In Youthful Company 2025

Esplanade Presents

Storytelling

The Asian Girl Speaks

Ashley Koh (Singapore)

2 Apr 2025, Wed, 6.45pm & 7.45pm

30mins

(Intermission: None)

Esplanade Concourse

Free
not cache
Synopsis
Synopsis

Asian girls often come across quiet and timid, probably because of our upbringing. We were told to “Be quiet!” a lot, growing up. But just because we don’t say much, doesn’t mean we don’t have much to say. At 17, Ashley packed all her frustrations with being a teenager in the Singapore education system, into a bestselling poetry book Claw Machine. At 20, she is back with a vengeance. This time, instead of utilising the written form, she’s baring her feelings as an Asian girl through spoken word. Her good friend Jemma will be around to be an accompanist and to make sure she doesn’t lose her head like she lost her jacket a week ago.

Advisory:

No tickets will be issued. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Language: English
Things to Note:
Accessibility: All our venues are wheelchair-accessible. We offer various services to support patrons with access needs. For assistance, please contact Esplanade Customer Experience at 6828 8377. To learn more, read our accessibility guide.
Artist Information

Ashley Koh

Instagram

Ashley Koh is a 20-year-old Psychology and Linguistics student at NUS who moonlights as a poet. She’s also a blatant liar who says “Long story short,” and proceeds to tell the long story instead. She has spoken at the Singapore Writer’s Festival and held various book talks, which were great because people usually involuntarily listen to her ramble. Ashley’s favourite hobbies include overthinking all her interactions at 3am, refusing to drink water and procrastinating. Her latest poetry book, Claw Machine is an outlet to express her long-term angst about being a teenager studying in Singapore, and more immediately to express her anger at claw machines being rigged.

Date & Time

2 Apr 2025, Wed

6.45pm

Esplanade Concourse

7.45pm

Esplanade Concourse
ESPLANADE&ME

Become a member

Three membership cards depicting each membership tier, Discover, White and Black.

Great arts experiences begin with Esplanade&Me. Join this membership to enjoy ticket specials on shows at Esplanade, early bird specials, promotions at Esplanade Mall, unlimited access to Offstage and more.

Never miss a show again. Get on our mailing list.