The Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) is set to embark on a bold new chapter with the appointment of Chong Tze Chien as Festival Director from 2026 to 2028. Taking over from Natalie Hennedige, who will conclude her tenure with the 48th edition of SIFA (16 May – 1 June 2025), Chong’s leadership promises to push artistic boundaries and deepen audience engagement.
An award-winning playwright, director, and educator, Chong has left an indelible mark on Singapore’s theatre scene. As a core member of The Finger Players, he has helmed acclaimed productions such as Turn By Turn We Turn and Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, pioneering multidisciplinary storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences. His creative vision extends beyond the stage—he has contributed to Singapore’s National Day Parade and led immersive experiences as Creative Director of Sight Lines Entertainment.
Chong’s work has been recognized with the Young Artist Award (2006) and multiple Straits Times Life! Theatre Awards, with his plays staged internationally in Taiwan, Japan, Hungary, and the UK. No stranger to SIFA, he previously directed notable festival commissions, including Oiwa – The Ghost of Yotsuya (2021) and The Prose and The Passion (2024) with Cultural Medallion recipient Haresh Sharma.
His deep commitment to arts education has seen him shape young artistic minds through workshops and masterclasses since 2001. He currently serves on the Curriculum Development Assessment Committee at NAFA and has lectured at multiple institutions.
Chong will officially assume the role of Festival Director Designate in February 2025, working alongside Hennedige and the Arts House Limited (AHL) team to ensure a seamless transition. With his innovative storytelling and passion for expanding artistic reach, Chong is set to steer SIFA into a dynamic new era, further cementing its status as a premier global arts festival.
