The Lesson

A new train station is planned for the estate, but there is little space left, and something must be demolished. What should stay and what should go?

In this participatory theatre production, facilitators will take students through a series of activities as they learn about the costs, risks, stakes, and sacrifices that come with creating a community.

Through this experience, students will be given the opportunity to explore how they value the different spaces in their own country, what their priorities and concerns are, as well as what democracy is about—the power and choice of their vote and their role and responsibility as an individual living in our society.

Director: Han Xuemei
Playwright: Li Xie

Learning Objectives

• Explore issues related to the governance of a country

• Develop a greater appreciation for competing priorities and challenges faced in decision-making and policy formulation

• Consider multiple perspectives when exploring solutions and encourage effective communication with others to resolve conflict

• Foster independent and critical thinking 

About The Lesson

The Lesson was created by Li Xie and Drama Box and made its first appearance at the Singapore International Festival of Arts 2015 to critical acclaim.

As part of the trilogy, It Won't Be Too Long, the impactful participatory performance was lauded by local media as one of the best productions of 2015. Drama Box has since adapted the piece and brought it to Taiwan in December 2016, and the International Community Arts Festival in Rotterdam in March 2017. The piece was also piloted as a theatre programme for youths at two local secondary schools in 2016, and a junior college in 2017 with the support of MOE CCEB.