Writing from the Heart Dec 2014

Workshop

“Liberating” “Unravelling” “Inspiring” “Unconventional”

These were some words the participants used to describe this Writing from the Heart by Tony Perez at 72-13/TheatreWorks from 1^st to 6^th December 2014.

Participants were brought through a journey of self-discovery, an introspection within oneself.

Unconventional as it seemed, Tony delved and drew out the participants’ hidden potential and empowered the participants to tap into their wells within.

5 minutes play in 5 days. From creation to page then to stage. Writing from the Heart brought the participants out for the first time to draw on the energy of their surroundings to inspire their works in the making!

Excited Faces!

There were flashes of light-hearted and heart-wrenching moments. As one continued to look upon the performance, they couldn’t help but be drawn into the characters and plot.

Stills from 5-minute plays

Many started out as strangers in this unfamiliar setting. But as time went by, the enduring bonds and connections forged were moving!

Say Cheese! ~

May our paths cross again!

Dibashram

Tony also visited Dibashram at Little India to conduct a one-day workshop with a group of migrant workers who were passionate and eager to learn about writing. Through a series of drawing exercises, Tony invoked memories of their life and loved ones in Bangladesh which allowed them to voice their “hearts” out.

At the end of this short encounter, many were eager to take photos with Tony as mementos of their experience through the workshop.

The journey thus far has been a wild ride through the meeting of different individuals, expressing unspoken feelings and unearthing hidden selves. Of course, it did not fall short in the joy and laughter.

Although the Writing from the Heart Dec 2014 workshop has finally come to an end, the impact it left on the participants and migrant workers was far and beyond.

Many thanks to the participants, Dibashram and those who have helped us in one way or another. And most importantly, thank you Tony Perez!

Writing from the Heart @ Dibashram Dec 2014 (Day 7)

Last Sunday, the Writing from the Heart workshop was conducted for the Bangladeshi migrant workers at Dibashram.

Before the workshop began, Tony sat down with Mohsin and the migrant workers and got to know more about them.

Tony and Mohsin

Meeting the migrant workers

As introduction, Tony got everyone to draw their “hearts” out. Using the artistic tools at hand, the group produced drawing after drawing, showcasing their creative flair.

Tony sharing his “heart”

Heartfelt Drawings

Their “hearts”

The migrant workers then shared the inspiration and motivation behind these creations. Through the sharing, the migrant workers began to uncover hidden stories of their friends and their feelings during their time here in Singapore. It was heartening to see how everyone in the space was open with one another.

My heart belongs to my homeland, Bangladesh…

The “Garden of Eden”

Admiring their masterpieces

Peculiar as it seemed, the communication exercise went on without words. The artistic conversation was quietly taking place as the migrant workers conversed with their partners through doodles and art.

Can you guess what we were “talking”?

Really abstract…

The last exercise for the day was “Paradise”. Everyone stationed themselves in front of a drawing block around Dibashram and starting drawing the ‘paradise’ they envisioned.

Just as they were completing their artworks, the migrant workers were exiled from their ‘paradise’ and had to move on to a different drawing. After a couple of times, they were allowed to go back to their original piece of drawing at last, only to realise that their ‘paradises’ underwent quite a bit of change.

Through the drawing exercises, Tony led the workers on a journey of self-discovery and self-empowerment. It was heart-warming and inspiring to see how everyone cheered their fellow countrymen to hold onto their dreams and aspirations.

At the end of the workshop, everyone wanted to take photos with Tony!

Thank you Mohsin for the support and also to all the migrant workers who took their time off to attend this Writing from the Heart  workshop by Tony Perez!

It was definitely a memorable night for those in Dibashram and members of TheatreWorks!

Writing from the Heart @ 72-13 Dec 2014 (Day 6)

Saturday was the final session of Writing from the Heart workshop at 72-13/TheatreWorks.

Do you think anyone can be inspired by this inconspicuous mark that stained the floor? Well, the participants did.

Drawn to the mark

The space fell silent, as the participants were deeply engrossed as they were tasked to write. It was incredible how these pieces of creative writing sprang out from this unseeingly black mark on the weathered wooden floor.

Afterwhich, the participants shared their writings.

Listening Intently

It came as a lovely surprise when one of the participants was asked to sing by Tony. As she warmed up to the group, the lyrics of the song began to resonate with her heart and soul, as though she was exuding a warm light of honesty.

Listening to the lovely singing angel

Singing for you

Mesmerized by our lovely singing angel

Touched by her voice

To give birth to a piece of writing, many factors have to come into play and one of them is definitely the environment. For their final piece of artwork, the participants drew their own dream room.

Ikea is life!

“I want to sleep in my hammock surrounded by my books!”

The group then went on to an emotional truth exercise. Everyone gathered together as Tony drew out different sub-personalities from one of the participant.

Listening intently…

The morning session ended with a Pizza Lunch from Sarpino! The participants took the time to catch up and know more about the group whilst enjoying those delicious pizza slices.

Pizza Lunch!

Finished in seconds…

As the time for the 5-minute plays drew nearer, everyone was excited and nervous.

