Migrant workers on their lived experiences

The migrant community in Singapore is oftentimes as distant from the public eye as the workers are from their families, friends and cultures. From the strict movement protocols that they follow to their living conditions and mental health, the events that transpired this past year have surfaced a different experience of the pandemic for them.

Their conversations and stories are shared in and so we dance, a work commissioned by Esplanade's da:ns festival in 2021. This social project wove their life experiences and stories into a devised performance using dance as a medium, revealing their strengths, vulnerabilities and hopes for the future. At times reflective, emotional and playful, and so we dance was created in collaboration with dance choreographer Dapheny Chen and community theatre practitioner Serena Ho, shedding light on the lives of the people behind Singapore’s largely invisible workforce, who are part of our community.

This featurette brings us through this journey, documenting their resilience and dedication.

“This piece is a patchwork of lived experiences—a
celebration of universal moments that provide us with
intersections, and an investigation of the idiosyncratic
that makes us unique and human.“

Serena Ho, Dramaturg / Co-Director of and so we dance