In Playback Theatre, the Conductor (or facilitator) holds the delicate yet powerful role of bridging teller, audience, and ensemble. As a space-holder and guide, the Conductor listens deeply, shapes the flow of interaction, and helps transform stories into theatre that honours both the individual and the collective.
This workshop focuses on the essential skills needed for this role, offering participants opportunities to practice attentive listening, responsive questioning, and the creation of a safe, ritual frame. Through structured exercises and mini-performances, participants will explore the psychological and social dimensions of conducting, as well as the theatrical choices that bring depth and resonance to the work.
Along the way, we will attend to our own stories and experiences, strengthening a sense of community and shared learning. This is an essential Level 2 workshop corresponding to the curriculum set by the Centre for Playback Theatre, designed for performers ready to step into conducting and for conductors who wish to deepen their artistry.
The workshop is open to those who have completed Core Training (or its equivalent) or have at least 6 months of regular practice in a Playback company.
Early bird price: till 30 June 2026
Workshop registration deadline: 30 September 2026
About
Course Objectives*:
- Introduce core theories and practices of conducting in Playback Theatre.
- Build essential skills such as holding space, active listening, managing transitions, and choosing forms.
*Course content offered is in line with the curriculum set by the Centre for Playback Theatre
What You’ll Learn:
By the end of this Level 2 training, participants will:
- Understand core theoretical concepts of conducting.
- Strengthen their capacity for active listening as the foundation of conducting.
- Practise making theatrical choices—such as selecting forms and identifying deeper themes—that honour both the teller’s story and the wider audience.
- Engage in experiential exercises that build presence, confidence, and sensitivity in the role of conductor.
- Develop an understanding of the conductor’s key roles and responsibilities in performance.
Pre-requisites:
- Has completed Playback Theatre Core Training (or equivalent) or
- Has been in regular practice with an active Playback Theatre company for 6 months.
Course Schedule
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Date
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Time
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Module(s)
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Venue
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3 Oct 2026 (Sat)
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9.30am - 5.30pm
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Foundations of Conducting
- Ensemble warm-up and review of Playback forms.
- The role of the conductor: responsibilities and relationships.
- Active listening as the foundation of conducting.
- Exploring story, teller, audience, and ensemble dynamics.
- Reflection on the conductor as space-holder and guide.
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Goodman Arts Centre
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4 Oct 2026 (Sun)
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9.30am - 5.30pm
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Building Presence and ConnectionSkills in Action
- Cultivating presence and trust with tellers and audiences.
- Holding the frame: opening, transitions, and closing.
- Exercises in creating safety and connection.
- Practising clarity and responsiveness in conductor–teller dialogue.
- Reflection on relational awareness and choice-making.
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Goodman Arts Centre
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10 Oct 2026 (Sat)
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9.30am - 5.30pm
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Skills in Action
- Choosing forms and guiding enactments.
- Identifying deeper notes in a story and shaping the arc of performance.
- Conducting practice through structured mini-performances.
- Feedback and discussion on conductor choices.
- Reflection on sensitivity, timing, and ensemble collaboration.
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Goodman Arts Centre
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11 Oct 2026 (Sun)
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9.30am - 5.30pm
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Integration and Growth
- Advanced practice: managing flow, transitions, and challenges.
- Working with complexity: strong emotions, unclear stories, and group dynamics.
- Ethics and care in conducting.
- Final conducting practice with ensemble support.
- Closing reflection on conducting as an ongoing practice of artistry and responsibility.
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Goodman Arts Centre |
*Includes lunch break
About The Facilitators
Principal Trainer: Michael Cheng
Michael Cheng is an applied drama practitioner and educator from Singapore. Over the years, he has initiated and facilitated socially engaged applied arts projects with a wide range of communities, including children and youth with disabilities, seniors, and at-risk groups. In addition, Michael teaches applied drama methods as both a freelance trainer and adjunct lecturer. As an accredited Playback Theatre trainer (APTT), he has taught internationally across all levels and is currently a faculty member of the Centre for Playback Theatre’s Leadership course. He is also an accredited trainer and guide of The Listening Hour. Michael holds a Master’s in Arts Pedagogy and Practice from Goldsmiths, University of London, supported by the National Arts Council (Singapore)’s Arts Scholarship.
