Board of Directors Episode 8: Alvin Tan
Alvin Tan is the founder and artistic director of The Necessary Stage, one of Singapore’s most respected theatre companies, and the co–artistic director of the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival. A central figure in the evolution of devising in Singapore, he has directed more than one hundred productions presented across Asia, Europe and Australia, including cities such as Glasgow, Cairo, Busan, Melbourne, Birmingham, London, Dublin, New Delhi, Budapest and Bucharest.
His practice is distinguished by a social anthropological approach to character and an unflinching engagement with humanitarian and social issues. This is exemplified in his long-running collaboration with playwright Haresh Sharma. Tan’s stagings of Off Centre focused national attention on mental health, while Fundamentally Happy confronted the emotional and legal complexities surrounding paedophilia. Through these and many other works, he has consistently foregrounded contemporary Singaporean life and identity.
Since founding The Necessary Stage in 1987, Tan has championed a collaborative, research-driven methodology. The company’s signature play-building process blends rigorous investigation, extensive improvisation and collective authorship. Under his leadership, TNS has become one of Singapore’s most influential theatre groups.
Tan’s commitment to theatre as social engagement extends far beyond the rehearsal room. His advocacy helped catalyse the rise of community theatre in Singapore and brought performance into the heartlands through projects such as the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival, Theatre for Youth Branch, the Marine Parade Theatre Festival and Theatre for Seniors. These platforms have enabled diverse communities to explore their stories and cultural identities on stage. He also initiated publications such as 9 Lives: 10 Years of Singapore Theatre to encourage exchange between artists, thinkers and civil society.
His international work includes representing Singapore at conferences and cultural forums around the world, including the World Culture Forum Alliance in São Paulo and the Conference of Asian Foundations and Organisations in Barcelona. He was a Fulbright Scholar at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and holds degrees from the National University of Singapore, the Institute of Education and the University of Birmingham. His contributions have been widely recognised, including the Young Artist Award, the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and the Cultural Medallion.
A dedicated mentor, Tan has played a formative role in the development of artists, including Chong Tze Chien of The Finger Players and Natalie Hennedige of Cake Theatrical Productions.
