A household name among theatre practitioners, Jean has been practising the artform for 38 years as an actor, director and writer, having worked on notable projects like Cake Theatre’s Temple, Drama Box’s The Lesson and The Finger Players’ Poop!. In the last 25 years, she has taught a diverse range of learners, from children with special needs to teenagers in mainstream schools, seniors and students in professional theatre schools.

Her expertise has led her to design drama education programmes for students from preschool through to the tertiary level. Notably, Jean was instrumental in establishing the Theatre Training and Research Programme, now known as the Intercultural Theatre Institute, a three-year full-time professional actor-training programme.

How did you get into teaching?

I got involved in teaching projects in the early days of The Necessary Stage’s Youth Theatre programmes when we were all figuring out together how to do this. Later, I was invited by Kuo Pao Kun to help set up the Theatre Training & Research Programme (now the Intercultural Theatre Institute) and was part of the school's first batch of teaching faculty.

How do you deal with setbacks in your teaching journey?

The system is not always set up for the most vulnerable among us nor for those who are in greatest need of care and support. We just keep going and keep doing the work. It is our way of resistance.

“Even in just one drama class, you do what you can to
balance the state of things somewhat: to heal, to
transform, to play, to laugh, to cry, to learn, to
unlearn, to imagine and to create.“

Is there a particular group of students you find especially rewarding to teach?

Without a single doubt it would be my students at the Down Syndrome Association (DSA). I first taught a workshop with DSA in 1998 and became their resident drama teacher in 2003 and have been there since. Many of them journeyed with me from the beginning and it's been the most joyous, rewarding and wonder-filled journey.

If you could offer some words of wisdom and encouragement to young people who want to pursue the arts today, what would you say to them?

Work very, very hard, be humble, speak less, listen more. You are not entitled to anything. Learn how to care and love this world, build community, be brave, be accountable and responsible. Have some guts, be ethical, be kind.

What are your hopes for every batch of students you encounter?

That theatre can help to heal some of the damage that has been done unto them. I hope that they find the fire, courage, awareness and imagination to change things that need to be changed, and to live with play, freedom, joy and love.