A Singaporean actress, Jaspreet Kaur Sekhon, who has Down syndrome, takes on a role in the play Invisible, addressing themes of disability, motherhood, and societal perceptions. Her journey from teacher's aide to accomplished actress demonstrates the importance of inclusion and breaking down barriers.
Sitting in the audience at the Esplanade Theatre Studio, I witnessed a poignant scene unfold. Actress Dalifah Shahril, as Safiah, portrayed a young woman's distress in a gynaecologist's clinic, where she received the devastating news that her unborn child had Down syndrome. The doctor, played by Jaspreet Kaur Sekhon , who herself lives with Down syndrome, matter-of-factly suggested abortion as a possibility.
This scene, fraught with emotional weight, was a key element in the play Invisible, written by Haresh Sharma for the Singapore Fringe Festival 2026. The play explored the lives of four women confronting invisible disabilities, including dyslexia, diabetes, and depression, offering a powerful look into their challenges. Sekhon's portrayal of the doctor provided a unique layer of depth and understanding to the narrative, bringing personal experience to the role and showcasing her acting talent. The play provided a sensitive and thought-provoking exploration of motherhood and the challenges faced by those with disabilities.\Ms. Sekhon's journey to the stage is an inspiring story of personal growth and professional achievement. As she shared in an interview, she was drawn to acting after working at a kindergarten as a teacher’s aide, as a member of the Diverse Abilities Dance Collective, and through performing workshops to school children and seniors. She grappled with the idea of taking on a role that required her to suggest aborting a child with Down syndrome. Ultimately, she decided to take on the role. This was the first time she played a character who did not have Down syndrome. For Ms. Sekhon, it was a pivotal moment in her acting career, where she could showcase her skills alongside non-disabled actors like Deonn Yang and Periyachi Roshini, highlighting her ability to act on her own merit, and not just in roles that focused on her disability. This shift in perspective was vital for her personal growth and her standing in the acting world. She has embraced her acting opportunities with gusto, demonstrating that her dreams are her reality.\Her mother, Ms. Rabinder Kaur, has been an integral part of Ms. Sekhon's journey. She is a constant presence, attending rehearsals, managing her schedule, and even running lines. Looking back to the early 1980s, when awareness of Down syndrome in Singapore was limited, Ms. Kaur recalls receiving a “negative” picture of her daughter's potential future. However, she persevered, and, nearly four decades later, her daughter is an accomplished actress with multiple productions under her belt. Ms. Sekhon's participation in Invisible, a collaboration between The Necessary Stage and ART:DIS, a non-profit organization supporting artists with disabilities, further highlights her achievements. The play, which ran from January 21st to 25th at the Esplanade Theatre Studio, provided a platform for her to showcase her talent and advocate for disability inclusion in the arts. Ms. Sekhon’s acting journey is a testament to the importance of perseverance, family support, and the breaking down of societal barriers. It is a story of success, as she has shown that people can chase their dreams, no matter their challenges
Down Syndrome Singapore Theatre Disability Inclusion Invisible Jaspreet Kaur Sekhon
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