Ivan Heng

Ivan Heng is a distinguished creative leader in Singapore’s theatre scene, known for his roles as an actor, director, playwright, and producer. As the founding artistic director of W!LD RICE, he has significantly transformed contemporary theatre by amplifying a unique Singaporean voice. His provocative works often tackle themes of identity, migration, and social issues, making him a prominent figure in the arts.

Heng's journey began in the UK and Europe until 1998, after which he returned to Singapore to help develop the local art scene. He founded W!LD RICE in 2000, a company celebrated for its boundary-pushing productions, including original musical retellings of Western fairytales such as Peter Pan in Serangoon Gardens and Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, alongside Eastern narratives like Monkey Goes West and Mama White Snake. His extensive repertoire and contributions to theatre earned him the prestigious Cultural Medallion in 2013, Singapore's highest arts accolade.

Beyond his productions, Heng is a passionate advocate for diversity and freedom of expression, particularly in support of LGBTQ+ rights. His collaborative efforts have included working with notable figures in Singaporean theatre, such as Adrian Pang and Gaurav Kripalani. In 2020, the trio came together for Ken Kwek’s short film The Pitch, and in 2021, they regrouped for The Commission, which was part of the Singapore International Festival of Arts. This marked the first stage collaboration among their three companies, with tickets selling out within 30 minutes, despite pandemic-related seating restrictions at W!LD RICE's Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre.

Through his leadership and artistic vision, Ivan Heng continues to push the boundaries of Singapore's theatre landscape, leaving a lasting impact on both the arts community and society at large.