Arts Nominees For NMPs

Hi All,

Presently, I have only articles on Arts nominee Loretta Chen. This is to try to give our viewers as much of an informed view of whom our Arts nominees are and what they represent. You may want to go to the website links which I have attached to get a better understanding of the nominee and her beliefs.

Arts Nominee: Loretta Chen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loretta_Chen

Loretta Chen is a bilingual theatre director, actor and host. Some of her directorial projects include 13 Shaolin, a Singapore-China collaboration, 24 Pieties for Toy Factory Theatre Ensemble, Ten Brothers (2005), The Vagina Monologues (2006), The Swimming Instructor (2006).

In 2007, her controversial project 251, based on the story of Singaporean porn-star Annabel Chong was nominated for two Life! Theatre Awards. She also directed the Postcards from Rosa, a monologue starring veteran actor Neo Swee Lin. In 2008, she directed Magicbox (2008), a magical extravaganza in collaboration with the creators of Mindfreak and a re-staging of The Vagina Monologues which was nominated for two Life! Theatre Awards.

Loretta is currently Treasurer of the Association of Singapore Actors (ASA) and an Associate Director of Toy Factory and Action Theatre. In 2008, she was selected by the Mayor of the Northwest CDC to sit on the Arts and Culture Committee.
She is currently the Artistic Director of Zebra Crossing Productions.
Loretta is openly lesbian.[1]
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http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/BgSty_376609_1.html

ON MS LORETTA CHAN
Loretta Chen is no different... she's openly gay and has also directed films with mainly controversial themes. She's supposed to be a nominee from the arts community but is this again a back door for more pro LGBTs to represent voice in Parliament for education? I love the arts & the many artistic talents but I resent the double standards here... Christians were accused of entering "secular" space, why should gays and lesbians have free access to this so-called 'secular' space? -- isay on Reach website
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April 23, 2009
Arts community seeks NMP

Theatre director Loretta Chen, 32, says she is willing to be a candidate By Zakir Hussain SINGAPORE'S arts community is gathering views on whom it should propose as a Nominated MP (NMP), and already a theatre director has stepped up to the plate.
She is Ms Loretta Chen, 32, who was once a member of the People's Action Party (PAP) youth wing.

She told The Straits Times yesterday: 'I've been receiving a barrage of e-mail messages and SMSes urging me to stand.

'I may not be the best person but I'm willing to learn and work hard.'

She said she left the PAP youth wing two years ago as she felt it was not the right platform for her to serve the wider community.

Other potential candidates are: artistic co-director of arts venue The Substation Audrey Wong, 40; theatre director Beatrice Chia-Richmond, 34; and jazz pianist and educator Jeremy Monteiro, 48.

Their names were suggested at a meeting of members of the arts community, held last Thursday at arts venue The White House in Emily Hill.
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http://www.asiaone.com/Just+Woman/News/Women+In+The+News/Story/A1Story20080930-90867.html

7. What made you join the Young PAP?

If you want to make a change, you have to actively make it and that means working within the political avenues.

Some people get quite disheartened, cynical and feel powerless because they keep criticising from the outside.

I say: Jump in and fight for what you believe in. Theatre is a great platform for me to be politically aware and socially involved while still being creative.

Moderator's Note: S met up with MM and asked about gay censorship. She has now left the PAP Youth Wing. Looks like much inroad was made. Since Govt opened doors for gays into civil service, the activists have well-placed people all over in Govt now.

Praetorian will try to provide further information on other nominee Audrey Wong on her views.

Regards