Norisham Osman, 30, is the artistic director of The Kaizen M.D., a local performing arts collective under the Malay Heritage Centre's Arts Incubation Programme 2014-2015, where participants are mentored and offered a platform to showcase their works.
As part of this year's Malay CultureFest, the collective will perform their graduation showcase, The Path To Revival, about the Acehnese people's struggle after the 2004 tsunami and looking to the arts as a healing medium. The performance combines dance, live music and film.
The collective has collaborated with performers from Aceh on the show, which will run this weekend at 8.30pm each night at the centre. Admission is free.
Norisham, a bachelor, lives in a four-room HDB flat in Ang Mo Kio with his parents and elder brother.
Do you have a regular weekend haunt?
I like to get back to nature and go to parks such as East Coast Park, Labrador Park and Upper Peirce Reservoir Park. I travel to Pulau Ubin frequently too.
They are away from the busy work environment and I feel calm when I am surrounded by greenery.
It reminds me of my teenage years when I was a freelance outdoor camp instructor. My colleagues and I used to plan barbecues, pitch tents, fish and swim weekly.
Everyone is now busy with his own life and family.
Which eating joints are on your hit list?
One place I always go to is Kampong Glam Cafe on Bussorah Street.
I head there with fellow artists from various disciplines and we discuss productions and cook up future projects.
I always have my special order of nasi goreng daging putih (fried rice with meat and no chilli), with no vegetables, and a cup of kopi gajah (a large cup of coffee). The staff recognise me and know that's my order.
What is one thing you refuse to do on your days off?
I refuse to stay home during my days off. It's routine for me to be out so I associate being home with sleep and resting. I prefer to go out and meet people.
Is there an activity related to your job that you cannot help doing in your spare time?
My fellow dance members and I can't help but break into dance at random times and places, such as in the rain or at Fort Canning Park.
Sometimes, when you suddenly have an idea or are inspired, you just have to move. It has become a part of my lifestyle.
What is a good weekend to you?
A good weekend to me means doing something that gets me back to nature and spending quality time with family and friends.
Gurveen Kaur
