S2E41: Singapore's Les Miserables star Nathania Ong on what it cost to chase her dreams

About this episode

Nathania Ong shares her journey as a freelance artist in London and the challenges she faced in pursuing her dreams in musical theatre.

Surviving on vibes and hard work? What it's like working as a freelance artist overseas. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times. How does a Singaporean make her way onto London’s glittering West End? Nathania Ong made her mark by playing well-loved characters like Eponine in Les Miserables and Eliza Hamilton in Hamilton, putting Singapore on the world theatre map.  But how did it happen and what does the life of a freelance artist overseas look like? In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at the realities and joys of working in the arts.  Her guest is musical theatre actress Nathania Ong.  Highlights (click/tap above): 3:12 Being initially rejected from every drama school  6:39 Nathania’s West End debut  10:54 Deciding to be an actress  18:00 Realities of working in London  22:13 Advice to anyone aspiring to be an actor    26:23 What’s next for Nathania  Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X Host: Sue-Ann Tan ( suetan@sph.com.sg )…

People in this episode

Host: Sue-Ann Tan

Guest: Nathania Ong

Topics covered

• musical theatre
• freelance artist
• career challenges
• personal finance
• arts industry

Keywords

• Nathania Ong
• Les Miserables
• Hamilton
• freelance artist
• West End
• Singapore
• musical theatre

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Straits Times

Books & works: Les Miserables, Hamilton

Places: Singapore, London

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