TOO Episode 136- Audio New Play Festival, Raiya Basalamah's BEAUTIFUL

The birth of Artificial Body Transplants (ABTs) have broken new ground for cosmetic and plastic surgery, elevating humanity’s obsession with perfection and beauty to greater heights.

Cici has dreamt of the day she could transfer her consciousness into her dream body, manufactured with all the physical features she’s always wanted on herself. But what was once a dream has turned into a harrowing recognition of self-hatred, through the unleashing of repressed memories. In this journey, Cici is forced to come to terms with her body image, and what being beautiful truly means.

Written and directed by Raiya Basalamah

Sound Design & Composition by Jack Burmeister

Cast

Justin Tan as Dr. O

Frazer Shepherdson as Tate

Syakirah Noble as Cici’s mother and Sheila

Natalie Linn Titus as Ren

Raiya Basalamah as Cici

Bio

Raiya Basalamah is a Singaporean artist who has performed in numerous stage productions throughout her actor/theatre training at the School of the Arts, Singapore (SOTA) and Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). During that time, she has written devised works that dealt with gender dysphoria, as well as a cultural and religious identity. She has also written poetry that was included in Write the World’s ‘Best Of’ annual magazine in 2016.

When @raiya_writes, she is especially intrigued by the rawness, passion, and mystique behind her personal experiences. The grey areas of life, society, and culture are constantly on her mind, and as a young woman, empowerment and spiritual healing are her greatest ideals. These form the backbone of her writing.

*Note: This play deals with body image, and body dysmorphia, and has mentions of fatphobia.