ITI - Intercultural Theatre Institute

ITI - Intercultural Theatre Institute Based in Singapore, ITI trains artists who want to make original, impactful contemporary theatre. Co-founded by Kuo Pao Kun and T. Sasitharan.

Sasitharan, ITI is a unique enterprise in theatre training, human understanding and raising social and cultural awareness. An independent theatre school for contemporary artists, conceived as a unique and unprecedented enterprise in theatre training, social and cultural interaction, and human understanding. ITI and its Acting Programme began as the Theatre Training & Research Programme (TTRP), est

ablished in 2000 by renowned dramatist, Kuo Pao Kun (1939–2002), and current Director, T. ITI is founded on the belief that theatre would have little meaning if it is not connected to life and society. It must make a difference and have a social impact. Its Professional Diploma in Intercultural Theatre (Acting) features an intercultural learning methodology, set to rigorous standards, to develop skills in performance and original theatremaking. Through this, ITI aims to train socially engaged artists who will contribute meaningfully to their cultures and communities, at the same time are capable of working across cultural, linguistic, social and national boundaries.

🇸🇬 Come join us this Saturday!Celebrate National Day with us at The Hills Residents’ Network National Day Picnic & Movie...
30/07/2026

🇸🇬 Come join us this Saturday!

Celebrate National Day with us at The Hills Residents’ Network National Day Picnic & Movie Night at Mount Emily Park! Enjoy an evening of community, performances, games, and a movie under the stars.

Catch a special performance by ITI, enjoy a bit of clowning from our alumni, and stop by our booth to learn more about our unique actor training programme.

📍 Mount Emily Park
🗓 Saturday, 1 August
⏰ 4.30pm–9.00pm

We can’t wait to see you there! 🎭🇸🇬

A very special moment in ITI’s 25th anniversary year.We were deeply honoured to interview President Tharman Shanmugaratn...
28/07/2026

A very special moment in ITI’s 25th anniversary year.

We were deeply honoured to interview President Tharman Shanmugaratnam for our forthcoming anniversary documentary.

The President spoke with characteristic thoughtfulness about the possibilities of intercultural work: how meaningful encounters across cultures can help us remain open to difference, build common ground and imagine new ways of living together.

For a small, independent institution, it is heartening that ITI’s work continues to command the attention of leaders at the highest levels. It affirms the distinctive place ITI has carved out in Singapore’s cultural landscape—and the wider relevance of the intercultural practice we have pursued for 25 years.

Our sincere thanks to President Tharman for his time, generosity and genuine interest in ITI’s journey.

More about the documentary soon!

Hot off the press! Pictures from the second edition of the ITI Open House!Last Friday, we opened our studio doors to som...
16/07/2026

Hot off the press! Pictures from the second edition of the ITI Open House!

Last Friday, we opened our studio doors to some new faces for an intensive, firsthand look into the intercultural training that makes ITI one of the most unique drama schools in the world.

From rigorous physical trial classes to candid conversations with our faculty and current students, it was a day filled with exploration across cultures, traditions, and disciplines.

A massive thank you to everyone who brought their energy, vulnerability, and open minds to the space. You truly made the day unforgettable!

Missed out on this round? Keep your eyes on our page for future workshops and open houses.

Interested in joining ITI? This is the last year we're offering our ITI25 scholarships, so apply now!
Email us at [email protected]

A round of applause for ITI alumnus Tysha Khan (Class of 2019) and the team behind Buah!From winning Best Performance at...
09/07/2026

A round of applause for ITI alumnus Tysha Khan (Class of 2019) and the team behind Buah!

From winning Best Performance at the 36th Singapore International Film Festival to taking home top honors at prestigious festivals like Palm Springs and Clermont-Ferrand, Tysha’s portrayal of Siti is capturing hearts globally.

Swipe through to see how her rigorous training at ITI—from Kutiyattam to vocal exploration—helped shape her award-winning performance, allowing her to express her character’s inner world through movement, breath, and voice.

We are incredibly proud to watch our alumni break boundaries and elevate their craft across the globe. 🎭❤️

Interested in joining ITI?
Email us at [email protected]

📸 Photo credits (Slides 1 & 5): Renny Nadira

Tickets are officially live! — AIC 2026: Staging the Unseen: Bodies, Power, and BelongingPresented by ITI in collaborati...
06/07/2026

Tickets are officially live! — AIC 2026: Staging the Unseen: Bodies, Power, and Belonging

Presented by ITI in collaboration with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, the Asian Intercultural Conference (AIC) gathers socially conscious artists, researchers, change-makers, and impact-driven creatives working in theatre to shape a more inclusive, responsive arts landscape. Rooted in both theory and practice, this year’s conference brings together diverse voices across cultures to exchange, question, and imagine alternative pathways in art and education — marking the culmination of ITI25 and celebrating ITI’s continuing legacy.

Keynote speakers:
Prof Chen Kuan-Hsing (Taiwan)
Nabilah Said (Singapore)

NEW this year!:
- For the first time, AIC moves into the evening sessions — making the conference more accessible for audiences
- Pre-conference workshops, previously only for ITI students & alumni, are now open to the public. Learn Somatic Movement & Shadow Work, Michael Chekhov Technique, and Wayang Wong with international artists

*Pre-conference workshops are sold separately from conference passes. Seleted participants will be notified.
Register at www.itiaic2026.com/pre-conference-workshops
Early bird pricing on 4-day passes is available until 30 September — don’t miss it.

