Actor Training at ITI: Interview with alumnus Yazid Jalil

Ahead of his panel discussion on ‘Actor Training in Singapore’s Arts Schools’ at Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT)’s inaugural Theatre360, we take a moment with alumnus Yazid Jalil (‘15) to gather insight on his time as a student, the impact of an ITI education on his practice, and what sets ITI apart as a school. Yazid is a graduate of ITI, École Philippe Gaulier (Paris), the University of Essex and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.

He is currently completing his Master of Arts Degree in Arts Pedagogy and Practice at LASALLE College of the Arts, and is an adjunct lecturer at LASALLE and NAFA.

What sets ITI apart as a theatre school?

In my personal experience, there is a disciplinary rigour and organic building of community in ITI that blends seriousness with play, criticisms with laughter, the old and the emerging.  Students start the day climbing a hill, cleaning the classroom, and at lunchtime either eating or napping together. They then end the day cleaning the classrooms. The traditional theatre immersions are extremely holistic, and its post-modular labs bring out the weirdest combinations of art-making and expressions. Perhaps it is the very well-curated blend of faculty and student intake that defines what ITI really is.

How would you describe your time at ITI?

Eye-opening. Physically draining. Life changing. There was not a day in school where I did not feel challenged. It was always dynamic. We were always learning from mistakes, successes and doing. I feel blessed to have such wonderful teachers who took genuine, committed interest in our progression as artists. Having one class per cohort really helped focus the class on becoming better every day.

What have the traditional art immersions at ITI brought to your practice as an artist? 

All the traditional forms teach something conceptually necessary for me as a performer. If I may use a popular reference here: it was like I was an elemental bender trying to learn all four elements to become Avatar. Noh Theatre has taught me groundedness and containment. Beijing Opera taught me precision and flair. Wayang Wong taught me flow, to be soft and gentle. And Kutiyattam taught me how to release and explode. Technical skills aside, these essences that can only be learnt from repetition, taught by masters of their fields from the ‘source materials’, was a spiritual journey in itself. There was as deep an excavation of my identity as a human and as an artist, as there was a discovery of the universe.

Are there any standout quotes from/moments with lecturers about theatre/theatre-making that you continue to carry with you today? 

I remember in the first year of study for the academic year 2013, we started the first day of school on the 31st of December 2012. To my surprise, everyone showed up. Sasi’s opening words were “Time waits for no man. Nor does theatre.” He also said, “You must earn the right to be on stage” and “You are only as good as your last show”. But most importantly, this is something he said that I will never forget: “In order to be a great actor, you must first be a good human being”.

Faculty members at ITI lead by example. They are great human beings, which makes them excellent teachers. Kindness runs strong in our culture at ITI, the late Bambang Besur Suryono and Phillip Zarrilli, may not be with us anymore, but their smiles and warmth will never leave the school. 

Yazid Jalil trained at the Intercultural Theatre Institute (formerly known as the Theatre Training and Research Programme), École Philippe Gaulier (Paris), and has a First Class Honours Degree from the University of Essex.

He is a bilingual artist who has worked in over 50 professional theatrical productions as an actor, writer, director, and deviser. His work as an artist and educator has brought him to India, Japan, and Taiwan. He currently teaches Theatre as an adjunct lecturer at NAFA and LASALLE College of the Arts.

Puppet Origin Stories: Ah Ma. Photo courtesy of The Finger Players

Find out more about Yazid’s work on his website: https://www.yazidjalil.com/

Yazid Jalil will represent ITI on a panel to discuss ‘Actor Training in Singapore’s Arts Schools’ at KC Arts Centre on 12 May, 2023. The event is part of Theatre360, an educational initiative by SRT. https://www.wearetheatre360.com/courses-10/actor-training-in-singapore's-arts-schools