12 Going On 13: Gateway Arts Uses Theatre to Build Emotional Resilience in Youths

A Theatre Experience That Sparks Conversations on Mental Wellness

From 21 October to 14 November 2025, Gateway Arts brings back 12 Going On 13, an immersive school-touring theatre production designed to support students transitioning through adolescence. The initiative, backed by The Majurity Trust’s Musim Mas Bluestar Fund, aims to strengthen emotional awareness and wellbeing among youths by creating safe spaces for open reflection and discussion.

What sets this year’s edition apart is its integration of structured research in collaboration with the Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI), which will collect data on how theatre can foster emotional literacy and resilience. These findings will help shape new, evidence-based approaches to youth mental wellness in Singapore.

Theatre as Early Intervention

Since its debut in 2023, 12 Going On 13 has proven that storytelling can be a powerful catalyst for emotional development. The 2025 edition deepens this focus by examining how performance art can help students better articulate their feelings and navigate the emotional turbulence of adolescence.

Executive Director Priscilla Khong describes the programme as “an experiential entry point to mental wellbeing.” She explains, “We’re not just staging a performance — we’re creating an environment where students feel safe expressing their emotions. Through storytelling, they reflect, empathise, and build confidence in discussing mental health.”

Past editions have shown promising results. Surveys from the 2024 run revealed that 91% of participants felt more capable of holding mental health conversations, while 90% were more willing to learn about mental wellness.

Turning Classrooms into Safe Spaces

During the 2025 tour, 12 Going On 13 will reach around 1,000 students through 28 performances across four primary schools and two community organisations. Each classroom will be transformed into an intimate performance venue for about 40 students, allowing for deeper engagement and interaction.

To extend the impact beyond the stage, Gateway Arts has partnered with TOUCH Mental Wellness to provide professional guidance and support. Counsellors will be available on-site, and post-show materials — including interactive sets and self-guided reflection spaces — will encourage students to explore their emotions at their own pace.

Trained cast members will also lead 30-minute post-show discussions, guiding students through processing their feelings and identifying healthy coping strategies. This integration of art and therapy helps young audiences recognise, articulate, and normalise emotions while learning where to seek help.

Building Empathy, Awareness, and Support

“Adolescents today face tremendous pressure — academic stress, social comparison, and family expectations,” shares Joel Wong, Assistant Manager at TOUCH Mental Wellness. “Through 12 Going On 13, we want young people to realise that they are not alone, and that vulnerability is strength. By creating spaces for dialogue, we hope to cultivate empathy and build a culture of mutual support.”

The programme also receives backing from The Majurity Trust, whose CEO Martin Tan emphasises the importance of community-driven intervention. “Almost one in three young teens in Singapore experiences symptoms of anxiety or loneliness. This partnership ensures that theatre becomes not just entertainment, but a safe, supportive tool for emotional development,” he explains.

Research-Driven Insights for Real-World Impact

With CEI’s involvement, 12 Going On 13 takes an evidence-based approach to measure theatre’s influence on emotional literacy and help-seeking behaviour. CEI’s multidisciplinary research team will develop evaluation frameworks, analyse data, and provide insights that will strengthen future Gateway Arts productions and youth wellness initiatives.

Findings from this study will inform how creative arts can serve as upstream prevention tools for mental health, reinforcing theatre’s role as a meaningful, scalable form of early intervention.

Looking Ahead: Theatre as a Catalyst for Change

Gateway Arts plans to expand the programme in 2026, piloting a longer intervention at a secondary school. This extended engagement will continue supporting students as they adapt to new environments and social challenges. The goal is to nurture emotional maturity, encourage openness to counselling, and deepen appreciation for theatre as a form of emotional education.

12 Going On 13 will tour Singapore schools from 27–31 October, 5–7 November, and 10–13 November 2025. Tickets are priced at S$35 (after a 50% subsidy from Gateway Arts).

For more information, visit www.gatewayarts.sg or follow @gatewayarts_sg on Instagram.

Images: Gateway Arts