My Perfect Weekend with playwright, director and actress Deonn Yang
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Director Deonn Yang (foreground) and the cast of the production, The Bird Who Was Afraid Of Heights.
PHOTO: ESPLANADE – THEATRES ON THE BAY
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Who: Deonn Yang, 30, is a local freelance theatre actress and director. She is also an associate artist of The Necessary Stage and wrote and directed the play White, All White, presented by the home-grown theatre company in October 2024.
Her notable theatre credits include Straight Acting, produced by Wild Rice, which earned her a Best Actress nomination at The Straits Times Life Theatre Awards 2022 for her portrayal of Olivia, one-half of a lesbian couple who want a baby.
She is currently directing Playtime! The Bird Who Was Afraid Of Heights, an Esplanade production adapted from Farah Bagharib-Kaltz’s book of the same name. This theatrical experience, designed for children aged three to six, runs until March 16.
“Being a freelancer is great because I get to set my own routine and pace. However, some months, I am busier than others, which means that my perfect weekend also changes with the season of my work.
Some weekends, all I crave is alone time. On other weekends, I recharge by being with my loved ones.
If I really want to pack the weekend with activities, I would watch a matinee of a theatre show and then unpack it over a post-show tea. Or I would meet my friends for dinner and have a games night.
We make it a plan to try and meet once a month, if not for games night, then at the very least to hang out.
The most memorable games night was when we tried to squeeze in as many games as we could in a night. We usually warm up with something simple like Secret Hitler or a princess matching card game, when we have to be child-inclusive.
Deonn Yang (second from left) with her friends at a session of game night.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF DEONN YANG
Depending on where the night takes us, we might end up somewhere between (board games) Betrayal At House On The Hill and Restaurant Rivals. Restaurant Rivals is our favourite way to end the night.
I recall once, we were all exhausted, but we still really wanted to hang out with one another. We squeezed in one more round of Restaurant Rivals. At the end of it, we almost regretted our decision because we were so exhausted. But come the next games night, we would do the same thing again.
I also enjoy spending a day in Joo Chiat trying to find the best banh mi for lunch; having some fresh bakes at Bingo, which is one of my favourite places; and then ending the day off with some Thai food for dinner.
Deonn Yang’s favourite spot for fresh bakes is Bingo, a bakery in Joo Chiat.
PHOTO: DEONN YANG
Other times, my weekend might just be catching up with a friend over a cup of teh tarik. I am a simple girl with simple pleasures.
Some of these gatherings are planned a month in advance and others are spontaneous, but the highlight of these types of weekends is the opportunity to spend time with my friends.
Life gets busy for all of us and I find it so important to carve out some time to spend it with the people who nourish your heart and soul, and fill your cup.”
Book It/Playtime! The Bird Who Was Afraid of Heights
Where: Esplanade Theatre Studio, 1 Esplanade Drive str.sg/er2c
When: Until March 16, various times
Admission: From $23
Info:
