This new scheme is part of the theatre company’s New & Now initiative, which is dedicated to developing new and original writing for the Singapore stage in a structured, sustainable way.
“New plays are the lifeblood of theatre, but they need the right conditions to rise,” says Ivan Heng, Founding Artistic Director of Wild Rice. “That’s where The Rice Cooker comes in – giving playwrights the essential ingredient for developing their plays: test audiences. These dramatised readings let writers taste what works, tweak the recipe, and refine their plays to serve up a feast for the imagination!”
At the same time, the company announced that it will be opening a submissions window for new plays. Playwrights can submit a maximum of one script each from 3 March to 30 April 2025.
“We’re looking for plays with a flash of urgency, an innate theatricality, and a sense that audiences will find something fresh, potent, and surprising in these stories,” says Joel Tan, who leads Wild Rice’s literary team, in partnership with Centre 42, to ensure that all submitted scripts are read.
This open call is part of Wild Rice’s ongoing commitment to engaging with as many writers as possible.
“It’s especially important to keep our channels open to writers who may not be known to us, and who might not have access to networks and platforms to have their plays read and developed,” adds Joel.
“From last year’s submissions alone, two plays – Homepar and kink – have gone into The Rice Cooker this year. And we found enough writers to form two Writers’ Groups, in which playwrights support one another as they write a new play with us. That’s why we’re excited to call for more submissions – this will enable us to keep building a pipeline of new and original work for the Singapore stage.”
The four plays that will be part of the Rice Cooker’s inaugural series of dramatised readings include:
- VOX POPULI by Jo Tan (28 – 30 March): In this dark, deranged dystopian comedy, Govfrey – an A.I. android created by a government ministry – starts learning from Singaporean TikTok trends, forums and comments sections at an alarming speed. A wild, unexpected ride into Smart Nation 3.0, Vox Populi delves into themes like online clout, artificial intelligence, and how we Singaporeans use our voices online – or don’t.
- HOMEPAR by Mitchell Fang (21 or 22 June): To power through a tough break-up and celebrate their evolving gender identity, Oliver hosts a homepar – a secret house party that recreates the gay nightclub atmosphere – with their closest friends in the home they share with their widowed mother, Hui. But what happens when the dreaded knock on the door comes at 4am?
- KINK by Jaryl George Solomon (21 or 22 June): Two’s company but three’s a good time… right? kink explores how an innocent anniversary gift of a threesome can unfurl into a night of surprising scrutiny. Boyfriends Andrew and Daniel are forced to confront the foundation of their relationship as Jay realises that his invitation comes with some peculiar expectations.
- MUNDUR SINGAPURA: THE SECOND WAVE OF QUEER SINGAPOREAN THEATRE by Ng Yi-Sheng (21 – 22 November): A kaleidoscopic romp through the rabak 90s and early noughties of queer plays, mapped against the backdrop of loosening restrictions, daring experimentation and parliamentary debates about Section 377A.
Tickets for Vox Populi are on sale now for $20. Ticketing and casting information for the remaining dramatised readings will be announced later this year via Wild Rice’s website and social media channels. For media enquiries, please contact Linda Tan at lindatan@wildrice.com.sg.
