The Necessary Stage

Formed in 1987 by Artistic Director Alvin Tan, The Necessary Stage (TNS) is a non-profit theatre company with charity status. TNS' mission is to create challenging, indigenous and innovative theatre that touches the heart and mind. Having presented more than 100 original plays in Singapore and abroad, TNS remains focused on breaking new ground in original local content and intercultural exploration.

For its Main Season, TNS produces an average of two plays a year at the black box and other venues. The plays are original, mostly devised pieces created in a collaborative process that is based on research, improvisation before scripting, and input from all members of the production.

They are also committed to international exchange and networking between Singapore and other countries, through staging the company’s plays abroad, inviting foreign works to be presented by the company in Singapore, through dialogues, workshops and training opportunities as well as creative collaborations leading to interdisciplinary productions.