Bon Voyage, Dr Seet

Event: “Bon Voyage, Dr Seet” (the official farewell party for Dr KK Seet)
Venue: TheatreWorks @ 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Road
Date: 1st July 2012

A Warm Sending-Off From The Theatre Community

They say all good things must come to an end, and last Sunday evening the local theatre community bade a bittersweet farewell to Dr KK Seet as he embarks on the next phase of his life, while presenting him with the “Singapore Theatre Vanguard Award”.

Many in the theatre community would testify to what a wonderful teacher and mentor Dr Seet had been to them, and how much he had impacted the lives of many, both professionally and on a personal basis as well.

Arts NMP Janice Koh, a former student of his, was the evening’s host (apparently the first time she’s ever MC-ed an event), while close friends Beatrice Chia, Karen Tan and Nora Samosir each took turns to pay their tributes.

Beatrice Chia shared about how Dr Seet single-handedly saved her debut directorial effort (and perhaps her directorial career) with his openness of mind and his willingness to encourage and nurture.

Karen Tan gave a glimpse into Dr Seet’s remarkable sense of thoughtfulness through the many little kind acts he had done for her daughter, for which she is extremely grateful.

Nora Samosir talked about how she knew Dr Seet from way back in JC, and how the Dr Seet we know today is essentially the same person from way back, and has retained all the beautiful qualities many have grown to know him for.

The evening was not just an occasion for Dr Seet’s many former students to bid him farewell.

It was also an affirmation of the love and respect which the doyen has rightfully earned from the local theatre community over the past two decades.

The various theatre companies were well-represented at the event, and the list of 23 companies which officially endorsed his award is as follows: Action Theatre, A Group of People, Blank Space Theatre, Cake Theatrical Productions, Checkpoint Theatre, Drama Box, Dream Academy, Escape Theatre, HuM Theatre, I-Theatre, luna-id, Pangdemonium, Sight Lines Productions, Singapore Repertory Theatre, Sing’theatre, Stages, Teater Ekamatra, TheatreWorks, The ETCetras, The Finger Players, The Necessary Stage, Toy Factory, and W!ld Rice.

Truly a remarkable man who has accomplished much in a remarkable career.

It is sad to see him go, and while it is almost impossible to imagine another Dr Seet coming our way anytime soon, perhaps one could also take a step back to reflect on how one man was able to positively impact the lives of so many through a heart of love, dedication, patience, loyalty and graciousness.

In his speech, Dr Seet left us with a quote from Johnny Depp: “May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face, and may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars.”

Bon voyage, Dr Seet.

(photos taken from Dr Seet’s Facebook Page)