I’MPERFECT Musical Celebrated Alongside D.S. Lee Foundation $3 Million Gift
Pictured: The cast, crew, production, and creative team of “I’MPERFECT.”
I’MPERFECT Musical Celebrated Alongside D.S. Lee Foundation $3 Million Gift
The curtains have drawn on an unforgettable evening filled with songs, tears, and laughter, all focusing on the struggles and resilience of Singaporean youth today.
On the 25th of August 2024, the Esplanade came alive with the I’MPERFECT musical drama, organised by the Mind Science Centre and Blue Empire Entertainment. The event attracted over 1,400 attendees, eager to engage with its crucial themes.
The musical began with three teenagers from different walks of life finding themselves at MAELab, attending a youth programme where the school guidance counsellor, played by Gerald Yong, employs Emotional Literacy First Aid (ELFA) and the SYRESS scale to help them recognise their strengths and manage emotional crises.
Veronika, Gen, Sebestian and Fleur at MAELab
Behind each catchy tune and sing-along material, the songs explore the emotional struggles of today’s youth, highlighting their battles with self-acceptance, low self-esteem, depression, and the desperate need for acceptance from those around them. Those who yearn for help often find themselves hiding from it, paralysed by the fear that revealing their true selves will lead to further rejection. Sebastian (played by Timothy Wan), a teenager struggling to control his anger, poignantly captures this fear in his song: ‘Running away is my only escape, I turn to my friends, but I’ll turn them away, no way! No one can know who I really am.”
Mr William shares his personal stories to help Sebastian find hope.
The older generation may find it difficult to comprehend why modern youth grapple with mental health issues, despite enjoying a seemingly better standard of living compared to previous generations. The musical seeks to highlight these challenging conversations and shed light on the unique struggles that today’s youth encounter.
High expectations from ‘kiasu‘ parents—common in Singapore’s culture, which places a high value on academic achievement—can unintentionally contribute to significant stress. This often leads to strained relationships between parents and children. The relationship between Gen and Mrs Li, portrayed by Nadya Zaheer and Suyin Anand, respectively, exemplifies this dynamic.
Gen and Mrs Lee reconciling after a TikTok stunt gone wrong reveals that Gen attempted to put herself in danger. Next to the bed are Gen’s inner struggles depicted as “devils.”
On the other hand, some youths find themselves trapped in a digital world where people often showcase only their highlight reels, which are frequently enhanced by photoshopped images setting unrealistic beauty standards. This relentless exposure can lead to social comparison, which in turn undermines their self-esteem. As a result, young people may feel compelled to create a façade or adopt a persona to gain acceptance and value in their online interactions. This environment especially impacts girls’ self-image, heightening self-consciousness. This is exemplified by Veronika (played by Claris Tan) an aspiring influencer who constantly worries about her weight due to the unrealistic standards she feels pressured to meet.
Veronika sings “Calories” to remind herself to retain self-control when it comes to food.
With about one in three youths reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, raising awareness and fostering resilience is more crucial than ever. Producer Maryanne Tan, who has extensive experience collaborating with the Mind Science Centre on musicals, decided to focus this year on youth mental health. She was inspired by a poignant video in which a mother spoke out after her son took his own life, which deeply affected Maryanne and highlighted the urgent need to address the pain and struggles these children face.
“In January 2023, I received news that my friend’s son, studying in London, suffered from depression and committed suicide. I could not understand why these children could not see hope and felt like they had no choice but to opt for such a fatal solution to temporary problems,” she said.
The key message for the audience was clear: it is okay not to be okay. Our imperfections make us human and unique. The musical aims to start a conversation to destigmatise mental health issues.
Fleur (played by Fleur Loh) sings ‘It’s Okay Not to Be Okay’
In her original song ‘It’s Okay Not to Be Okay,’ Music Director Amni Musfirah uses upbeat tunes and positive lyrics to deliver a powerful reminder to the audience: ‘sometimes these flowers take a while to bloom‘. Her song serves as a beacon of hope, encouraging resilience and confidence, and emphasising that even in the face of adversity, we can grow and flourish.
Resilience, as highlighted in the Youth Epidemiology and Resilience Study (YEAR), acts as a crucial buffer against mental health struggles in youth, underscoring the importance of fostering these qualities. The study identifies key domains of resilience, such as optimism, personal confidence, humour, positive thinking, and relationships, which collectively help young people navigate life’s challenges.
Gen and her mother, Mrs Lee, engage in a heartfelt conversation following an accident at MAELab.
“I wanted this musical to encapsulate that with the support of everyone—a loving community, friendship, and family—mental health issues are something we can handle,” said stage director Krish Natarajan.
“Just love and listen to the people around you, and I think that’s the best medicine, in some shape or form,” he added.
The original song ‘Shine’, written by Amni Musfirah, beautifully captures this sentiment: ‘Like an anthem for our friends, lighting candles for another, making dreams go on forever, make it shine, just let it shine.’ The song not only resonates as an anthem of friendship and support but also emphasises that our collective light grows brighter when we extend kindness and empathy to those around us.
Mr William demonstrating unconditional positive regard to encourage Sebastian.
Special gift from D.S. Lee Foundation
The night was made even more special by the presence of the Minister for Health, Mr Ong Ye Kung, who witnessed a significant $3 million endowment gift from Dr Della Lee and the D.S. Lee Foundation. Dr Astrid Suantio presented the cheque on behalf of her aunt, Dr Della Lee.
The cheque was presented by Dr Astrid Suantio (right) on behalf of D.S.Lee foundation. Receiving the cheque were Director of the NUS Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre, Associate Professor John Wong, Dean of NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Professor Chong Yap Seng, Chairman of the Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, and witness by Minster for Health, Mr Ong Ye Kung.
Dr. Della Lee’s words, “to give is better than to receive,” eloquently encapsulate the essence of the Foundation’s substantial contribution. This impactful gift signifies the Foundation’s profound commitment to shaping the future of mental health research and education. The Foundation recognises that by prioritising the mind, they are investing in the well-being of not just individuals, but entire communities.
Their generous donation will help NUS establish the “Della Suantio Lee Professorship in Mental Health and Digital Science” at the NUS Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre and NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. This professorship will focus on research and innovation in mental health care delivery through digital science. Additionally, part of the endowment will support the newly renamed D.S. Lee Foundation Mind Art Experiential Lab (MAELab) located at Alexandra Hospital, continuing its mission of promoting mental wellness through creative and integrative approaches.
Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre gratefully acknowledge the generous support from the key supporters of I’MPERFECT fundraising musical to make this evening memorable.
Featured in the Straits Times: Mind Science Centre gets $3m endowment to boost mental health research and education
Guest-of-Honour
Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health
Language
English
Duration
Approximately 90 minutes with no interval
Production Team
Producer: Maryanne Tan
Artistic Director: Brian Gothong Tan
Music Director: Amni Musfirah
Stage Director: Krish Natarajan
Script Writer: Edgar Liao
Mind Science Centre Gratefully Acknowledge Your Generous Support
Key Supporters of I’MPERFECT Fundraising Musical
Anastasia Tjendri-Liew & Bengawan Solo Pte Ltd
BinjaiTree
Choo Chiau Beng
Della Suantio Lee & D.S. Lee Foundation
Holywell Foundation
Lee Oi Kum
Tracey Woon
Wong Yew Choo & Ho Geok Eng
Please click on the e-programme to view the complete list of our generous donors.
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