An intense focus on performingarts
Famed local theatre company The Actors Studio now offers aspiring performing arts practitioners a solid way to equip themselves via a new conservatory degree programme, writes Aref Omar
THE Actors Studio (TAS) will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year. Through its co-founders Datuk Faridah Merican and Joe Hasham, the company has been a positive force in staging theatrical productions and nurturing new talent since its inception in 1989.
The two, who also run the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPaC) in Sentul, have an undying passion for the performing arts and believe that it is of great benefit to the community and Malaysians in terms of personal development and nation building.
In another milestone moment, TAS recently announced a collaboration with Taylor’s University to offer a Performing Arts Conservatory Programme, touted to be the first of its kind in Malaysia.
When met at KLPaC recently, the two revealed that it had been a dream come true.
“Faridah and I have practically all our lives wanted to have a kind of school of performing arts. That’s been our dream all this time,” said Joe.
He added that this new development was something bigger than the KLPaC/ TAS Academy that they currently manage, which offers various short courses related to the performing arts for children, teens and adults.
Faridah explained that they were approached by the university to work with them in developing a performing arts degree programme. “Of course, we jumped at the opportunity,” she said.
“We didn’t want it to fall into the liberal arts category though, since that does not involve any specificity. A conservatory degree programme is very specific with a tight focus on the performing arts,” said Joe.
There will be two tracks to choose from: One is a performance track and the other is a technical theatre track. Both tracks are three-year degree programmes.
Faridah said: “The people at Taylor’s have been very helpful, understanding and supportive.” Joe added that Taylor’s University deputy vice-chancellor and chief academic officer Prof Dr Pradeep Nair was instrumental in making sure the whole endeavour would work.
The selection process for possible students will be done through interviews and auditions, with the first semester beginning next year in March.
“The acceptance is not based solely on academic qualifications with Form 6 as a basic requirement. We need the right candidates from the start,” said Joe.
“So we said to the Taylor’s team that some people will come for the auditions and we may have to say no. So they were willing to take a huge gamble with us on that.”
He added: “What we want at the end of the three years is to be able to say, hand on heart, that this graduate will not feel out of place anywhere in the world as a performer or arts practitioner.”
Faridah explained that talent was the most important aspect that they would be looking at.
Those who go through the programme will also be identified for their strengths.
“If we find that someone is amazing at writing, then we’ll allow for a stronger focus on writing while still touching on the other things. Sometimes the students won’t know themselves what they’re really good at, so that’s why you expose them to a conservatory to coax it out,” said Joe.
”In a programme like this, your talent is the most important thing that will guide us in guiding you,” said Faridah.
They add that although students will get to minor on other subjects like journalism or public relations, the bulk of the syllabus, which took over a year to come up with, will be on the performing arts.
The students will also get lots of practical training by utilising actual studios and real performance areas in KLPaC to learn in a working environment. In being given the flexibility and freedom to devise the programme, Joe said that the technical theatre degree is something that is needed.
“Technical theatre suffers enormously in this country and around the world, this area is such a huge business,” he said.
The technical theatre realm entails the behind the scenes work area such as theatre, stage and production management, as well as lighting and sound designing and operations.
“In Malaysia, those who pursue these studies can work in radio, TV, film and theatre, as well as go into teaching, corporate training or arts management. There are many opportunities and areas to delve into outside of Malaysia as well,” said Faridah, who added that there will also be scholarships available for those with talent but not the finances.
The programme will be taught by mostly Malaysian industry professionals who have experience and are currently practicing and working.
“The pool of knowledge is relevant, appropriate and good enough to teach local and foreign students,” said Faridah.
Joe added that from time to time they will invite guest lecturers to conduct workshops.
“Maybe from NIDA (Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Arts) or Lasalle (College of the Arts in Singapore). We’re also looking for tie-ups with places like other conservatories around the world, so after students complete a course here, they can then continue with their further studies somewhere else,” he said.
“There’s so much raw talent in Malaysia in all parts of the performing arts. What’s needed is the infrastructure and support to develop and nurture these talents. Although Malaysia has a long way to go in the performing arts field, it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s hope,” said Faridah.