Spotlight: A Friend of SRT on the Joy of Giving and a Life Shaped by Theatre

Meet Ajit Nayak – A Friend of SRT Paying It Forward  

As Singapore Giving Week shines a spotlight on the spirit of generosity, we speak with Ajit Nayak – a dedicated member of our Friends of SRT programme and a passionate advocate for the arts. From his first encounter with Shakespeare in the Park in 2011 to becoming a steadfast supporter of SRT’s vision, Ajit shares how theatre has shaped his life, why giving matters, and how supporting homegrown productions helps secure a vibrant future for Singapore’s performing arts ecosystem. 

Celebrating Our Friends of SRT and Their Support for Theatre

1. What first drew you to SRT — do you remember a particular show or moment that made you fall in love with theatre? 

I remember it was Shakespeare in the Park back in 2011 just after I had moved to Singapore. Think it was Macbeth that year. I truly enjoyed the outdoor staging, which I had no opportunity to experience before. Later that year, it was Kevin Spacey playing King Richard III in The Bridge Project that made me a committed lifelong fan of SRT. 

2. What made you decide to take that next step and become a Friend of SRT? 

I realised that bringing in amazing global talent like Lea Salonga/Kevin Spacey to Singapore adds significantly to the costs of staging theatre. Also, the continued efforts by SRT to think big and commit to Shakespeare in the Park and homegrown musicals like The LKY Musical need to be recognised. I wanted to do whatever little I could to contribute to the vision of SRT and help elevate our Singapore theatre experience. 

3. Has being a Friend of SRT changed the way you experience theatre?

Indeed, the complimentary tickets that we get ensures that I almost never miss a show. I have managed to see most of the repertoire since 2016 when I moved permanently to Singapore. Being a Friend of SRT has helped me go beyond the marquee shows based on the Western canon and experience locally relevant, uniquely Singapore shows such as Fried Rice Paradise – The Makan Party, and Por Por’s Big Fat Surprise Wedding which I may have never seen otherwise. It has made my theatre experience richer and more diverse. 

4. Singapore Giving Week is all about the joy of giving. What does giving back to the arts mean to you personally?

It’s truly necessary to remind us to not take our blessings of living on the Little Red Dot for granted. And it’s incredibly important that we keep high quality theatre productions going for future generations. 

5. How do you hope your support today will shape the kind of theatre we’ll see tomorrow? 

I have been an evangelist for SRT within my friends and community. I do hope more people try out theatre and realise its immeasurable value to a life better lived. 

This Giving Week, you too can make a difference. Join us as a Friend of SRT to connect with fellow theatre-lovers like Ajit and help shape the next chapter of Singapore theatre. Find out more here.