Q

A year ago, we decided to do what we love, with people we love. A year ago, Chop Chilli Chop came into being. We spent the past 12 months meeting periodically, drafting and re-drafting, conceptualizing and editing. We have spent hours and hours – hogging cafe seats – standing over huge sheets of paper, poring over battle plans. Two weeks ago we started rehearsing intensely, putting what we have thought through in great detail to execution.

Every day we left the rehearsal space with a new play learnt. It has been quite an adventure, but I would not have enjoyed myself so thoroughly with anything less. I love the rush of re-jigging the entire play one day before show, fuelled by caffeine and the dopamine of inadequate sleep. I love pushing through, the adrenaline of facing unknowns and free-falling.

I am both so, so proud of ourselves; and incredibly humbled by this experience. I’m proud of the effort we have put into every little detail, every action and movement, every prop, every moment. I’m proud of us having the guts to pull off this three-(wo)man project. But i’m humbled because without our audience members, this could not have been possible. Thank you for coming to watch us with open hearts and minds.

And to our bestests, our constants, thank you for having our back. We can always count on you for your undying support, no matter how bizarre (or messy) our endeavours. From FOH-ing, coming down to give great advice, helping to clean up after – you girls are my greatest inspiration and motivation.

To the #FOODPORN crew – eloquent as i am, my gratitude is inexpressible with mere words. You guys have taught me so much: most of all that people should be brave and do what they love, no matter the cost.

To my most beloved #ChopChilliChop. We have come so far. Three tiny girls with the need to reach out and say something, in the way we best know how to. And we did it. :-) All the hilarious moments, all the intense breakdowns (together and at each other), through it all i knew i could trust y’all 100%. Creating work with your best friends is a huge privilege, and i’ll never stop being thankful for this.

And also to Hans, my rock through it all. For being the one person i think of in the breath i take right before stepping on stage. For being a silent but useful human being backstage, for sitting through our shambolic rehearsals, and for still being around after hearing my horrigible singing. <3