Speech & Drama Arts Student Spotlight! – Muhammad Ziqry Bin Muhd Irfan, 13
Muhammad Ziqry Bin Muhd Irfan joined the Speech and Drama Arts (SDA) programme in July 2018. When he first joined the programme, he was only 9 years old and had a hard time making friends and unable to manage his emotional responses towards his peers. He is diagnosed with Dyslexia, GDD, ADHD and Autism. Despite all that, Ziqry is fortunate to have a very strong support system – his parents – Mr Irfan and Mdm Siti Jamaliah. They oversee his every aspect of growing and learning and often working hand in hand with his teachers, including his drama teachers in the SDA programme.
As a drama student, Ziqry always gives his best in class and in performances. He looks forward to performances and enjoys the limelight whenever he’s on the stage. Throughout his years in the SDA programme, Ziqry had appeared on many class showcases and performed at external venues. In addition to that, Ziqry looks out for his peers during rehearsals and often seen helping them with their lines or expressions.
We had a chance to speak to Ziqry in person and he was very excited to share his SDA experience with you.
| Question | When you first joined SDA class, what were the challenges you faced? |
| Ziqry | I was nervous, shy and could not focus on my tasks. And it was hard for me to memorise the lines. |
| Question | How did you overcome those challenges? |
| Ziqry | Having good teachers, like Teacher Corinne and Teacher Lifah – they guided and motivated me to do my best and supported me when I needed extra help. My SDA classmates bring me joy. I learnt from them when to be serious and when I can have fun in class. I remembered how my friends supported me in my first stage performance – ‘Hang Tuah’ in 2018. Also, my parents supported me a lot in this journey. They always help me out with my lines. |
| Question | Apart from drama skills, what other skills you have learnt in the programme? |
| Ziqry | I speak better, more confident when talking to others and learnt to analyse situations, especially during ‘hot seating’ activities. |
| Question | If there are students out there who are interested to join SDA class, but they are worried because they are extremely shy or have difficulty with reading, what do you have to say to this group of students? |
| Ziqry | Join us! We will have a lot of fun, don’t be scared or shy. We will learn a lot of things, together. |
It was not surprising that Ziqry was among the seven recipients of the SDA Outstanding Performer award during the DAS Virtual 19th Student Graduation and Award Ceremony. His parents and teachers are very proud of his achievement.
The Speech & Drama Arts programme is being offered in Bedok and Bishan Learning Centre. To find out more about our Speech and Drama Programme click here!
Click here for more information on the Speech and Drama Arts programme.
Written by: Muzdalifah Hamzah, Lead Educational Therapist and Speech and Drama Arts Programme Manager
