2025 COLLECTION : FINAL-YEAR PROJECT

After Rain, We Breathe is a physical theatre piece directed by Ms Beverly Yuen which portrays the living experience of emotional & physical pain due to a knee injury. The production showcases the journey of recovery, mental struggles and perseverance of never giving up. 

After Rain, We Breathe was a collaborative Final Year Project between two teams, DATM_01 and DATM_09, with DATM_01 serving as the management team. I proactively volunteered for the roles of Volunteer & Front of House Manager and Assistant Marketing Coordinator, taking responsibility for key operational and audience-facing aspects of the production.

Drawing on my internship experience, I led volunteer coordination and front-of-house operations while supporting marketing efforts, contributing to the smooth planning and execution of the production through effective communication, organisation, and teamwork.

Being given the opportunity to showcase my creativity freedom in curating my own take of the After Rain, We Breathe experience was one of the highlights of the final-year project. I had carefully designed the decorations and posters for the production to the client's artistic vision, incorporating my own symbolisms and interpretations. Ensuring that the audience's journey in getting the full experience of the production. 

Liaising with the client's physiotherapist, Ms Wendy Ng, in designing the front-of-house activities to ensure that the activities are not only fun and enriching but scientifically accurate with the teachings of human behaviour. 

I had the opportunity to lead and coordinate over 100 volunteers across multiple departments, including Set & Props, Backstage, Marketing, Administration & Logistics, Musicians, and Front of House. I was responsible for briefing volunteers on their roles and responsibilities for After Rain, We Breathe before each rehearsal and show, as well as managing and documenting their service-learning hours in accordance with Republic Polytechnic’s Designing Your Impact (DYI) Programme.

Beyond operational duties, I valued building rapport with the volunteers and fostering a supportive working environment. I was particularly grateful for their professionalism and adaptability, as they consistently responded positively to feedback and demonstrated improvement after each performance day.

As the Assistant Marketing Coordinator, I supported the recruitment of volunteer photographers for rehearsals and show days, ensuring consistent visual documentation of the production process. I documented the necessary documentation and coordination to ensure that the promotional Instagram posts were published on schedule and that content was uploaded during the bump-in period.

In addition, I designed the promotional and precautionary posters displayed across the venue to communicate essential information to the audiences and promote our client’s social media platforms.

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT, COMMUNICATION & STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT 
Through this production, I further developed the skillsets cultivated during my internship, facilitating collaboration, communication, and stakeholder engagement. I approached my Final Year Project as an opportunity to reflect on and refine earlier challenges, applying these lessons with greater intentionality and professionalism.

Building on my experience managing over 50 volunteers in the Year 1 Youth Corps Leadership Programme, I led a larger and more diverse volunteer team through structured organisation and clear communication, creating an environment that supported learning, accountability, and teamwork. I grew more confident in liaising with key personnel to clarify operational requirements and support the execution of the production, such as coordinating Front-of-House activities with Ms Wendy.

This experience strengthened my understanding of leadership in terms of coordination, facilitation and guidance which aligns with my aspiration to pursue History and Education, where communication and the ability to support learning are central.

LEARNING TO BE A DEPENDABLE TEAMMATE

I had always preferred working individually. However, through this production, I learned to embrace collaborative teamwork. I came to understand that the individual contributions we made were part of a larger, interconnected whole. Essentially each “piece” plays an important role to the success of the production. 

By learning to communicate effectively and leverage each team member’s strengths, we were able to work cohesively, respecting and adapting to each other’s working styles. This experience highlighted the importance of collaboration and mutual support. 

PROJECT PLANNING AND EXECUTION
Through this production, I was entrusted with curating and executing the design of the production’s Front-of-House experience. Drawing on my project planning skills that I have  developed during my time at Republic Polytechnic, I applied critical thinking to prepare and adapt to the Front-of-House configuration to ensure smooth operations and successful outcomes. By adopting a problem-solving mindset, I proactively identified potential challenges and developed contingency plans to address them, minimising disruptions and maintaining a seamless audience experience.

This experience allowed me to grow into a more mature and analytical practitioner in event planning and coordination, skills that will be valuable in any career path I pursue. Moreover, this reflection serves as a record of my personal and professional growth, forming part of my evolving journey . My history of how I have developed as an individual and as a leader.