artists with disabilities was held in conjunction with the inaugural Arts and Disability International Conference, raising plenty of awareness for inclusive arts access. To top it off, National Arts Council (NAC) launched a five-year plan with a priority of growing audiences, including people with disabilities. Since its opening in 2017, Gateway Theatre has been steadfast in its commitment to engaging the community through the arts and establishing its role as a premier performing arts venue and arts education provider. With a firm belief that the arts enrich lives and should encompass anyone who is open to its vistas, Gateway Theatre strives to give everyone an equal opportunity to engage in the arts.
Gateway Academy’s Inclusive Arts Drama Programme for adults with special needs builds on the momentum gained from its pilot 10-session drama programme in 2018 to become a long-term, full-fledged programme aimed at furthering the learning and development of people with intellectual disabilities. In collaboration with Act 3 Theatrics, trainees will learn how to better express themselves through drama techniques such as games, movement and role-playing. Gateway Academy aims to fill the gap for people with disabilities to continue learning and developing beyond Special Education in Singapore.
Besides providing education and training for individuals, Gateway Theatre takes on a macro approach to enact change as a core member of Access Arts Hub, a consortium of individuals and organisations with a shared agency to make arts more accessible and appealing for persons with disabilities. As an active member in its subgroups of Venue Managers and Content Producers, Gateway Theatre takes the necessary steps to ensure that their venue and programmes are disability-friendly for those who might feel excluded when watching live performances. This goes beyond installing ramps for wheelchairs – Audio Descriptions are commentaries that allow blind or partially-sighted patrons access to the visuals in the theatre; neurodiverse individuals will benefit from Relaxed Performances that provide a more sensory-friendly environment to allay their anxieties; Signed Performances or Captioning for the Deaf or hard-of-hearing allow them to interpret performances. In 2019, Gateway Theatre will have even more programmes in their line-up with accessibility options.
Says Priscilla Khong, Theatre Director: ”Not only is Gateway Theatre a space that welcomes all to engage in the arts, we also strive to help build a more inclusive arts scene. We hope that our key role in Access Arts Hub will let us reach out to a wider community whose voices need to be heard, in terms of challenges in attendance and participation in the arts.”
This year, Gateway Theatre will be co-presenting Not In My Lifetime? with The Finger Players in their first arts and disability show and entering a partnership with Project Tandem to present Making A Stand – an artist-with-disability-led show. Gateway Theatre continues to enrich young minds through the arts with their kids-centric activities, including the launch of Gateway Stage Kids on 2 March 2019, a speech and drama programme also in collaboration with ACT 3 Theatrics, whose director R Chandran founded Very Special Theatrics – an inclusive, semi-professional performing company for people with special needs.
On 16 February 2019, Gateway Academy is holding an Open House with trial classes for those interested to get a taste of what the speech and drama programme offers and be a part of Gateway Theatre’s community-building efforts in 2019.
For individuals or organisations wishing to give to the Inclusive Arts Drama Programme, please contact Gateway Academy Limited at +65 6819 0775.
To register for the Open House, click on this link: https://kidsopenhouse.peatix.com/
For more information on Gateway Stage Kids, please call +65 6819 0776 or email hello ( @ ) gateway dot sg
About Gateway Theatre
Opened in July 2017, Gateway Theatre, Creative Arts Spaces is a fully equipped, multi-theatre complex located at Bukit Merah. Whether it is drama, dance, music or visual arts, the Arts are truly at home at Gateway Theatre. Gateway Theatre supports homegrown works and talents of all cultures. They are constantly on the lookout on how they can create new works of art, or help artists do so; and are also interested in devising new ways of using and transforming their spaces for creative purposes. Ultimately, Gateway Theatre hopes to be a space that allows artists to explore their creativity; and also one that encourages the public to explore their imagination. Please visit them at their website for more information: https://theatre.gateway.sg/
Issued for and on behalf of Gateway Theatre by Affluence Public Relations.
Lee Say Hua
sayhua ( @ ) affluencepr dot com
+65 9668 4605
Maria Chow
maria ( @ ) affluencepr dot com
+65 9385 0806
###
space
space
Satisfied Users & 
Approved Press Releases
Print
Email
Report Spam