Robin Seong Yun Loon

After being awarded the NUS-OGS, Robin Loon received his PhD from Royal Holloway University of London in 2004. His PhD research focused on how to read intercultural theatre using TheatreWorks' Intercultural Trilogy as case studies. His current research/teaching interests include popular culture and performance, Singapore Theatre (with special focus on Singapore English Language Theatre), media and performance. Robin received his BA, BA (Hons) [2.1] and MA (his research was on the Taiwanese Opera) from NUS.

An active participant in the Singapore English Language Theatre scene since 1991, Robin Loon has also written for the local stage. His work in theatre now mainly involves dramaturgy and play-writing. He has maintained a close working relationship with TheatreWorks (S) Ltd, a leading English Language theatre company in Singapore, and its artistic director Ong Keng Sen. His most recent work with Ong includes: 120 - a site specific project commissioned and performed at the National Museum of Singapore (2007); Geisha - an intercultural production staged in Singapore, New York's Lincoln Centre, Sweden & Hong Kong (2006). He is also the Head of the TheatreWorks' Writer's Laboratory (2007-2008).

Robin Loon is also a practising playwright and dramaturg. He was co-commissioning dramaturg with Kok Heng Luen (Dramabox) for a directors' development platform called FULL FRONTAL (Singapore Arts Festival 2007-2009), commissiong dramaturg for content creation platform called OPEN STUDIO (Singapore Arts Festival 2010-2012). He conceptualized and runs Singapore first Dramaturg Apprentice Programme at Centre 42 in 2015 and co-organized the inaugural Asian Dramaturgs' Network Symposium in 2016, founded by Dr Lim How Ngean. His recent works as a playwright include: LIFT: LOVE IS FLOWER THE (Jeff Chen & Theatreworks, 2013); CASTING BACK (Singapore Esplanade 10th anniversary commission, 2012), MATA HATI (Teater Ekamatra, 2011), DNR (ABVTRI, 2011), LAN FANG CHRONICLES (Choy Ka Fai & Cube8, 2010). His previous work, DESTINIES OF FLOWERS IN THE MIRROR, was revived by CAKE THEATRICALS in 2009. In 2012, he translated Chay Yew's A LANGUAGE OF THEIR OWN into Mandarin for special Singapore Arts Festival Commissioned production: 男男自语.

In 2014, together with Casey Lim, Chiu Chien Seen and Michele Lim, Robin Loon set up Centre 42, a up-stream content-creation centre for Singapore theatre in partnership with the National Arts Council. He is the chief consultant of Centre 42 and also the chair of the board of directors. He is in charge of conceptualizing and overseeing the many platforms and programmes organized by the centre which documents, creates and promotes writing for the Singapore stage.

Current Research

• Singapore English Language Theatre
• Dramaturgy as discursive and creative practice
• Creative and practice-based pedagogy
• Performance and performativity in media and popular culture
• Postmodern aesthetics in theatre

Research Interests

• Modernising traditional theatre and performance
• Sexuality in theatre and performance
• The practice of translation in Theatre
• Documenting and memorializing through Theatre

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Royal Holloway, University of London (1999 — 2004)
• Master of Arts - MA National University of Singapore (1994 — 1997)
• Bachelor of Arts with Honours National University of Singapore (1992 — 1993)
• Bachelor of Arts - BA National University of Singapore (1989 — 1992)