November 08, 2022
35 for EMCC35 | Liu Yong Huay Faith
In this instalment of our #35forEMCC35 series, we spotlight Liu Yong Huay Faith, a Straits Times’ Life! Theatre Awards-nominated lighting designer on theatre and dance productions. Faith’s undergraduate and professional lives are deeply entwined with NUS Centre For the Arts (CFA). As a student, she was a member of NUS Dance Ensemble. Upon graduation, she joined CFA’s Talent Development and Programming team from 2010 to 2012 to produce shows under the EMCC umbrella. It was her work with EMCC that inspired her to move from programming to production, and she has not looked back since. Today, she returns to CFA regularly to do lighting design for many productions, including those within NUS Arts Festival.
You’ve held so many artistic identities in your time with NUS. What was your first impression of the NUS arts scene?
As a junior college student, I managed to catch the production, Evocation, by NUS Dance Ensemble in 2005 and 2006, where they performed at LT 13. I was so impressed with what I saw and experienced that I made it a point to join NUS Dance Ensemble when I entered NUS.
How is the EMCC platform unique for NUS arts community?
EMCC provides the resources that a performing group would require to stage a show professionally, and this includes a professional venue and production support. It is certainly a privilege to be under the EMCC umbrella and be given ample support and resources to create a production.
As an audience on NUS campus, you are often spoilt for choice on which arts shows to watch. This is because as EMCC programmers, we’ve made it a point that programmes under the EMCC umbrella must be accessible and consist of a good mix of genres. The NUS halls and NUS CFA groups are also often featured in the programme lineup, so there are more than enough arts programmes to choose from.
Best of all, the shows are always free of charge! Being a student back then with limited amount of budget to watch arts programmes, EMCC programmes certainly fed the artist side of me without causing pressure on my wallet.
What is the most cherished memory or unique project you have working on EMCC?
The process of working on EMCC productions with colleagues and students has been the most fulfilling. In the creation of a production, everyone is just as important, from the front of house, backstage crew to the director or choreographer.
I worked working consecutively with KE VII Hall Chinese Drama from 2010-2012. They were a bunch of very passionate NUS students and alumni. Their enthusiasm and professionalism were apparent in the amazing large sets, and props which they made by hand, and they did all these despite limited resources or the fact that they weren’t skilled in set design or construction.
Was there a central figure which you looked up to during your time working on EMCC?
I think the central figures I looked up to would have to be the artistes that came through the doors of EMCC. They taught me what passion was, and how it fuelled their work. Nothing comes easy on stage, be it for the performer or the backstage crew.
How has your EMCC experience complemented your professional life?
Through the running of EMCC shows, I had first dibs into backstage work, and how to programme and run them. I also formed a basic understanding of all aspects of backstage craft. In particular, I fell in love with lighting design. And this eventually influenced me to decide to switch careers from programming to production. I have pursued lighting design professionally ever since.
What has your experience on EMCC shown you about NUS students?
When given the opportunity and guidance, NUS students, be it performers or non-performers will be able to shine ever so brightly. There are many students and peers who went pursue a career in the arts after their stint at NUS. EMCC was a starting point for many arts professionals that we know today.
What hopes do you have for EMCC Crew or its programming?
I hope EMCC programmes continue to inspire young and budding artistes and to be the cradle for such works to be featured.
To learn more about Faith’s career as a lighting designer, read our earlier Spotlight interview with her here.
About #35forEMCC35
NUS Centre For the Arts is proud to commemorate 35 years of ExxonMobil Campus Concerts (EMCC) through our #35forEMCC35 series. Spotlighting 35 individuals from past and present editions of EMCC, the series showcases how EMCC has complemented these individuals’ academic and professional lives, and their hopes for EMCC in the years to come.