Backstage at The Oral Stage.

Introducing the Production Team.

Kelvin Wong – Founder, Executive Director

Kelvin is the overseer of TOS and all of its divisions to make sure they’re creatively consistent and in line with the vision of the company. As Executive Director, he manages TOS’ corporate-related affairs as well, from licensing, policies and legal affairs, to public relations and production copyright. Kelvin heads the QUIKSTAGE and BIGGSTAGE divisions of The Oral Stage.

Kelvin got his first taste of theatre in 2004 in Sunway University-College’s production of Tony Kushner’s THE ILLUSION, directed by Rey Buono. Shortly after, he founded The Oral Stage Theatre Company and has since written and directed EIGHT (2005), ROJAK! (2006), FIFTYNINEMINUTES (2006) and SCREWED (2007). Also in 2007, he directed his first full-length feature, a reprise of Tony Kushner’s THE ILLUSION – he also directed Paula Vogel’s HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE (2008) shortly after. Kelvin made his directing and performing debut in Singapore’s Celebrate Drama! Festival with MATCH (2008), his first foray into physical theatre. Kelvin was cast in Samuel Beckett’s ENDGAME (2006) directed by Gavin Yap, THE BREAKFAST CLUB (2007) directed by André D’Cruz, BANNED! (2007) with Anne James and 8 WAYS TO LIGHTEN THE SCHOOL BAG (2008), directed by Mark Beau de Silva. Kelvin is currently a psychology undergraduate, and looks forward to continuing his postgraduate studies in theatre directing.

Jeremy Ooi – Finance Director

Jeremy handles all finance-related matters of TOS which include production budgets, sponsorships, accounts, fundraisers, wages and ticketing. Also TOS’ financial advisor, Jeremy oversees its cash flow, constantly ensuring that the company is monetarily sufficient to run its planned projects throughout the year. Alongside Charmayne, Jeremy heads the STAGEWORKS division of The Oral Stage.

Jeremy graduated from Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) College with a Diploma in Business Studies (Accounting), moving on to ACCA Fundamental Level shortly after. He is currently pursuing his ACCA Professional Level and will graduate by end of 2008. Throughout the course of his studies, he has completed three months of practical training as a junior auditor at Yuen Tang & Co. and registered himself as an insurance agent with Great Eastern Life. Jeremy hopes to become a successful financial planner one day, with The Oral Stage being an excellent practice ground for him.

Charmayne Chung – Marketing & Publicity Director

Charmayne backbones the marketing and publicity division of TOS, ensuring that the community is well-informed of the company and its upcoming projects. Working hand-in-hand with Nicholas, she handles all media relations, marketing campaigns, press-releases and collaborations with interested parties. Together with Jeremy, Charmayne heads the STAGEWORKS division of The Oral Stage.

Charmayne is a graduate from Bournemouth University, England, majoring in television and video production. Her passion for the performing arts sparked off at an early stage when she started singing at kindergarten recitals – her zeal blossomed further throughout her schooling years. Upon graduation, Charmayne returned to Kuala Lumpur in 2004 and landed herself as an Assistant Producer with a production house. She completed Joe Hasham’s Acting for Beginners classes in April 2008 and was cast in ISMAIL THE MUSICAL (2008) at The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac), making her acting debut. Charmayne is also an avid fan of jazz music.

Johann Lim – Human Resources Director

Johann is in charge of auditions, contracts and appointment letters, maintaining the database of members, and generally managing all issues relating to people in the company – whether it be parties interested in joining TOS, termination of membership and/or general troubleshooting. Johann heads the GAMESTAGE and SSI divisions of The Oral Stage.

Johann got involved with the performing arts later than most - having started with Joe Hasham’s Acting for Beginners classes in 2006. That started the ball rolling, which since then has picked up BROKEN BRIDGES THE MUSICAL (2006), directed by Joe Hasham; FIFTYNINEMINUTES (2006), with Kelvin Wong; AH STEVE (2007), directed by Faridah Merican; TARI CANGGUNG HAMIDAH (2007), with Ibrahim Razale; TUNKU THE MUSICAL (2007), directed by Joe Hasham; ROSE ROSE I LOVE YOU (2007), with Low Ngai Yuen; and HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE (2008), directed by Kelvin Wong. He also performs for television and made his debut as a director and a playwright in UNCUT UNTITLED PAPER HOUSE (2008). Johann has a Masters in Software Engineering, is a budding entrepreneur and is very passionate about performing and writing.

Diane Goon – Logistics Director

Diane oversees all logistics-related matters of TOS which include the handling and maintenance of rehearsal and performance spaces, technicals (lights, sound, set, props, costumes, make-up, etc.), transportation and catering – basically ensuring that these departments have what they need and their tasks completed on time. Diane heads the STAGEVIBES division of The Oral Stage.

Diane’s involvement with the performing arts began with a passion for music at a very young age. Initially trained with the piano, she found her true love for the cello at fourteen, which she picked up only seven years later, under the tutelage of cellist Jonathan Golove. Diane is a psychology graduate from University at Buffalo (UB), State University of New York (SUNY) – there, she performed with the UB choir under the baton of world-renowned choir conductor, Prof. Harold Rosenbaum. In addition to UB, Diane has also performed at The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM; under the baton of Michael Christie), The General Assembly of the UN, and Radio City Music Hall (under the baton of Ennio Morricone) in New York. Upon returning to Malaysia, her cello instructor, Jonathan Oh guided her to performing with an 18-piece orchestra for TUNKU THE MUSICAL (2007) at The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac). Following the remarkable experience, she then played for ROSE ROSE I LOVE YOU THE MUSICAL (2007) with a 9-piece band, GREAT THEMES FROM FILM & STAGE (2007) with the KLPac Sinfonietta, and The EUROPA AWARDS (2007) with the AMPAC Orchestra. In 2008, she played for THE SPRING FESTIVAL and The HSBC PIANO FESTIVAL, again, with the KLPac Sinfonietta. Diane’s love for theatre sparked upon joining The Oral Stage’s creative crew for HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE (2008) as costume designer.

Nicholas Chin – Art Director & Web Administrator

Nicholas heads the art department of TOS, calling creative shots for company and project designs for effective advertising. He also administers the company’s website, keeping the community (and the world) updated online. Nicholas heads the STAGEVAULT division of The Oral Stage.