I recently published “How to Build a Dictator,” which is a unique, immersive and experimental theatre piece originally performed in 2016 at the now-defunct Penang Performing Arts Centre. It was part of their Black Box Experiments theatre series, which included a bunch of unusual productions. I had decided that I wanted to act in this piece, something completely new for me. I would be the character called WRITER, who gives an opening monologue and just kind of stalks people the entire show without saying another word or ever breaking character. It was great fun. But because I wanted to be in the show myself, I decided I wanted to bring in a director. On the top of my list was recent graduate Ysabel Loh. She had acted in many of my previous productions, and she being supremely talented, with a steady and sure insight into how theatre productions work, I wanted to give her an opportunity to direct. She jumped at the chance, and we worked together to produce this very unique show. Ysabel did such a fantastic job directing. As I was compiling this script in booklet form, I asked Ysabel if she would be willing to write a foreword about her experience directing this piece for its inaugural performance. Ysabel graciously replied with the following words:

“My artistic journey was fundamentally shaped by directing Mark Sasse’s “How to Build a Dictator” right out of high school. This groundbreaking script was my first foray into immersive theatre, challenging us to not just perform for an audience, but to actively engage with them. Our most powerful tool was the live, on-the-fly research of audience members’ digital lives—their Facebook profiles, their public footprints. The on-stage revelations of this data were electrifying, creating a tangible sense of shock and holding a mirror to the pervasive nature of our digital identities.

The lessons from that production became the direct inspiration for my team, Dabble Dabble Jer Collective’s recent immersive show, “BURDEN OF PROOF.” Staged in Penang (2023) and with a forthcoming Kuala Lumpur run (2025), “BURDEN OF PROOF” pushes these ideas further, exploring obedience by having the audience follow commands from a screen. This fusion of the digital and physical creates a unique liminal space where spectators are transformed into active participants. For me, “How To Build a Dictator” will forever remain significant as the catalyst that opened my eyes to the possibilities of theatre, technology, and audience agency.”

Ysabel Loh, Director, Producer, Co-Founder Dabble Dabble Jer Collective

I’m grateful to Ysabel for her kind words and her visionary work she continues in the theatre field. If you are looking for a unique, relevant, fun, and poignant show to produce, please check out “How to Build a Dictator.”