This session was held in Singapore on 29 November 2022. ASSITEJ President Sue Giles was in Singapore to meet with ASSITEJ Singapore as a newly revitalised National Centre and to meet members as they began the journey to networking and connection in their country and with the international association. 

Those responsible for the revitalisation of ASSITEJ Singapore cooperated to gather 24 participants for a presentation and open discussion on Internationalising Your Practice, led by Sue Giles. Two of the founding members of ASSITEJ Singapore - Luanne Poh the CEO and founder of The ArtGround, a creative play space for early years and Rachel Lim Head of the Children and Youth team at the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay – invited practitioners in TYA in Singapore to attend. 

The forum was held in the studio space at The ArtGround in person, with the session documented and attendance taken.  

The participants were welcomed by Rachel Kim and Luanne Poh and the structure and timeline of ASSITEJ Singapore introduced to potential new members. Sue Giles opened with a welcome and introductions around the room to hear everyone’s practice and contexts. 

The session presented ASSITEJ International, how it works, what we do, how many countries are involved, and how the work of the Association can connect with artists and develop networks and collaborations internationally. This was followed by a Q and A on ASSITEJ. 

Discussion of internationalising Your Practice – what does this mean and how does it happen? Presentation on the many ways to understand this, past simple touring.  We heard from practitioners about the different ways they create and present their works, what experience people have had in the past, what has toured and how. The work ranging from theatre performances to community projects in people’s houses and across several different forms.  We talked of the importance of hearing and seeing contemporary Asian work globally, as there is still a lack of exposure and knowledge of what is happening in this region. We talked of the challenges in the region with access to funds and mobility, as well as language for many countries. The expectations of what ‘Asian theatre’ is – Singapore has felt that its contemporary work is not wanted as much as an expression of its traditional culture, even by Asian neighbours. 

We heard from most people in the room, with some experienced voices able to give practical tips and examples of projects that have worked in interesting ways.