The Lesson asks questions about the forces at work that shape our space, and whether there is enough space for a heterotopia. The audience is presented with a scenario whereby the city has made plans for the development of an old housing estate. However, there is little space left, therefore an existing facility in the area must be demolished. What will stay, and what will go? The audience enters this scenario and participates in the decision-making process. Through this process, the audience learns about the costs, risks, stakes and sacrifices that come with creating a community.

The Lesson was first created by Li Xie as part of the It Won’t Be Too Long trilogy and presented at the Singapore International Festival of Arts 2015. Drama Box's Artistic Director Kok Heng Leun is adapting it to an online format for SCENES: Participatory Practices.

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SCENES: Participatory Practices is a virtual gathering of socially-engaged arts practitioners from Asia Pacific, and a practice of participation in shared solitudes. While gathering and live presence were central to previous iterations, against a backdrop of physical distancing, what other possibilities remain for critical engagement with society?

Taking place over 7 days, with 3 Experiences, 6 Workshops and 2 Conversations, SCENES is an invitation to explore how we can continue activating our sense of empathy and imagination, and overcome distance to create connection, community and solidarity!