Young & Wild

Do you want to act professionally? Are you looking to hone your craft? Have you always wanted the opportunity to work with Singapore’s leading theatre company?

Young & Wild could be the perfect fit for you!

Under the leadership of award-winning theatre-maker and veteran drama instructor Edith Podesta, this year-long comprehensive acting programme aims to prepare promising young talents for careers in the creative industry.

Working alongside local and international theatre professionals, Young & Wild offers participants the unique opportunity to experience and learn how a professional theatre company creates work, connects with an audience, and engages with the community.

Over 10 months, the programme will explore the essential techniques required for acting on stage and screen. Modules include a foundation in European Naturalism; classes in Viewpoints, Laban and Physical Characterisation, Contemporary Play Production; and workshops on professional development and career management.

The programme will culminate in our Young & Wild ensemble presenting their own showcase as part of Wild Rice’s season.

Registration for auditions for the 2023 Young & Wild programme has closed. If you have any enquiries about the programme, please email Benjamin Lye, our programme administrator, at benlye@wildrice.com.sg.

VOICES OF YOUNG & WILD

Young & Wild Graduate Testimonials!

Over the years, our Young & Wild graduates have gone on to make waves in Singapore’s theatre industry. Many of them have returned to work with Wild Rice on our critically acclaimed main-stage productions, including Tan Shou Chen (Grandmother Tongue), Audrey Luo (The Emperor’s New Clothes), Ryan Ang (Momotaro and the Magnificent Peach) and Eve Voigtlander (Straight Acting).

Here are what some of our graduates have to say about their Young & Wild experiences!

“Participating in Young & Wild was the best decision I have made for my theatre career in Singapore. I found the acting training extremely beneficial, especially the detailed and personalised education, feedback and advice. Young & Wild opened so many doors for me and I highly recommend it to anyone who’s passionate about theatre!”

Elisha X Beston, Class of 2021

“My time with Young &Wild was fruitful. What I love about the training is how practical it was! Through the various exercises and final showcase, we were able to apply what we learnt immediately. This not only allowed me to cement my learnings but also to constantly refine my acting skills.”

Joel Low, Class of 2020

“The programme provided me valuable tools and experience to become a working actor. I am eternally grateful to Wild Rice for giving me a platform to grow into the artist I am today.”

Ryan Ang, Class of 2020

“My Young & Wild experience under Edith Podesta's tutelage has been invaluable to me as an actor. Not only was I able to widen and deepen my perspective on acting and theatre, I had the opportunity to try new things and ‘fail well’. I still carry with me many of the lessons I learnt and it has indefinitely helped me as I refine my craft and build my career.”

Shannen Tan, Class of 2019

“Young and Wild gave me the space to dig deep and the confidence to step out of my comfort zone. I graduated from the programme with my perspectives altered and an overflowing zest for life.”

Eve Voigtlander, Class of 2019

PAST YOUNG & WILD SHOWS

CANDIDE

Audience Reviews

“Most of the cast play at least two roles, or characters who undergo complete personality changes, requiring finesse and maturity to fully embody every scene... There is good energy that is displayed from all its cast members!”

Bakchormeeboy

“They were splendid!! So, so proud of them!! Bravo to Edith Podesta for directing them with such clarity!”

Petrina Kow

LOVE & INFORMATION

Audience Reviews

"This whirlwind of scenes is a barrage of lines and characters, and to see the 15 young cast members cycle through these is impressive in its own way, especially with the need to quickly change costumes and rapidly shift from one role to the another... the graduates of Young & Wild 2021 have shown with their valiant interpretation of this script, their love for the theatre coming through onstage."

Bakchormeeboy

"The multiple short stories was a very new concept of live theatre performance. Biggest props to the cast for the brilliant and quick costume changes, switching roles and bringing multiple characters to life. They may be part of Young and Wild but they are very promising as future thespians. Bravo!"

Alif Alwee

About Our Programme Director

Edith Podesta Photo Crispian Chan copy 2

Edith Podesta is a theatre-maker, choreographer and actor.  In 2017, she was awarded Best Original Script and Production of the Year for her production BITCH: The Origin of the Female Species, commissioned by the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival. Recently, her production of Leda and The Rage, commissioned and produced by The Esplanade, was awarded Production of the Year at the 2019 Straits Times Life! Theatre Awards. For eight years, she held the position of Programme Leader of the BA (Hons) Acting course at LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore. Edith is currently Wild Rice’s Associate Artistic Director for Young & Wild.