ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
CLAIRE DEVINE (Singapore)
Claire Devine has lived and worked in Singapore, as a theatre professional since 1996. An accomplished theatre director, educator and facilitator with ‘amazing energy and captivating presence’ Ken Wall, World renowned creativity and innovation guru, 2007.
Artistic Director of the Asian Youth Theatre Festival (2017- to date) – the largest youth theatre festival in Asia and the AYTF Residency Programme, that both serve to educate, inspire and unite Asian youths through the artistic sharing of pedagogy, practice and performance.
Artistic Director of Buds Theatre, a fringe theatre company providing theatre as a vehicle for change. Most recent theatre credits include: Community project Going Local 1-3, Singapore Memory Project (2015), Pigeons (2015) It’s a Father’s Day (2016), Don’t Kancheong Kiasi & Kiasu (2017), MBS Musical Theatre Revue (2017) for Buds Theatre. spell#7 National Language Class Installation (2015), National Language Class (2016). Commissioned by the National Gallery Singapore, for their inaugural opening. Artistic Director of Arts Programme, Play Me I’m Yours, Singapore (2016-17).
Co-designer of the popular “Stagecraft” program offered by The Thinking Network™ and an accredited practitioner and user of the Neethling Brain Instrument.
Claire has worked with multiple organisations including but not limited to: The Law Society Singapore/Brunei, Singapore Actuarial Society, TSMP Law Firm, Apple Sg, Crimson Logic, UBS and coordinator of the HEADSS-UP Training programme for KK Women and Children’s Hospital.
Claire also co-created the current Voice Production and Studies course elective at NTU and facilitated for both the aforementioned programme and the Theatre Games programme, for the Visual & Performing Arts Department, National Institute of Education.
Published by Greenwich University Press in 2007, by Kanes Rajah PhD: Chapter 2 Stagecraft – The key to effective communication, presentation and public speaking.
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
SAHIRRAH (Singapore)
As the Founder of FAT CAT THEATRICS, Sahirrah embarked on her journey through the arts with the support of a Singapore National Arts Council Scholarship, laying the foundation for her rewarding career. In 2012, she proudly earned her BA (Hons) in Theatre Arts with a major in Acting from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom. This academic background kindled her passion for theater and its capacity to inspire and empower.
Throughout her dynamic and extensive decade-long journey in theatre, Sahirrah has made her mark on stages worldwide. She’s been a notable presence in both local and international theatre, gracing stages in various global locations, such as Sydney, Australia, for their “Short N Sweet Festival,” Dhaka, Bangladesh, for their International Theatre festival, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. Her performances have also shone with esteemed theatre companies in Singapore like Buds Theatre and Teater Ekamatra. Beyond her acting prowess, Sahirrah’s multifaceted involvement in the theatre world includes roles as a producer and a proficient Stage manager where she manages productions at prestigious venues like the Victoria Concert Hall in Singapore and The Esplanade Theatre, among others.
Beyond her theatrical endeavors, Sahirrah is a dedicated theatre educator. For over 15 years, she has shared her knowledge and passion with over 20 schools, leaving an indelible mark on students’ creative journeys. Her teaching portfolio extends from directing SYF (Singapore Youth Festival) productions to crafting engaging enrichment programs, immersive camps, and comprehensive lesson plans.
Sahirrah firmly believes in the collaborative nature of theatre. Her extensive experience collaborating with multiple theatre and education companies, serving as a director and advisor, has instilled in her a deep appreciation for the importance of collaborating with artists from diverse fields. She recognises that the arts can provide a holistic and enriching experience for the community and is committed to fostering these partnerships. Sahirrah is very excited to be part of the AYTF Family!
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS MANAGER
NIKKI CIMAFRANCA (Philippines)
Nikki Cimafranca is a freelance artist-teacher, choreographer and director. He started his work in theater in 2006 and since then he has been involved in several productions as a performer, choreographer, director, production designer and even as a stage manager. Taytayan ni Fabian, Pepe and Me, Popoy Buknoy: The Wander Boys, Ahh..Bakus, Scharon Mani and Dagit to name a few.
Nikki is a PETA trained artist who facilitates various workshops for children, young people and adult. He earned his degree in Bachelor of Secondary Education at NORSU (Negros Oriental State University). He has also received various trainings organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in the field of dance, directing, stage productions, festivals and the like.
Currently, he is a member of YATTA (Youth Advocates Through Theater Arts) which won TAYO (Ten Accomplished Youth Organization) in 2008. YATTA also organized TANGHAL 6 in 2012, a Visayas wide theater festival for schools, colleges, universities and community-based theater organizations.
Nikki has also participated in IETM (International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts) in Australia in May 2014. He was also a delegate in the first Asian Youth Theater Festival in Singapore last October 2017.
As a dancer, Nikki is also an affiliated member of the Kahayg Dance Company, which participated in various cultural festivals overseas such as Korea and Taiwan. He is also the artistic adviser of YANO (Young Advocates of Negros Oriental) under the theater ministry of UCCP (United Church of Christ in the Philippines). At present, he continues to do cultural, community and advocacy work with YATTA.
