ACT 3 Theatrics Origins
In July 1984, 3 friends (R Chandran, Ruby Lim-Yang and Jasmin S Simon) came together to form Singapore’s first professional theatre company: ACT 3 Theatrics. At a time when professional actors were hard to come by and the idea of a children’s theatre company unimaginable to most, the 3 founders were determined to provide a space for young ones to experience the wonders of drama.
Starting with birthday party performances in living rooms to taking travelling shows out to bookshops, parks, schools and even the beach, ACT 3 Theatrics grew in size and prominence, eventually having their own premise and staging original plays in Singapore’s biggest theatres. Most notable of their works was ‘Makanplace’; Singapore’s first locally produced musical which was staged at the Victoria Concert Hall in 1988. School assembly performances and collaborations with large corporations allowed adults and children all over Singapore to experience the story-telling magic of ACT 3 Theatrics.
After 40 Years of Theatre Magic,
ACT 3 Theatrics paved the way for children’s drama education and theatre, and has left their mark on both the theatre industry and the hearts of many Singaporeans.
Many of the country’s top actors and arts practitioners began their own journeys here, with future generations of actors emerging.
Now into its fourth decade, ACT 3 Theatrics continues putting children first, introducing drama to new generations in evolving ways.
Company Milestones
Nov 1981
ACT 3: Living Room Theatre formed by R Chandran, Ruby Lim-Yang & Jasmin Samat Simon.
Jan 1982
'Jack and the Beanstalk' at MPH Bookstore, Stamford Road. First public performance by ACT 3
Oct 1983
'Treasure Island' @ Bras Basah Park during a Drama Festival organized by Ministry of Culture. ACT 3's first involvement in a National arts showcase event. Subsequently, commissioned pieces were performed at Singapore Festival of Arts and Young People’s Theatre.
1st July 1984
ACT 3 Theatrics established as Singapore’s first professional theatre company with a mission to take theatre out to audiences wherever they are.
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'MakanPlace - A Singapore Musical' produced and staged by ACT 3 Theatrics, Singapore's first original muscial.
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'Strawberry Shortcake Extravaganza' at World Trade Centre Auditorium. ACT 3 Theatrics first full-length theatre production staged.
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
Overseas foray to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and Canada to be part of foreign Arts Festivals.
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'The Emperor's New Clothes' at Drama Centre/Jubilee Hall/Raffles Hotel
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'Crocodile Tears' at Drama Centre
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'Repunzel' at Drama Centre
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves' at ACT 3 Theatre
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'Puss in Boots' at Drama Centre
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'Chope' - A Theatre-in-Education Program touring schools
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
Assembly Performances in School
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
Performances touring shopping malls
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'Sang Nila Utama' performed at the beach. ACT 3 Theatrics taking theatre to audiences wherever they are.
Assembly Performances in School from 2000s
Commissioned Shows.ACT 3 Theatrics placed greater focus on work with schools and students; establishment of collaborative projects with organisations – both government & private – as tools to reach out to and involve even more young people.
Association of Banks in Singapore, MoneySense, National Heritage Board, Health Promotion Board, Ministry of Law, National Crime Prevention Council, California Raisins, the Museums, National Arts Council, Best of You Movement - Julie's Biscuit.
Theatre Shows 2001 and after
Inclusive Performances.'Peter and the Wolf' at Victoria Concert Hall. VCH Organ Series presented by SSO and produced by ACT 3 Theatrics.
Inclusive Theatre 2001 and after
Inclusive Performances.'Beyond the Rainbow', a musical celebrating Rainbow Centre's 30th anniversary. Directed by ACT 3 Theatrics founder-director, R Chandran with creative-director, Amy J Cheng playing the leading role.
Writing Workshops
Establishment of “Young Writers, Ink”, “Create & Stage”, “Young Authors Club” to signal the evolution to a ‘Children-driven Professional Theatre Company’.
Drama Workshops
Invited by NAC to pilot Arts Education Programmes for MOE kindergartens.
Drama Workshops for Special Needs
Launch of drama education programmes in Special Needs schools, in conjunction with the National Arts Council.
Storytelling Performances
Storytelling and drama programmes at Gateway Theatre (Kids Hub).
Storytelling Performances
Central storytelling at the National Day Parade.
Digital Drama Courses
Digital Drama Courses available on our website
Nov 1981
ACT 3: Living Room Theatre formed by R Chandran, Ruby Lim-Yang & Jasmin Samat Simon.