📍 Pre-Conference Workshops | ITI Studios | 18–26 November 2026
📍 Asian Intercultural Conference | Esplanade Annexe Studio | 25–28 November 2026

More info on AIC: www.itiaic2026.com
Get your tickets: www.itiaic2026.peatix.com

One week to go — and only a few spots remain! ⏳Ever wondered what ITI’s unique intercultural actor training actually fee...
03/07/2026

One week to go — and only a few spots remain! ⏳

Ever wondered what ITI’s unique intercultural actor training actually feels like?

Here’s your chance to step inside the studios, move, speak, train, ask questions, and experience first-hand why Prof Tommy Koh describes ITI as “a small but precious jewel in Singapore’s cultural crown. There is no other drama school in the world which teaches its students in the traditions of the West but also of China, Japan, India and Indonesia. The ITI is a beacon in a divided and darkening world.”

Join us for a full day alongside our faculty and students:

🕚 11:00 AM – Movement for Actors with Lim Chin Huat (Singapore)
🗣 12:00 PM – Voice & Speech with Simon Stollery (Australia)
🍽 1:00 PM – Lunch & dialogue with ITI students and faculty
🎭 2:15 PM – Kunqu with Xiao Xiangping (China)
💬 3:45 PM – Closing Q&A with ITI staff and faculty

If you know someone who is serious about theatre or performance — an emerging actor, dancer, performer, arts student, or anyone looking for rigorous and transformative training — please send this their way.

Whether you’re thinking of applying to ITI, looking to deepen your practice, or simply curious about what intercultural training means in the body, voice and imagination, this is a rare chance to experience it firsthand.

📍 ITI Studios
🗓 Friday, 10 July 2026
🕥 10:45 AM – 4:30 PM
🎟 Free with registration

Open to all experience levels, ages 17 and above. Full-day attendance is required, and participants should wear comfortable clothing suitable for movement.

Spaces are limited, so register soon — or help us spread the word to someone who might be ready for this.

🔗 Register via the link in our bio.

Questions or accessibility requests?
📧 [email protected]

🎉 The Intercultural Theatre Institute warmly congratulates our Executive Director, Justin Deimen, on the international s...
29/06/2026

🎉 The Intercultural Theatre Institute warmly congratulates our Executive Director, Justin Deimen, on the international success of The Violinist, which has been awarded the Cristal for Best Feature Film at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival — the festival’s highest honour.

The win marks a historic first for a Singapore-produced animated feature.

As Executive Producer, Justin reflected in an interview with CNA Lifestyle:

“To see a Singaporean studio create work of this calibre and be recognised on the world stage is a milestone not only for the team, but for our region’s creative industry.”

He added:

“We made this film with international audiences in mind, but its heart has always belonged to Singapore. We hope Singaporeans will see a part of themselves, their history, and their love for this country reflected on screen.”

At ITI, these words resonate deeply with our mission: to nurture artists who are rooted in their own cultures, while able to speak powerfully across borders.

For 25 years, ITI has believed that art preserves memory, deepens identity, bridges cultures and connects communities. The Violinist’s international recognition affirms the power of Singaporean stories to move global audiences — and the importance of cultural leadership that is both locally grounded and globally engaged.

We are immensely proud to celebrate this landmark achievement, and look forward to Justin’s continued leadership in shaping ITI’s next chapter.

Congratulations, Justin, and to the entire team behind The Violinist. 👏

Yeo Yann Yann advanced her artistry through ITI (then named TTRP) and its innovative intercultural curriculum. She’s now...
24/06/2026

Yeo Yann Yann advanced her artistry through ITI (then named TTRP) and its innovative intercultural curriculum. She’s now a multiple Golden Horse Award-winning movie star.

Ready to advance your artistry? Step into your future as a creative powerhouse and join an elite lineage of global graduates. Intercultural Theatre Institute (ITI)—the world’s premier intercultural conservatory—is currently accepting applications for the 2027 Intake.

The ITI Professional Diploma in Intercultural Theatre (Acting) offers a transformative three-year programme. Our unique curriculum seamlessly bridges contemporary performance techniques with rigorous, master-led training in traditional Asian forms, including Noh, Jingju, Kutiyattam, and Wayang Wong. Here, you will train under world-class master teachers to discover your distinctive artistic voice and launch an impactful international career.

Scholarships are available. This is the last year we’re offering our anniversary ITI25 scholarships, so reach out to us now at [email protected]!

Year 2 students presented Act 1, Scene 5 of Twelfth Night and Act 3, Scene 5 of As You Like It as the culmination of the...
22/06/2026

Year 2 students presented Act 1, Scene 5 of Twelfth Night and Act 3, Scene 5 of As You Like It as the culmination of their term’s work on Shakespeare. In this scene work, under the guidance of Voice & Speech instructor Simon Stollery, students learnt how to balance speaking heighten language text with the with demands of playing comedy.

Voice & Speech training at ITI supports students in developing their vocal range for both contemporary and classical theatre.

In their Voice & Speech presentation, Year 1 students, guided by instructor Simon Stollery, demonstrated their knowledge...
22/06/2026

In their Voice & Speech presentation, Year 1 students, guided by instructor Simon Stollery, demonstrated their knowledge of phonetics by introducing the audience to vowel and consonant phonemes found in their mother tongues, as well as the varieties of English they speak. They then used phonetic notation and phonemic classification to teach songs in Tulu, Kannada, Bengali, Negros Bisaya and Mandarin.

Voice & Speech classes at ITI empower students to explore the full expressive range of their vocal instruments in both contemporary and traditional theatre.

Address

11 Upper Wilkie Road
Singapore
228120

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 18:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 18:00
Thursday 09:00 - 18:00
Friday 09:00 - 18:00

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