White Dew and Soft-Shell Crab

White Dew (白露), is 15th of 24 Solar Terms. It marks the point when the heat of summer slowly gives way to autumn. Cooler nights make moisture in the air to condense; dew appears on grasses and trees. White Dew also signifies a time of change, when birds start to migrate, and crops start to harvest. 

After taking a pause to reflect and reset, Kakilang launches its 2025 programme around this evocative moment. As White Dew heralds both endings and beginnings, we see it as an ideal time to celebrate its legacy, showcase the talents and potential of East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) creatives, and sow seeds for what comes next.

We are proud to commission 2025 pcm by Xin and JJ, an innovative video installation that playfully addresses the pressing housing crisis, and Prayers For A Hungry Ghost by KISS WITNESS, a horror physical performance that weaves together the mythology of hungry ghosts and family trauma. We also commissioned and co-produce Mountains and Seas – Song of Today 山海 · 今日之歌 by Xie Rong and Daniel York Loh, a piece inspired by the 4th-century BCE Classic that reflects on present-day struggles.

Simultaneously, we continue to invest in and connect with our communities. We will host ESEA youth music and ESEA youth dance workshops to cultivate the next generation. Our commitment to cherishing popular art forms and supporting marginalized communities is evident in Aiya Shoes Off!! and Little TASTE.

Kakilang envisions itself as a space holder for creatives at various career stages and from diverse ESEA backgrounds. We have new initiatives like Kakilang Connects, an informal gathering for anyone interested in learning more about us. We are also collaborating with Zoo Co for a day workshop on Neurodiversity & Neurodiverse Accessible Working Practices, and working with Ming’s Strike on [Alternative Roots], a festival that serves as a platform for projects and creatives who may not easily fit into existing categories. 

Finally, as part of our international outlook, we are thrilled to co-present Undone Theatre’s The Butterfly Project by Joey Jepps and Gabriele Uboldi, featured in the 2025 Toyooka Theater Festival, further amplifying ESEA voices on a global stage.

Like a soft‑shell crab that has just molted its old armor, Kakilang emerges from its recent pause, tender but full of fresh potential. White Dew reminds us that endings and beginnings are intertwined; dew gathers, birds migrate, and new stories take root.

Join us in this season of change—celebrate our shared heritage, witness boundary‑pushing work, and help plant the seeds of tomorrow.

Best wishes,

Howl Cheng-Po Yuan

Artistic Director/Co-CEO