Jan 1982
'Jack and the Beanstalk' at MPH Bookstore, Stamford Road. First public performance by ACT 3
Oct 1983
'Treasure Island' @ Bras Basah Park during a Drama Festival organized by Ministry of Culture. ACT 3's first involvement in a National arts showcase event. Subsequently, commissioned pieces were performed at Singapore Festival of Arts and Young People’s Theatre.
1st July 1984
ACT 3 Theatrics established as Singapore’s first professional theatre company with a mission to take theatre out to audiences wherever they are.
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'MakanPlace - A Singapore Musical' produced and staged by ACT 3 Theatrics, Singapore's first original muscial.
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'Strawberry Shortcake Extravaganza' at World Trade Centre Auditorium. ACT 3 Theatrics first full-length theatre production staged.
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
Overseas foray to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and Canada to be part of foreign Arts Festivals.
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'The Emperor's New Clothes' at Drama Centre/Jubilee Hall/Raffles Hotel
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'Crocodile Tears' at Drama Centre
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'Repunzel' at Drama Centre
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves' at ACT 3 Theatre
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'Puss in Boots' at Drama Centre
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'Chope' - A Theatre-in-Education Program touring schools
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
Assembly Performances in School
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
Performances touring shopping malls
Theatre Shows 1984 - 2000
'Sang Nila Utama' performed at the beach. ACT 3 Theatrics taking theatre to audiences wherever they are.
Assembly Performances in School from 2000s
Commissioned Shows.ACT 3 Theatrics placed greater focus on work with schools and students; establishment of collaborative projects with organisations – both government & private – as tools to reach out to and involve even more young people.
Association of Banks in Singapore, MoneySense, National Heritage Board, Health Promotion Board, Ministry of Law, National Crime Prevention Council, California Raisins, the Museums, National Arts Council, Best of You Movement - Julie's Biscuit.
Theatre Shows 2001 and after
Inclusive Performances.'Peter and the Wolf' at Victoria Concert Hall. VCH Organ Series presented by SSO and produced by ACT 3 Theatrics.
Inclusive Theatre 2001 and after
Inclusive Performances.'Beyond the Rainbow', a musical celebrating Rainbow Centre's 30th anniversary. Directed by ACT 3 Theatrics founder-director, R Chandran with creative-director, Amy J Cheng playing the leading role.
Writing Workshops
Establishment of “Young Writers, Ink”, “Create & Stage”, “Young Authors Club” to signal the evolution to a ‘Children-driven Professional Theatre Company’.
Drama Workshops
Invited by NAC to pilot Arts Education Programmes for MOE kindergartens.
Drama Workshops for Special Needs
Launch of drama education programmes in Special Needs schools, in conjunction with the National Arts Council.
Storytelling Performances
Storytelling and drama programmes at Gateway Theatre (Kids Hub).
Storytelling Performances
Central storytelling at the National Day Parade.
Digital Drama Courses
Digital Drama Courses available on our website
R. Chandran
Founder - Director
As one of the founders of ACT 3 Theatrics, R Chandran is a revered theatre practitioner in Singapore. A professional writer, actor and director, he has written more than 150 full-length and short plays, animation & TV scripts. He also authored “I Have Touched the Moon”, “The World on Her Knees” and other books for children and teenagers. As an educator, he has created and facilitated numerous programmes for pre-school, special education and primary school children. Chandran is a member of the National Arts Council’s ‘Arts Creation Fund’ panel, and mentors BA graduate students from Lasalle College of the Arts. A working TV and theatre actor till today, he is known for his role on Mediacorp Channel 5’s ‘Meet the MP’, and was recently featured as the main storyteller at the 2016 National Day Parade.
Amy J Cheng
Creative Director
Amy is a prominent actress in Singapore and co-owner of ACT 3 Theatrics. She has a Graduate Diploma in Primary Education (High Distinction) from Murdoch University and has been nominated for both Television and Theatre Awards. As ACT 3 Theatrics’ primary program developer, she has conceptualized and taught many drama programs for mainstream and special needs schools, welfare homes and collaborated with corporations and government agencies. She is also the author and illustrator for two children’s books: ‘Silly Snigger Stripe Riper’ and ‘The World on Her Knees’. A working actress till today, Amy is most known for her role in Singapore’s classic TV series ‘Growing Up’ and the recent 2018 Hollywood Blockbuster Hit ‘Crazy Rich Asians’.
Company Milestones
- Description : Living Room
- Location : In the Living Room of Your Home
- Date : Nov 1981
- Cast : R Chandran, Ruby Lim-Yang & Jasmin Samat Simon
- Description : Living Room
- Location : In the Living Room of Your Home
- Date : Nov 1981
- Cast : R Chandran, Ruby Lim-Yang & Jasmin Samat Simon
