5 Questions with Janek Schergen

Janek Schergen

Over the Chinese New Year period, Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT) moved to its new home at Bugis+ mall, then four weeks later, it plunged straight into its 2013 season, which also marks the company’s 25^th jubilee. Packed with activities that began with a tour in April, celebrations include an anniversary gala performance this month and the signature Ballet Under the Stars at Fort Canning in July.

ST: What's the significance of the last 25 years of SDT. What has been achieved, and have you met your goals?

JS: The founders had the very specific intention of establishing a professional dance company in Singapore, which would mean that aspiring dancers no longer needed to leave the country to become professional. These days, it’s no longer just SDT; T.H.E Dance Company was also started by a former SDT dancer.

In a sense, SDT can be seen as the original acorn that grew into a tree, which in turn sprouted branches. The establishing of this dance company led to other developments within the dance scene in Singapore, from our initial seven dancers and two founders and a board of directors and supporters, to where we are now. We’re not the only tree anymore, we’re one of many trees now.

ST: What is your philosophy for running SDT?

JS: The best and always the best. You have to give the dancers the best ballets that you possibly can, because they’re giving you their careers. You have to give the audience the best when you perform, because they’re spending their time with you.

You have to develop the culture of dance within Singapore. You have to be responsible for the continuation of the organisation. Above all, you have to find some way to satisfy your soul.

SDT performing "Serenade" by George Balanchine

ST: What’s the difference between SDT and the other companies that you've managed before?

JS: I was in six companies before SDT, which were all influenced by the other professional dance companies nearest to them. Because there are no professional ballet companies near us, the culture of how to run our organisation is slightly different. Trying to align SDT with other major professional dance companies is an on-going effort.

Since most professional dance companies work in a similar fashion, they have a similar working methodology and artistic practices. Depending upon their budget, they can do more or do less, perform more or perform less. But the mentality of how to progress through the course of planning and development, implementation of performances, and the treatment of dancers and everybody involved, is basically the same.

Here at SDT, it doesn’t necessarily conform to the way it is outside. So getting it to match the way that things are done in Europe, Australia and America is an on-going process.

ST: What’s your vision for SDT over the next 25 years?

JS: To do what we do well even better. To find a stronger presence within the international dance community. To establish a pre-professional school such as The Royal Ballet School and The Australian Ballet School. To have live music while we perform. To have first rate international choreographers working with the dancers. To have people excited to be in the company, not just as job, but as a profession.

SDT performing "ZIN!" by Nils Christe

ST: What can we expect to see during the upcoming gala performance?

JS: Everything from the first ballet that the company ever did, to highlights of ballets that have been done over the course of the past 25 years, to a brand new ballet for the night. There will also be special guest performances by two important couples from other professional ballet companies.

Photo: Chew Chen-Yang / Penoramic Publishing