The play, set in 1960s Singapore, follows a visually-impaired girl who strives to revive an entertainment club. It featured the pioneer batch of ART:DIS’ performing arts training programme, BEYOND DIS:PLAY.
When Ser watched the play, which had accessible features like a narrator on stage providing audio descriptions, she was stunned.
“I was so impressed and inspired. I never thought a blind person like me could be on stage and acting in theatre,” she said.
At that time, Ser had returned to the workforce after nearly 20 years as a stay-at-home mum. Since 2020, she has been a junior chef in a hotel.
The performance stirred something in her. “The interest I had for acting was suddenly alive again,” she said. “I told myself, I need to know how I can do it too, so I got my husband to send an email to the director.”
The email was addressed to Peter Sau, ART:DIS’ head of artistic development in performing arts. The two met, and in May this year, Ser enrolled in the second cohort of BEYOND DIS:PLAY, which took place on Sunday afternoons.
Despite the chronic pain and fatigue from her lupus, which Ser continues to manage with medication, she felt energised and refreshed after every training session, which can last five hours.
“My whole Sunday was for the programme,” Ser said. “But even though my weekdays were for work and I get very tired, I’m still so happy on Sundays – Sundays with ART:DIS are my special me time.”
