At LASALLE’s 2023 Open House, prospective students are invited to learn more about the BA (Hons) Arts Management programme
Singapore has always been known for pedigree education. Its flagship universities – the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University – rank among Asia’s top institutions, producing the engineers, city planners, lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs and politicians who have helped elevate the small island into a leading world city.
The announcement in March 2022 to build a University of the Arts (UAS) is significant if not somewhat belated. Has the government only recently wised up to the contribution of arts to national development? It certainly is an indication of its ambitions and its understanding of the future economy, one requiring diverse skills and knowledge to navigate the tech and digital space with the arts and humanities.
The new university will be an alliance of two existing institutions: the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and the LASALLE College of Arts. Both have existed as non-profit private schools for a combined history of 124 years.
Established roots
Founded in 1984, LASALLE currently offers 30 diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in fine arts, design communication, film, animation, fashion, dance, music, theatre and arts management, all validated by Goldsmiths, University of London. The campus at McNally Road is a quirky, light-filled space, which can be accessed through the civic and cultural district of downtown Singapore. To reach the campus, you walk past old residences, food markets and crumbling walls overflowing with wildflowers.
Day in the life
What might a typical day be for the theatre student in LASALLE? The schedule is filled with vocal training and movement classes. Staples here are the Suzuki Method, with its emphasis on the interconnection of body energy, breathing and gravity, and the Le Jeu Method, along with Asian martial arts such as the silat. Originating from Indonesia and practised in most of Southeast Asia, silat focuses on nimble footwork, hand movements and attacks on pressure points as well as the use of weapons. There are also classes devoted to dramatic literature, with students required to write their essays in English. The content is a mix of practice and academic theory, taught by lecturers from all over the world. Student productions range from original homegrown plays to classics in the Asian and Western canon.
About 30 per cent of students at LASALLE are international students, with the biggest percentage from Indonesia and China. The blend of linguistic and cultural influences is a key feature at LASALLE and of Singapore theatre more generally.
A vibrant city
The biggest enrolment is in the BA(Hons) Design Communications programme, but the Film, Dance and Theatre graduates have done LASALLE proud, going on to lead, direct or found theatre groups, helm arts and theatre festivals, win awards, appear on international stages, in films and on television. Theatre has played a key role in Singapore for centuries, but the scene has been booming in recent years, with the numbers and quality of theatre groups, professional practitioners and international collaborations increasing significantly. The UAS is a culmination of years of government funding and efforts at building an arts ‘ecosystem’. Theatre is now the cornerstone of the Singaporean performing arts scene today.
The coalition of NAFA and LASALLE will be a milestone. It feels like it could evolve into something really exciting and experimental, and something to be proud of. ‘The University of the Arts is a move in the right direction,’ says Nora Samosir, who teaches singing at LASALLE and is also a prolific stage and television actor in Singapore. ‘It would enhance arts education in Singapore and take it to another level. It is absolutely the right time as both NAFA and LASALLE have developed their natural strengths. We are good enough to no longer need validation from outside of Singapore. Everything is about timing.’
An interview with Mehernavaz Bakshi - a student from India is currently in Year 1 of the in the BA(Hons) Acting programme.
How does it feel to be at LASALLE?
Honestly, it feels like I was destined to be here. I have wanted to become an actor ever since I can remember, and when the time came to finally take a step forward to my dream, I found it to be the ideal college for me.The philosophy and vision of LASALLE was in line with mine. The focus on Asian theatre, the exposure, individuality and freedom it provided seemed like a perfect environment to flourish creatively. They weren’t necessarily looking for the best actors, they were looking for individuals with passion which they would mould and equip with the confidence and skill set to stand out on a global platform. For an artist, there is truly no better place to be.
What are your main takeaways from the college so far?
Not knowing something is the only way to know it. As they say, ‘If you’re the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room.’I’ve also learnt that it’s important to make mistakes, as long as they are new ones, because ultimately theatre is a representation of life and if we make mistakes as humans, it’s fair to make some as artists too.Finally, I’ve learnt we are all amazing as individuals. In the arts industry, we are all in our own league and cannot compare ourselves to anyone. Our only competition is our yesterday’s self. So, own the progress and the achievements as well as the flaws. Take pride in what you bring to the table, because there will always be something that we have to offer and no-one can take that from us.
The University of the Arts Singapore (UAS) will open its doors in the second half of 2024. The university, formed by an alliance between LASALLE College of the Arts (LASALLE) and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), will open applications in the autumn 2023 for its first cohort of students in August 2024. Theatre candidates need to audition with two monologues of different genres.You can find more information about LASALLE and its admission process at lasalle.edu.sg. For programme advice and admissions-related enquiries, students can email admissions@lasalle.edu.sg or call (+65) 6496 5111.