From his time as a performing “recruit” at the Music & Drama Company (MDC) to his eventual transition into production, Kevin Brendan has always been steered by his penchant for storytelling that reflects the experiences of everyday people. Today, he hopes to continue our generational legacy of military comradeship with this very flair.
We speak to Kevin to learn more about his unconventional National Service vocation, his creative drive and the plans he has in store for the new season of Recruits’ Night.
Singing and dancing to the beat of Singapore’s drum
Instead of the quintessential No. 4 uniform, Kevin Brendan found himself in the spotlight as an artiste when he enlisted in 2018. As part of his duties, he was to perform in various thematic productions for our soldiers. “I did everything from singing, acting and dancing to even hosting. Whether it was the National Day Parade, NDOC at MINDEF or the many Recruits’ Night shows at Tekong, the experiences were really rewarding,” he shares.
While he did not get to march in the fields, Kevin worked tirelessly to keep up his infectious enthusiasm and upbeat stage presence for troops looking for a bit of reprieve from the everyday. And it is through these organic interactions with our military that he continues to empower his vocation as a storyteller, artist and performer.
“Small things, such as the little phrases we picked up from the various ethnicities when we were NSFs, resonated deeply with me. It is moments like these which drive my creative pursuits,” he introspects.
Sure, he may not have been the conventional soldier, but Kevin carried a huge responsibility. Our soldiers deserve that positive reinforcement to remind them of the significance of their service to our nation, of the people that depend on them and of the many chronicles of National Service that make it a one-of-a-kind experience.
“Sometimes, shedding light on the little things – both good and bad – allow us to relate to experiences that we may not have ourselves. Sometimes, it’s simply about making someone laugh, because we can all use a good laugh now and then,” he shares.
Unsurprisingly, he joined the company as a full-time singer after completing his National Service in 2020. “I love how the MDC transforms everyday narratives into magical and thought-provoking experiences!” he remarks, “I’m grateful that at MDC, we can educate, entertain and uplift others simply by doing what we love.”
Recruits’ Night, reimagined
When Kevin was given the opportunity to work as a producer in 2023, he had the opportunity to spearhead some notable military milestones, such as the National Day Observance Ceremony in 2023, as well as a collaborative performance coined “The Singapura Express” for Exercise Wallaby in Australia. “These projects were opportunities that I could only dream of,” he muses. Just recently, he has been granted another pivotal artistic venture to oversee – Recruits’ Night.
“We’re so excited for the upcoming season! We have a whole new set of music, costumes and staging in store. As a big fan of musical theatre, you can bet there’ll be a touch of drama in my shows,” he hypes. While he wasn’t ready to share the specifics, he did promise that “it’s definitely going to be a night to remember!”
Celebrating SG60
In addition to his current role as producer, Kevin will also be involved in the various upcoming SG60-themed festivities. Its theme – Building Our Singapore Together – is especially fitting seeing how his own experiences in MDC have shown him how narratives can truly come alive when communities come together for a shared cause. “I believe we can celebrate each other more by creating more spaces for local artists to exchange the many stories that make up the uniquely Singaporean way of life,” he shares.
Just as SG60 is a cumulative celebration of a generational legacy built on a shared vision for success, Kevin today is a product of the many successes, failures, joys and pains that have now defined him as a performer and a patriot. “I used to understand success as being at the right place, at the right time. As I grew older, I realised that you also have to prime yourself for these opportunities,” he admits, “we can’t just sit around waiting for our dreams to come true.”
For the National Servicemen who do not fit the conventional military frame and are navigating how they can contribute while still being themselves, he leaves us with some wisdom – “Trust that either way, it’s still your time, your life and your skills. Whatever it is you’re doing, as long as you are able to find fulfilment from it, you’re not going to need to fit in any mould.”
Read more about the team of talents who work with Kevin Brendan at MDC, including senior lead technician Nur Amirah and producer Melissa Aslam.
Follow MDC socials for the latest updates: Instagram @musicanddramacompany, TikTok @musicanddramacomp, Facebook @musicanddramacompany and YouTube @musicdramacompany
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