Research Interests
Scholarship
Chelsea holds an MFA in Directing from Baylor University, a program they selected because the practical application of directing was underscored by rigorous theory. While at Baylor, Chelsea presented at several conferences: Theatre Symposium, Association for Asian Performance (AAP), and the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). The written pieces presented at these conferences have gone on to be published in several academic journals and despite not currently representing an institution of higher learning, Chelsea continues to prioritize research and scholarship in their private practice.
Material Performance and Performing Objects
Chelsea's interest in material performance and performing objects was sparked by a performance they directed at Baylor (see photos of it here). The experience catalyzed a Practice as Research framework that seeks to answer the question: why was the 'performance' of a tea kettle so arresting?
Read a draft of the paper, presented at the 2023 Theatre Symposium conference, here.
Colonial Singapore Theatre
Chelsea did a deep dive into the life of Mrs. Deacle, supposedly the 'first professional actress in Singapore' that evolved into the (re)discovery of the Gentlemen Amateurs, and how they brought English-language theatre to the Singapore Settlement in the summer of 1844.
Read a draft of the paper, presented at the 2022 Association for Asian Performance (AAP) conference, here.
Contemporary Singaporean Theatre
As a TCK raised in Singapore and former resident of the country, Chelsea is very interested in contemporary theatre practice in Singapore. They researched the Singaporean form of British pantomime popularized by local theatre company W!ld Rice, and presented a paper at Theatre Symposium 2022 that was accepted for publication.
Stay tuned for a link when the paper is released.
Ecocritical Theory
Chelsea's thesis performance of A Monster Calls was largely informed by ecocritical theoretical research they performed prior to beginning the production process.
Read all about the interconnectedness and deep ecology of the art of direction in their thesis.