Assistant Trainer: Renee Chua
Renee Chua is a theatre maker, educator, and applied theatre practitioner committed to creating interdisciplinary work that engages contemporary issues through community collaboration. She founded Her Playback Theatre in 2018 to amplify women's stories and has been a core member of Tapestry Playback Theatre since 2006, using theatre to foster dialogue and social change. Her applied theatre practice spans migrant workers, youth, and seniors, addressing mental health, climate crisis, and social justice issues. Renee is an accredited trainer (APTT) and teaches Playback Theatre locally and internationally. She is also a drama educator at local institutions. Renee holds an MA (Distinction) from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with support from National Arts Council (Postgraduate) Arts Scholarship and Diploma from the Centre for Playback Theatre.
Discounts, Funding & Subsidies
Early Bird Discount [till 30 Jun 2026]
Non-SDEA Members enjoy a 5% early bird discount on the standard course fee.
SDEA Members enjoy a 25% early bird discount on the standard course fee.
SDEA Membership Discount
All SDEA Members enjoy 25% early bird discount (till 30 Jun 2026) or 20% off standard price (1 Jul - 30 Sep 2026).
SDEA Membership is a 2-year renewable membership. A one-time fee of S$40.00 is required upon application. Membership renewal is based on engagement in SDEA activities (ie. participate in at least 1 SDEA event within the 2 year period.)*
*Membership renewal condition(s) are subjected to changes. Please contact SDEA for the lastest information.
Click to apply for SDEA Membership
[Coming Soon] Tina Sergeant Professional Development Initiative (TSPDI) (Open to SDEA Members only)
The Tina Sergeant Professional Development Initiative (TSPDI) is a funding initiative by the Singapore Drama Educators Association (SDEA) to support freelance practitioners and drama educators to make professional development a regular part of their lives.
Successful applicants will be awarded up to S$500 subsidies for this course.
Click here to find out more about the initiative.
Applicants must be: Associate or Ordinary members of SDEA
[Coming soon] SkillsFuture Credit
Singaporeans aged 25 and above who are eligible for SkillsFuture Credit can apply for a claim.
Please inform SDEA upon course registration your intent to utilise your SkillsFuture Credit in part or in full for the qualifying course fee to obtain the necessary supporting documents for the claim.
Visit MySkillsFuture to check your credit balance* and for more information on the claims process.
*Only the SkillsFuture Credit from the Opening Credit is claimable for this course. The Mid-Career Credit is not applicable.
Applicants sponsored by an organisation or request for school e-billing will not be eligible for a SkillsFuture Credit claim.
Please ensure that you have registered for the course before applying for funding.
If you require any support, please contact projects@sdea.org.sg.
About SDEA CET – School of Playback Theatre
SDEA launched the SDEA CET – School of Playback Theatre, an affiliated school with the Centre for Playback Theatre (CPT) in July 2025, with applied drama practitioner and educator Michael Cheng as principal trainer.
This affiliation means SDEA’s Playback Theatre training programmes will be recognised as meeting the standards, values, and pedagogical approaches upheld by the global Playback Theatre community. This includes aligning with CPT’s mission to foster ethical, high-quality training in Playback Theatre and delivery of core curriculum elements consistent with CPT’s approved syllabi.
Students who train at SDEA CET – School of Playback Theatre will receive official recognition of completed courses and gain a formal stepping stone toward international certification in Playback Theatre.
Playback Theatre Level 2 Certification
To obtain a Playback Theatre Level 2 certification, trainees must complete 4 compulsory topic modules and 1 elective topic module. Each module is delivered as an individual workshop with a minimum of 18 training hours.
The 'workshop fulfils the 1 compulsory module.