Before the big event

It’s near…

During the workshop, some of the participants wrote a 5-minute script and spent time each night working with their cast members. It was finally time for everyone to taste the sweet fruit of their labour!

The Howling by Tiara

Step-up by Jezreel

Janet by Ahmad

 

The Reason Why by Gemia

The Opti(o)n by Shen

Dream Cup by Faizal

Circle by Liting

Circle by Isaac

The session ended on a high as the game of perception began. Tony asked the participants 30 questions and everyone would give to one person they felt best fit the description.

Most well-loved opinion maker!

In this short week, the participants went through a tumultuous emotional journey, redefining the notion of writing and discovering more about themselves. This workshop has indeed been a liberating and rewarding experience for everyone!

Writing from the Heart participants with Tony Perez

Writing from the Heart @ 72-13 Dec 2014 (Day 5)

“Absorb, be sensitive to the surrounding. ” – Tony Perez

Tony led the participants on a dream journey this Session 5 of Writing from the Heart !

Writing the dream entries out

The session started off with everyone intrigued and amazed as Tony interpreted the participants’ dreams from the previous night,  as the mystery hidden behind the dreams were unraveled.

Engaged in discussion

After Tony’s demonstration, the group broke out into fours and began analysing one of the dream entries.

With completion of the “super ego”, each of these masterpiece trilogies paved way to having a clearer reflection of themselves.

Writing from the Heart’s very own art gallery

The session ended with everyone having a good laugh at the spontaneous responses they came up with upon seeing a picture.

Model students preparing for the “competition”

Must memorise everything!

Okay, so it’s like this…

Through this final exercise, the participants have a better understanding on the power of observation and creation. With an open heart and the creative juices ready, their writings are ready to flourish with depth and colour!

Writing from the Heart @ 72-13 Dec 2014 (Day 4)

“One should confront the shadow. Make your shadow your ally. Swallow you shadow. They are the main source of creativity.” — Tony Perez

Session Four of Writing from the Heart began with drawing exercises. The participants unleashed their visual creative flair to draw their “hearts” out.

Drawing our “hearts” out

Artists at work!

After much time spent on perfecting their artworks, participants went on to write a short creative writing to illustrate their inspiration behind these visual interpretations of themselves.

My “Heart”

 

I am an “apple” of your eye

Just smile and never stop walking!

In peace with myself…

Tony shared more insights about the three aspects of humanity. Shortly after, the participants were taken on a silent, journey of self-discovery as they began to confront their fears, their shadows. It was emotionally gripping as they revealing their dark side to everyone.

Sharing his “shadow”

Hauntingly Beautiful…

As the participants began to unearth those once hidden gems, they are one step closer to writing truthfully, one step closer to Writing from the Heart!

Writing from the Heart @ 72-13 Dec 2014 (Day 3)

“Like how an artist must know how to draw. A writer must master the stoic of a writer if not he cannot deconstruct a story.” — Tony Perez

We are halfway into Writing from the Heart.

From words to phrases, then from sentences to storylines for a one-act play, Tony challenged the writers by stimulating and stretching their imagination — throwing out different stimuli. From an ordinary item such as a snicker bar, the writers tapped on their infinite well from within and drew upon creative juices. Absurb as it might seemed, they were able to craft out interesting stories and dialogues, despite to only have a minute!

Spontaneous Writing in-process

Be Inspired!

The group also went through an exercise that attempted to expand their communication skills. Participants had to describe the object they were given to their partners through the use of shapes and sizes.

Draw what I “shape”

The ‘clock’ continues to ‘tick’ as one speaks

Showcasing a few masterpieces by our participants!

The session ended with “Question Time” by Tony Perez!

The participants were each placed in a tight situation. Only allowed to give a dichotomous response, the exercise allowed the participants to know more about the perception others had about them. It was indeed refreshing to hear many unusual reasonings that actually made sense.

Ultimately, everyone had their fun today!

Are you ready?

Writing from the Heart @ 72-13 Dec 2014 (Day 2)

“The key of exercises is to enjoy even if it scares you. It may not hit you now, but it will in the future” —Tony Perez 

We are on to the second session of Writing from the Heart.

The session unfolded with Tony introducing human defense mechanisms. He likened writing as a form of martial arts, exchanging the right blows at an appropriate time to protect oneself.

Tony introducing the human defense mechanisms

Writers were then tasked to write a creative dialogue, incorporating at least 2 defence mechanisms.

Writing in Progress

During the sharing, the room was filled with spontaneous, hilarious yet thought-provoking conversations.

Deeply Engrossed…

The main highlight of the day was the “Art Gallery”. What is this “Art Gallery”? Tony started off by sharing his chosen 5 objects and telling bits and pieces of the poignant memories of his life. The writers are then asked to present 5 items to tell more about themselves.

Rummaging through the bags

I am done?

Let’s take a peek at some of their personal belongings!

Some items look pretty familiar don’t they? Similar items may be found in your bag.

Bit by bit, the participants began to understand even more about one another through the history of their personal belongings; and also a little more about themselves!