About The Necessary Stage

Formed in 1987, The Necessary Stage is a non-profit theatre company with charity status. Our mission is to create challenging indigenous and innovative theatre that touches the heart and mind. We are committed to developing new works, platforming new artists and reaching out to new audiences, while maintaining high standards of production. The Necessary Stage is the only theatre company in Singapore that supports five full-time artists - 3 directors and 2 playwrights. We have been identified as one of the four Major Arts Companies by the National Arts Council.

Since 1987, TNS has:
- produced more 60 original works
- brought their works to Cairo, Glasgow, London, Melbourne, Taiwan and Macau
- reached more than 500,000 students in schools through our Theatre for Youth Branch
- reached more than 10,000 people every year
through their Main Season works
- reached 50,000 new audiences in the last 5 theatre festivals for young people aged 13-25
- reached 20,000 new audiences in the last 3 community theatre festivals.
- provided a quarterly platform for the artistic community in Singapore, for exploratory and experimental work, [names changed to protect the innocent].
- 7 publications to their name.
- initiated a playwriting programme that nurtures emerging playwrights, Playwright's Cove and Exchange.

The Necessary Stage receives funding from the National Arts Council under its Major Arts Companies Scheme, from corporate sponsors such as M1, BAT, and Perising, from other bodies such as the British Council, the Italian Cultural Institute, South-East Community Development Council and from ticket sales, donations and fund-raisers.

Organisations, companies and individuals looking to support TNS should contact Su-Lin Ngiam at 6440 8115 or email [email protected]

Cheques should be made payable to 'The Necessary Stage Ltd'. For tax exemption, cheques should be made to 'The National Arts Council' but sent to TNS.

All donations made in 2002 qualify for a double tax exemption.