Multi-Task Like A Boss With These Life Hacks From Beatrice Chia-Richmond
She's directing Private Parts... and juggling five projects at the mo. Who better to ask for time-saving life hacks?
“We’ve been talking about doing this production for four years now. But it’s always been my schedule that got in the way.” Beatrice Chia-Richmond is explaining why it’s taken so long for Private Parts to return to the stage, despite countless sold-out shows in its last few runs. Yes, ladies and gents, Private Parts is back again, and this time, Beatrice is directing the bold comedy centered around transsexual themes.
If the above paragraph is lost on you, you’re probably a millennial who wasn’t even born when Private Parts wowed audiences here 26 years ago. Back in 1992, Michael Chiang, who also wrote family-friendly favourites like Army Daze or Beauty World, told a gutsy story about the hijinks and struggles of three transsexuals in Singapore at a time when the Internet, Caitlyn Jenner, and you, dearest millennial, weren’t in existence yet. Private Parts proved to be a huge hit and in 2004, the play returned. Beatrice auditioned for the part of Edward, a transgender transitioning from female to male, a part which eventually went to Yeo Yann Yann.
So what really happened at the 2004 audition?
“Michael (right) asked me if I was willing to cut my hair. I hemmed and hawed but I told him I was getting married that year, and he said, ‘No, I will not cast you’,” Beatrice recalls.
Fast forward 14 years, and Beatrice has come full circle, directing the 2018 production that stars Chua Enlai, Shane Mardjuki, Jason Godfrey and Zee Wong.
Why did it take all this time for her to get in on the project? “Michael sweetly waited until I wasn’t directing an NDP or had some time to breathe…We never have the luxury in our jobs to really work just one project at a time. When projects pop up, you just have to fit them into your schedule,” opines Beatrice, who’s juggling about five projects right now. And to think that some of us can’t even Netflix and Facebook at the same time. Sounds like you? Then you’ll need these invaluable tips from this multi-tasking girlboss.
#1: “I organise my days in such a way that I put different projects on different days... I try very hard not to have meetings for five different projects on a single day. I’m working on five to six projects right now, so I’ll try very hard to give one project Tuesdays; Wednesdays I give it to Private Parts and Fridays are for another project, etc. The projects I’m involved in require creative input, and you need to really get into it and think very deeply about it. It doesn’t work on, like, two-hour intervals. You need to be in the right headspace.”
#2: “The only way I can manage my projects is intensive organisation... I’m one of those people who likes to prepare [ahead] ’cos that’s the only way I can get things done, even the simple things. If I know I’m going to have a crazy week ahead, like Monday to Friday packed full of stuff, I will use the weekend to prepare, which is weird because I should use the weekend to relax. But in some ways I can only really relax if I feel prepared for the week ahead.”
#3: “I pick out my outfit the night before... It saves me time [in the mornings] and it also prevents me from being late. If I’m late ’cos I didn’t prepare, then the knock-on effect is that I’m going to miss out on something in the day because I’m running late. I’m a kancheong spider. I pick my clothes, pack my bag, and make sure the car has petrol [the day before]. In other words, nothing gets in the way of me getting there on time.”
#4: “I use both a notebook and my phone to jot things down... I use my phone for overall tasks, like, to remind myself to call this or that person, buy shampoo, buy toothpaste, sign a cheque, etc. (Guffaws) But I also have a notebook that I use for work-related things that I need to do for the day.”
#5: “I walk out of the house with the same hairstyle every day… so I pretty much save time on that. I suppose I don’t spend a lot of time grooming anyway (laughs). As long as [I look] neat, I’m pretty much okay. I take half an hour to get ready, from the time I roll out of bed to driving off. That includes having a shower, putting on clothes and some make-up, doing my hair, and having something to drink.”
#6: “When I wake up, I’ll check my WhatsApp but I don’t reply anyone... I check it just to see if there’s anything urgent. The thing is, once you start replying, the people who are awake will reply as well, then there’s no end to it. I don’t like to state my online activity until I’m ready for the morning. I only reply when I’m home after sending Sol to school and have time to sort myself out. Like, okay I have 10 mins now, I’m going to start replying. As for e-mails, I only reply when my day begins in the office.”
#7: “What I learnt on the job that they didn’t teach me in school is… Be very versatile. Let nothing surprise you. Expect the unexpected, and embrace it. For crying out loud, stop throwing a pity party. Be thankful that there’s work for you and that people want your input. Smile. Remember your manners. And don’t be late!"
The Private Parts cast in 2004
(From left) Christian Lee, Yeo Yann Yann, Timothy Nga, Jamie Yeo and Kevin Murphy.
The Private Parts cast in 2018
(From left) Zee Wong, Jason Godfrey, Chua Enlai and Shane Mardjuki.
Catch Private Parts from Nov 2 to 18 at the Drama Centre Theatre. Tix from Sistic. More info at https://www.michaelchiangplaythings.com/.
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