Q&A with Cheng Kam Yiu (Yolanda)

Cheng Kam Yiu (Yolanda) is a bilingual theatre practitioner from Hong Kong. She believes that theatre is a vessel revealing the truth of life, and has dedicated her life to it.

Yolanda previously trained at the Tang Shu-Wing Theatre Studio in Hong Kong and had interned at the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. She was actively involved in theatre and music performances at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She conducted the FUN! theatre workshop, collaborating with ITI student Lam Man Yik and alumnus Sandeep Yadav at the Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, India. In Singapore, she has worked in Nanyang Collective’s Life (2023) and T:>Works’ The Swimming Pool Library Exhibition (2022). 

After graduation, Yolanda will continue her research and practice in immersing Asian traditional forms into contemporary theatre. She also intends to establish an ensemble creating contemporary work with social impact.

Yolanda is a recipient of the Tan Chay Bing Education Fund Scholarship and a beneficiary of the Möbius Fund.

What were you doing before coming to ITI?

I was training in the Physical Theatre Youth Training Programme (PTI) at Tang Shu-Wing Theatre Studio in Hong Kong. I also interned with the Artistic team (Theatre) at the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority.

Tell us how you came to know of ITI. What made you choose to come here?

Back then, I was looking for professional theatre training as I want to do theatre for the rest of my life. My teacher, Andy Ng Wai-shek, who had graduated from ITI (then TTRP) and was teaching at PTI, introduced ITI to me. Andy is a very inspiring teacher and I always find myself almost bursting into tears in his class. That’s why I was so curious about what he experienced in Singapore. I looked up ITI online and read through the website. The curriculum was attractive and interesting because I am always interested in creating my own work, traditional cultures and intensive physical training. It seemed to me that it’s the best place to learn so I decided to come.

Think back to your first day here: what were some of your thoughts and emotions then?

I thought we would start training straightaway but it’s actually the orientation day. Felt a bit weird while everyone else dressed up but you were in your sports outfit. (Boo!) But when Sasi asked everyone to introduce themselves, as in who you were, where you came from and why you were here, my heart immediately pumped so fast. It’s been a long time since someone asked these questions. Suddenly I felt like I actually didn’t know who I was. It was very strange as I always thought these were simple questions to answer. You ought to know yourself well, right? Then the rest is a three-year process of asking these questions over and over again. I am still asking myself every day and probably for the rest of my life.

What is it like to train here at ITI?

Sweaty and smelly but empowering and fulfilling. Everyday is a new challenge with many ups and downs. It requires discipline, patience and self-motivation. Sometimes you get tired and frustrated because you are angry at yourself and others, which always happens when the days get tough. But the training opens up the mind and body allowing one to connect to oneself. Slowly you become more aware of your body and mind, learn more about your strengths and limits — how to embrace them and find ways to get better. And every minor step counts.

Any reflections on the experience of working with classmates from different countries?

Identity crisis has always been a big part of my life because of the colonial history and hybridity of Hong Kong. The confusion and frustration led to alienation and resistance towards my own culture; I found myself being a stranger to my roots. However, here at ITI, we are encouraged to share our cultures, such as celebrating festivals, cooking home cuisine, asking questions about history and customs, and sharing folktales and songs. As I got to know other cultures here, my world view expanded and I understand more about the complexity of one’s identity, how different cultures shape it and affect one’s behaviour and beliefs. When I started to recognise the similarities and differences between groups and communities, the relationship between me and my culture changed drastically as it held out a mirror to see myself better. There are beauty and flaws in every culture and tradition, but I’ve learned to take ownership, appreciate and embrace my own roots.

The other important lesson is never take things for granted. There is no one way out. For the first time in my life, I got to make connections with people from other countries, speak other languages and learn from other cultures. There are a thousand different perspectives and neither one is better. It is about the way of seeing. I have learned to be more patient, open-minded and flexible. The negotiations happen on a daily basis. We shall never stop learning, respecting and understanding each other, but don’t forget to stand on your own feet and never be apologetic.

… the training opens up the mind and body allowing one to connect to oneself. Slowly you become more aware of your body and mind, learn more about your strengths and limits — how to embrace them and find ways to get better. And every minor step counts.

What are the most memorable experiences you’ve had at ITI?

Every moment has taken root in my heart. All the laughter and tears. Cleaning studios after school, non-stop crying in Beijing Opera term, greeting the colourful chickens around Mount Emily Park, saying goodbye to friends and teachers at Changi Airport, digging out costumes from the tiny costume room, hanging out in the pantry, long walks from Esplanade to home, making fun of our failures, practising together, cooking for each other, many tight warm hugs. So much to learn and remember.

But if I have to pick one that affected me the most on my acting journey, it must be the public speaking presentation for Voice class with Simon in the second year. Being forceful and squeezing things out on stage is a performer’s nightmare, which happens to me as I am pretty intense as a person (I like to grab things tightly). However, during the presentation, my memories were suddenly revived in the moment and things came naturally. It clicked for me because I wasn’t doing much. I finally have a glimpse of the state of focus, ease and deep connection with the message, which is the key to being alive and genuine on stage. Not to say I have crossed the threshold but I am working towards it.

How has what you’ve learnt here shaped or changed you as an actor?

As Andy said, if you break down the Chinese phrase 意念 (will) into symbols, it is 音 (music), 心 (heart) and 今 (now/present). It literally means “the sound and presence of one’s heart”. After having the luxury to train with master teachers of traditional forms and acting coaches from different backgrounds at ITI, I believe there is a pathway/dao (道) behind all forms, which is being in the moment and responding to it actively with your body and mind as a whole, and it is the essence of theatre.

What are your plans after graduation?

I would like to create my own work and establish an ensemble to create relevant work with social impact. Make something from the heart and speak from the soul. It is what theatre means to me and what I am always eager to do. I also intend to continue the research and practice of bridging, immersing and applying traditional forms into contemporary theatre.

What would you say to a new student or someone considering joining ITI?

Enjoy the journey and commit to it. Be kind to yourself and others. You will get tired and frustrated, but in the end everything counts.

Is there anyone you'd like to thank?

I’d like to thank my family, especially my little brother who loves and supports me unconditionally. All the traditional master teachers for sure. I will always remember your teaching and the way you live your life as art. All the faculty members, especially Andy, Aarne, Chin, Guillermo, Karen, Li Xie, Sasi, Simon and Wan Ching, who share their knowledge generously and take care of us by all means. ITI schoolmates and alumni, who are so inspiring and supportive. ITI staff who are always so kind and helpful. My classmates, Abi, Chee Yew, Mika and Swathi, who are never tired of my silly jokes and provide help whenever I need. My lovely (ex) housemates at Buffalo Road, especially Man Yik, Mika and Sandeep. Thank you for being there, putting up with my bad sides and always being kind to me.

Special thanks to our seniors Kewal and Sandeep who looked after us in the first year. Thank you for those warm hugs and wise advice; I’ve learned so much from you. Not to mention my friends in Hong Kong, especially Chou Mai, Kung, Gut and Wind, who flew all the way to Singapore for my performance. My deepest gratitude to have you all as friends. And thank you Tan Chay Bing Education Fund for your support with the scholarship that has helped so much.

Lastly, a shout out to all the amazing human beings I’ve met in Singapore.

Profile photo and The Chair production shot by Bernie Ng