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Caring Curiosities is a three-hour interactive workshop utilizing applied drama techniques to enhance the confidence and skills of volunteers working in community settings. Participants will gain more awareness of their non-verbal communication habits, practise empathetic listening, and learn to build rapport, trust, and connection.
About t
Objectives:
- Develop awareness of non-verbal communication habits of beneficiaries
- Develop empathetic listening
- Develop skills and strategies to enhance rapport building in working with beneficiaries
Suitable For:
- Community Volunteers
- Volunteer Managers
The Facilitator:
Michael Cheng is an applied drama practitioner and educator. He works extensively with people with disabilities and youth, and has experience across a wide spectrum of communities, from seniors, married couples, people with HIV, to vulnerable populations and people-at-risk.
He has initiated, led or facilitated community theatre projects, with themes of heritage, integration, intergenerational communication, active ageing, social support, support for people in medical settings, and domestic abuse.
He was most recently resident artist (as part of SEED Collective) in a National Arts Council (NAC) Community Arts Residency (Silver Arts). The project investigated stories from senior residents in Ang Mo Kio, and included elements of community artmaking and online participatory theatre.
As an Accredited Playback Theatre Trainer (APTT), he has taught internationally at all levels of Playback, both in online and in-person settings. He is the immediate past-Chair of the Board of Directors at the Centre for Playback Theatre. He is Artistic Director of Tapestry Playback Theatre, and a Practitioner Member of the International Playback Theatre Network (IPTN). He is also a member of the Singapore Drama Educators Association (SDEA).
Michael is an adjunct lecturer at Singapore Polytechnic, imparting skills in applied drama to young and adult students. He is also an artist-educator who trains teachers and works with students in special schools. The schools he has worked with include Grace Orchard School, Fernvale Gardens School, Metta School, Rainbow Gardens, and AWWA School.
As a performer, most of his work has been with Tapestry Playback Theatre, tackling social issues in community performances. He has also performed with companies like Paper Monkey Theatre, The Necessary Stage, Drama Box, and In Source Theatre.
If you require any support, please contact projects@sdea.org.sg.