YOUTH AMBASSADOR
MASTURAH OLI (Singapore)
Masturah Oli is an actor, host and theatre-maker. She graduated with BA (Hons) in Theatre Arts from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, validated by the University of Essex (East 15 Acting School). She was awarded Best Graduate and represented her cohort as Valedictorian. Masturah was also a recipient of the MENDAKI Special Achievement Award for Excellence (SAAE), Anugerah MENDAKI Award (2017) and the SINDA Excellence Award (2017).
Some of her roles in Theatre include: Opposition (The Necessary Stage & Drama Box, 2022), Blank Can Change (The Necessary Stage, 2021) Unsolicited Advice From my Ex (Bored Whale Theatre, 2021), Acting Mad (The Necessary Stage, 2019), Anak Melayu (Teater Kami, 2019), Rubber Girl on the Loose (Cake Theatre, 2019), Step Outta Line (M1 Fringe Festival, 2018), Breathless: The Mixtape (Buds Theatre, 2017) and Pursuant: The Musical (Singapore Lyric Opera, 2013).
Masturah is also a theatre educator, she teaches Drama programmes at Assumption English Secondary School, Raffles Junior College, Fairfield Methodist Secondary School, Marymount Convent School and Carpe Diem at ITE Central and Toh Yi School House.
As of July 2022, Masturah is the Co-Artistic Director of Buds Theatre Company. She is honoured to be leading the company and looks forward to continue lifting Buds to greater heights.
Masturah has been the Youth Ambassador for the Asian Youth Theatre Festival since its inception in 2017. She believes in using theatre to bridge cultures and is constantly building new working relationships across the world.
STAGE MANAGER
ZAHRAH BINTE HALIL (SINGAPORE)
Zahrah Binte Halil is a student at ITE College Central, interning with Buds Theatre until February 2024. As an intern she is responsible for all the technical requirements for the company. Zahrah will be Stage-Managing at AYTF23. It will be the first time Zahrah has travelled to the Philippines for work and is excited to learn as much as she can.
Past work includes – ITE Vocal Xchange 2022, ‘23 as Sound Assistant and Asst. Stage Manager respectively. EP Launch for local Singapore band “Chasing Daylight” as Asst. Stage Manager and Stage Managed the National Day Ceremony in ITE College Central.
For her Final Year Project in Yr 1, Zahrah Production Managed the entire project while juggling her leadership CCA. Owing to her diligence and competency, she was awarded the Eagles Award (2020) & (2023), Edusave Character Award (2020) & (2023) during her term as Vice Chairperson of the Audio-Visual Club in secondary school, and President in ITE Leadership Club, Student Icon.
STAGE MANAGER
VAISHNAVI (SINGAPORE)
Vaishnavi is a student at ITE College Central, interning with Buds Theatre until February 2024. As an intern she is responsible for all the technical requirements for the company. Vaishnavi will be stage-managing AYTF23 in the Philippines.
Past work includes – LAMC ‘Aristocrats’ and ‘The Piano Guys’ in February and March 2023. In Feb 2023, she was a stage manager for the ITE Singer Songwriter showcase and in 2022, she was assistant stage manager for ITE Vocal Xchange. In ITE Vocal Xchange 2023, she was head of sound During her first-year project, she was Assistant Production Manager.
She is a dancer and is also studying Higher Nitec in Performance Production at ITE College Central. Vaishu started her dance journey with 10 Square The Rice Company Limited in 2018. She has since grown to be a more confident dancer and person, enabling herself to dive into her curiosities in the area of dance. Overall, Vaishnavi hopes to purse and further her studies in performance management.
FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER
KELLY HENG (SINGAPORE)
Kelly Heng is a student at ITE College Central, interning with Buds Theatre until February 2024. As an intern she is responsible for administration of the company and will manage the Front of House for the Asian Youth Theatre Festival.
Past work includes – F1 Singapore Grand Prix for 2 years as Grandstand official and info booth ambassador, attaining the prestigious Service Excellence Award in 2022 and Outstanding Performance Award in 2023.
She has 7 years of experience in theatre in Scriptwriting, Directing, Stage managing, producing, Props, sound, and acting. With White Light productions, 2017-2021, she and her team clinched 1st runner-up for the Human Values Drama Festival 2018 and 2020 and attained Distinction in Singapore Youth Festival Distinction 2017 and 2019. In 2022 – to date she is a member of ITE Theatrical Ensemble, where she stage managed (DNA) 2023 and is the current Club President.
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
FIRDAUS CHOW (SINGAPORE)
Nor Firdaus Chow Wen Hui is a student in ITE college central studying higher nice in Motion Graphics, currently interning at Buds Theatre until 2024. As an intern he is responsible for marketing and social media for the company and will keep you all updated during the Asian Youth Theatre Festival, in the Philippines.
Past work includes –NEmation competition where he made it into the top 10, a compilation called ‘Creating Tomorrow’, organised by Temasek Polytechnic. He is a member of ITE Theatrical Ensemble CCA and acted as one of the main characters in the show during ITE College central National day celebration.