Gateway Arts Turns Anxiety into Art with New Youth Production Scaredy Kat Presents

Gateway Arts is set to premiere Scaredy Kat Presents this May, a fresh youth theatre production that transforms anxiety, creativity, and Hitchcock-inspired tension into a powerful coming-of-age story. The show marks the company’s first collaboration with award-winning director Yvan Karlsson and features a script by acclaimed American playwright Janine Sobeck Knighton.

Running at Gateway Theatre’s Black Box from 23 to 31 May for the public, with special school bookings beginning 21 May, the production stands out as Gateway Arts’ first to blend live performance with stop-motion animation and real-time visual feeds.

A Multi-Layered Story Told Through Live Theatre and Stop-Motion

At the heart of the show is Kathryn, a young girl whose dreams are big but fears even bigger. To portray her inner world, the production incorporates a short stop-motion film created with CineGangSG, using life-like puppets crafted by internationally recognised puppet-maker Frankie Malachi. This visual approach offers an imaginative yet honest depiction of how Kathryn navigates her anxiety.

A Heartfelt Journey of Friendship, Fear, and Finding Courage

Kathryn has struggled with panic attacks since childhood. Her safe space? Creating stop-motion films alone in her room. Her latest project stars Daphne, a timid dragon longing to leave her cave — a reflection of Kathryn’s own insecurities. When new classmate Nadia unexpectedly enters her life, Kathryn must decide whether to retreat into familiarity or bravely embrace change.

From the team behind 12 Going on 13, Brainstorm, and Third Man Syndrome, the production invites young audiences, and anyone who has ever been afraid, to celebrate mistakes, confront their fears, and discover confidence one small step at a time.

Creatives Reach New Milestones Through Collaboration

Director Yvan Karlsson hopes the story encourages young people to take risks and explore their talents without fear. CineGangSG’s stop-motion sequence mirrors Kathryn’s emotional arc, while the puppets designed by Frankie Malachi mark his first venture into stop-motion puppetry in his decade-long career.

The show also introduces a larger puppet, crafted by Frankie, which appears in the live performance, adding a layer of magic while visually expressing emotions in ways beyond dialogue.

Extending the Conversation on Mental Wellness

Beyond the stage, TOUCH Community Services will facilitate post-show discussions after each performance. These sessions aim to foster conversations around youth anxiety, emotional resilience, and mental wellness, guided by mental health professionals.