By Peng Jiayi (Chairperson), Tan Wen Jun Karissa (Vice-Chairperson), Teh Zi Ern (Secretary), Jacques Lim Jie Xuan (Drama Section Leader) and Song Yutong (Songwriting Section Leader)
Have you ever wondered how your favourite Chinese songs are written? Do you love watching Chinese dramas? Or have you ever wished to meet people like you, who appreciate Chinese language and culture? If this sounds relatable, then Chinese Literary Drama Cultural Society (CLDCS) is definitely the CCA for you!
CLDCS consists of the Songwriting and Drama sections, and both are closely linked. You can choose to join either one or both sections (highly encouraged!). Regardless of your choice, we guarantee you will make lasting memories, forge strong friendships with like-minded individuals, and ultimately, have loads of fun!
Songwriting
Ever dreamed of singing your very own songs on stage? Whether it is a trio with your closest friends, or your solo song to take in whatever direction, our songwriting section is the one for you! Songwriting sessions are held once a week, on Tuesdays 4.15pm-6.15pm, in the MEP studio.
As long as you enjoy listening to music and are interested in creating your own songs, our instructor Mr Keith Kwok will definitely help you in your songwriting journey. Fun Fact: Mr Kwok has previously worked with big names like JJ Lin, Kit Chan, and many more! Previous batches of songwriting members even got to record their songs in Mr Keith’s recording studio, which would then be professionally mixed and mastered, just like any other pop song.
Through light-hearted and interactive CCA sessions, members are encouraged to share and collaborate with one another. Takeaways from our sessions include (but not limited to) chord progressions, harmonies, and motifs, which are key elements of any pop song.
The hard work of all members is shown off during special events like Chinese New Year, where CLDCS is proud to be involved in creating special performances to hype up the school’s festive atmosphere! During our Annual Performance (read more below!), consisting of a 10 song set list, members are provided with abundant opportunities to write about anything from the highs of youth and dreams to the lows of unrequited love and loss. It’s your call!
What’s a better memento to take away from your JC life than your very own hand-crafted songs? Perhaps only the everlasting memories with your batchmates on- and off-stage!
Drama
“Must I be good at acting to join the CLDCS drama section?” Fret not! A complete play requires a lot more than just actors. From directors and scriptwriters to makeup artists and stage managers, there are many roles that you can choose to take on in the drama section. Nevertheless, should you wish to act but lack acting experience, we welcome anyone and everyone to try their hand at being an actor- after all, there’s no better time to start than today!
Our drama sessions are conducted every Wednesday, 3pm-5pm, in the Theatre Studies Room, with the occasional extra practices on Friday afternoons just before annual production (usually just before the June holidays!) and SYF in 2026.
The theme of drama sessions varies based on the time periods–from rehearsals before our annual production or SYF to acting, directing and stage designing sessions. Mr. David Wong, our drama instructor who’s a veteran theatre practitioner, provides advice and tips on how to write our own scripts and teaches us the most expressive ways to channel our inner emotions onstage. This year, we created two original dramas 《超能力》(Superpower) and 《若有所诗》（Lost Soul) for our annual production.
Apart from what one sees onstage, our production thrives with a committed crew of makeup artists, lights and sounds managers, and prop producers. Other than fun memories that you might take away from your time in CLDCS, we hope that your venture into our drama section will provide valuable insights into the workings of a complete production and equip you with valuable drama skills, from writing a good script and acting on stage, to directing a production and working backstage.
Behind the stage, our in-house script writers and directors are the heart of each play, giving life to a variety of stories. From heart-tugging family dramas to sci-fi themed dramas, our team works hard to transport audiences into the magical world of theatre. No theatre experience? No problem! Just enjoy the drama-making process and we will show you the ropes along the way!
CLDCS as a Whole
In our annual production, 翠谷回响 (Cui Gu Hui Xiang), members of the songwriting section get to perform their songs live and the drama section showcases the plays which they have worked on tirelessly. Everyone in CLDCS has a role to play and are all key to the success of our concert.
This year, our production was another major success, seeing a nearly full-house performance. In 2025, we hope that you join us to create even greater harmonies and more captivating stories, and most importantly, expand our CLDCS family!
Finally, just know that you don’t have to worry about your language proficiency! You need not be a Chinese expert to join our CCA. Our goal is to nurture a love for Chinese culture, no matter your language skills. What matters most is your willingness to learn from peers and mentors, and just have fun!
For CCA trials, you can expect to experience a taste of what our everyday CCA sessions are like! We will be looking out for passionate learners who are able to adapt well and work effectively in teams. Do note that everyone, regardless of Chinese proficiency or singing/acting experience, is welcomed to participate and join our CCA family! To learn more about CLDCS and what we do, do follow us on Instagram @ri_cldcs. We hope to see you at CCA trials and future CLDCS performances!
