The Aftermath (2020)

Part of KrisP. Production’s first ‘Village’ playwriting showcase

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In April 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I took online courses on Playwriting and Theatre Production. Both courses were taught over the course of 4 weeks by Singaporean theatre director Khairul Kamsani of PlayCraft Studios who is experienced in actor training. Participants are encouraged to put their newly-acquired skills into practice by self-producing a ‘graduation showcase’. With help from Kristina Pakhomova of KrisP. Production, two playwrights along with myself débuted our short pieces on 31 May 2021 to a Zoom audience of 50 people streaming in from different parts of the world.

The Aftermath was developed from an earlier draft called dis/place/d. Dis/place/d details the almost-friendship between Rhea, a young Singaporean ex-pat working in Hong Kong, and Josie, a self-obsessed colleague, and The Aftermath is the drama that ensues when Rhea confronts Josie about her faults. I wished to explore the theme of adult friendships and loneliness as it is not often talked about in mainstream media, but it is a kind of loss that permeates throughout our lives, especially in the developmental years of one’s 20s.

Synopsis

A one-act play about the loneliness that comes with missed connections, and the ways we fail to show up in friendships.

The Aftermath is part of a triple-bill showcase featuring two other artists, Renae Rufus (Hong Kong/Australia) and Rajkumar Thiagaras (Singapore).

Creative Team

Written and directed by Stephanie Renae Lau

Produced by KrisP. Production as part of their Village playwriting showcase

Performed by Agnes Hio, Stephanie Renae Lau

Stage directions read by Khairul Kamsani