Playing for the troops

Most people wouldn't think of joining the defence ministry to pursue a career in the theatre. Yet Ms Saleha decided that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was the best place to live out her dreams of being a star on the stage.

Involved in theatre since Primary 5, the polytechnic graduate was talent-scouted by the SAF Music and Drama Company (MDC) when she performed in Ah Boys to Men the Musical in 2014.

Her passion lies in community theatre. "As a theatre practitioner, I want to be able to reach out to the local community to create awareness and create change." A member of the SAF MDC since last October, she has embraced the full-on routine of non-stop rehearsals and twice-a-week performances for troops in Singapore and abroad. "The training is very intensive. We do everything from singing and dancing to hosting."

Her most memorable performance to date was when she performed for soldiers who were taking part in Exercise Wallaby in Rockhampton, Australia. Even the locals were impressed with the company's performances which showcased Singapore's unique cultural heritage.

What she loves most about performing for SAF soldiers is their enthusiastic response at the shows. "The troops are more rah-rah compared to the usual audiences. They will stand up and sing along and jump around," she said, chuckling.