Beyond the Stage

Youths from Singapore Boys’ Home perform as part of Theatre for Dreams, a three-month programme by Esplanade. Since 2017, the programme has provided a safe and supportive space for participants to develop confidence, creativity and communication skills through the performing arts. Photo: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Since 2017, Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay’s flagship programme Theatre for Dreams has been helping youths at Singapore Boys’ Home find their voice through applied theatre.

Developed in partnership with theatre practitioner Oniatta Effendi, the three-month programme uses creative expression to help participants reflect on their aspirations, build confidence and strengthen relationships with their families and peers. Over six editions, it has engaged more than 90 youths.

“Theatre for Dreams was a life-changing experience,” shared John* from the 2025 cohort. “I learned to speak up more and that it is okay to speak up. Before attending the programme, I didn’t feel close to my parents. Now I feel the closeness.”

Many participants begin Theatre for Dreams hesitant to share their thoughts during sessions. Over three months, participants build trust with artists and peers, culminating in a final showcase at Esplanade where they share their aspirations. Photo: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Stories like these point to the difference this programme has made. But Esplanade also wanted evidence to better understand how change happens, and how programmes like Theatre for Dreams could create even greater impact.

With Tote Board’s support, Esplanade aligned its own impact evaluation efforts to Tote Board’s Impact Measurement Framework. By tracking shifts in participants’ Attitude, Ability, Access and Action^[1], it gathered evidence that helped refine programme design while demonstrating the contribution of the arts to inclusion, wellbeing and stronger communities.

For Theatre for Dreams, this informed programme improvements such as the introduction of structured reflection sessions, backstage experiences with Esplanade’s technical production team, and greater family involvement in the youths’ journeys.

One former participant took up an internship with Esplanade’s production team while another pursued an internship at a law firm.

The programme’s refinements ultimately served a more fundamental purpose: helping youth articulate their dreams, strengthen their resolve, and take meaningful steps towards realising their goals.

Today, this evidence-informed approach shapes programmes across Esplanade, which delivers more than 4,000 arts activities each year, including over 600 arts and wellbeing programmes reaching more than 10,000 beneficiaries. In FY2025, audiences reported a 15% improvement in quality of life and an 11% increase in their sense of community and belonging after attending an Esplanade programme.

“Meaningful change rarely comes from a single intervention,” says Rachelle Tan, Assistant CEO (Enterprise). “Sustained engagement is what builds trust and creates lasting social change. Tote Board gave us more than funding – it gave us the confidence to think beyond the next programme cycle, to invest in relationships, build trust with communities and stay committed for the long term.”

The work is never truly finished. Each programme, each participant and each insight offers an opportunity to learn, adapt and do better. Behind every participant’s journey is a programme that continues to evolve – not by intuition alone – but through evidence that helps Esplanade understand how to create even greater impact.

*Name changed for privacy reasons.

^[1] Tote Board’s 4A Change Model defines change for beneficiaries by tracking Attitude (shifting mindsets and beliefs), Ability (acquiring essential skills and capabilities), Access to resources (creating pathways to essential resources and opportunities) and/or Action (fostering behaviour change through sustained action in the longer term).