“Be connected to life all the time and always be curious of things around and beyond you. Set a goal and stay with it. Be positive and very hardworking!”

This was the reply given by accomplished theatre director, playwright and production designer Mr. Goh Boon Teck, Creative Director of NDP 2008, when asked what piece of advice he would give to someone who is thinking of becoming a playwright or director. Indeed, qualities such as a close connection to life and a curiosity about all that surrounds have resonated clearly in his many works that have now become a substantial part of Singaporean theatre. This constant attachment to the intricacies of life – not merely the mundane and ordinary, but also life in its general, abstract form, have allowed for these critically acclaimed works to serve as critiques both about life in Singapore and the common humanity shared by all citizens of the world.

Where then, does all that inspiration to produce such acclaimed works come from? “Over the years, I found sincerity is a great resource for creativity. It is almost impossible for me to create, write or direct anything that I do not have a connection with.” Perhaps this is where everything comes together in this creative mind: a simple sincerity to everything – sincerity to all emotions stored within throughout everyday life, sincerity to views and ideas accumulated over the years, sincerity to the very audience that bears testament to all that he produces. It is also perhaps this sincerity that fuels the maxim of “setting a goal, staying with it, and being positive and hardworking”. This positive attitude has seen Mr. Goh scooping up both the National Arts Council Young Artist Award in 2001 and more recently, the Singapore Youth Award in 2005.

With all the artistic inspiration and ideas that show in his works, along with the determination that has seen his creative works come to fruition, Mr. Goh clearly demonstrates the ideals that surface at the National Day Parade. The fusion of the traditional, all-so-familiar Singaporean willingness to trade effort for results, and a creativity which, even if Singapore is sometimes criticized for neglecting, thrives within its very “heartlands”, has long been the spirit of the Parade. Mr. Goh himself relishes the prospect of showing this spirit on the NDP stage for the second year running. “My love for Singapore makes it such a joy to direct the National Day Parade, I feel good in making Singapore look her best in front of her citizens and the rest of the world.”

One specific theme that has repeatedly shown up in the public square in recent years is the increasingly international mindsets of Singaporeans, not only involving Singaporeans venturing overseas for work and play, but also foreigners coming to Singapore and as a result, Singaporean works gaining a broader audience on the international stage. Going international is surely nothing new to Mr. Goh, be it going for “acting workshops on deserted islands”, “camping in the woods in Japan during freezing weather”, or “walking the desert under burning heat to be enlightened”. It thus comes with not surprise that he views NDP as a “global event even within itself”.

“The invitation of international specialists to be part of the production and creative team encourages exchanges of ideas and latest concepts in show-making. NDP is also conscious in highlighting and presenting the latest technologies in the world to Singaporeans, keeping our people informed of the latest trends of the world.” Indeed, it is testament to the open-mindedness and creativity of a people that the latest trends in fields such as show-making play an integral role in the celebration of the nation’s birthday. This international dimension also ties in with the idea of Singapore becoming a melting pot of cultures. The idea of NDP opening a window to the world has as its aims, in the words of Mr. Goh, the placing of Singapore “on the pulse of the global heartbeat” and the “welcoming of international friends to share their dreams here”.

Perhaps one of the most prominent results of internationalization is the development of avant-garde ideas and concepts. One such idea would have to be the shift from the usual grounds of Kallang to the whole-new Marina Bay area. Being the Creative Director too of NDP 2007, the first NDP to be held on the floating platform, Mr. Goh said “the change in venue brought unlimited new inspirations and the possibility of using water as an element for the parade.” Have no illusions about the difficulties of such a task though. “It was very demanding to mount our equipment and effects out and near salt water for a period of 2-3 months.” Yet nothing would stop them from giving Singapore a birthday to remember. “It seems that there were very few obstacles that Singaporeans’ will power could not overcome. We believe that there is always a creative solution to a challenge.”

With everything said about inspiration, motivation and the like, we can be assured that NDP 2008 will be another work of Mr. Goh to remember. “Working in theatre is like being on a soul-searching machine all the time”, he says. Directing the National Day Parade is little different. Both involve “finding essences that reshape people’s mind frames and striking a balance of artistic and accessibility”. The tall task of merging the abstract and the practical falls on his shoulders – in the National Day Parade one sees the epitome of the hopes and dreams of a nation, all laid out in various segments of the show. Yet with his professed sincerity to everything around him, and his notion that no obstacle is too big for the will power of Singaporeans, one can be justified in feeling more than confident that Mr. Goh Boon Teck will rise to the occasion once again, and deliver in style.