“Friends, aliens, monsters and unidentified fabulous objects…,” Wild Rice founding artistic director Ivan Heng endearingly called out to guests, who had sportingly dressed to the “Out of this World” theme, at the 17th edition of the Rice Ball. But unlike other editions, this year’s fundraising gala was special for $500,000 of the $1.275m raised that evening will go towards its brand-new theatre at the upcoming Funan lifestyle complex, which will open its doors in September 2019. The Plant a Seat campaign, which enables donors to inscribe their names on the theatre’s custom-designed seats, will help Wild Rice continue its mission of creating world-class theatre and nurturing the next generation of thespians and audiences. As per tradition, guests were entertained by a concert extravaganza, directed by Heng and associate artistic director Glen Goei, befitting of a theatre company that pushes boundaries.