New Directions

New Directions 

Mari Kita Bersandiwara!  - From Mak Yong to Randai, from Bangsawan to Sandiwara   - the use of tradition in the theatre of Norzizi Zulkifli 

Before Realism there was Sandiwara. Sandiwara was the contemporary theatre of the 1950s and 60’s. Seeking to reject British rule, theatre makers turned to folklore and myth to counter the myth of British might. They rejected Bangsawan as well, finding the extra turns, the comedy and the performances that lasted into the night was something that didn’t suit their modern sensibilities. But what did they keep and why? And what do we keep today – and why? Zizi and her company of actors scenes from the classic play Si Bongkok Tanjung Putri by Shaharom Husain to find answers and ask questions.

Fractures, Fractions, Fragments of Tuah by Mark Teh

On re/searching & making Fragments of Tuah. On navigating between sejarah & hikayat, history & story, berita & cerita. On myth, manuskrip & manusia. On unknown authors & solo storytellers. On mirror worlds & doppelgangers. On hauntologies & afterlives.Bio: Mark Teh is a performance maker, curator, and researcher. His diverse, collaborative projects take on documentary, speculative and generative forms, and address the issues and entanglements of history, memory, counter-cartography and the political.

Directors Roundtable - A discussion on the use of tradition in contemporary theatre led by directors Norzizi Zulkifli, Mark Teh, Jo Kukathas, Rosdeen Suboh, Ling Tang.

Norzizi Zulkifli memulakan kerjaya seni beliau sebagai pengacara televisyen dan pelakon. Antara teater lakonan beliau; Itik Liar arahan Dato’ Tarmimi Siregar, Tiang Seri Tegak Berlima arahan Rohani Yousoff, Demi Zaiton arahan Dato’ Noordin Hassan, Bangsawan Raja Laksamana Bentan arahan Rahman B, Bangsawan Siti Zubaidah arahan Zakaria Ariffin, Mak Yong Anak Raja Gondang, Mak Yong Raja Bongsu Sakti arahan Khatijah Awang. Beliau kemudiannya mengorak langkah sebagai pengarah teater dan muncul sebagai pengarah termuda yang berpeluang mengarah di Istana Budaya pada 2003 melalui teater Mak Yong Raja Tangkai Hati. Antara arahan beliau adalah Teater Muzikal Kanak-kanak Aladdin di Istana Budaya, Mak Yong Titis Sakti di Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLpac), Medea di The Actors Studio, Usikan Rebab di KLpac yang membawa beliau memenangi Anugerah Pengarah Terbaik dalam BOH Cameronian Arts Award 2013. Memenangi Anugerah Pelakon Pembantu Wanita Terbaik di BOH Cameronian Arts Award 2018. Teater tradisional Randai ‘Macbeth’ adaptasi dan arahan beliau telah memenangi lapan anugerah utama di 20th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards 2025 termasuk anugerah Pengarah Terbaik dan ‘Best of 2024’. Beliau mendapat pendidikan Diploma Teater di Akademi Seni Kebangsaan (ASWARA), Sarjana Muda Seni Layar (Kepujian) Universiti Teknologi MARA, Master of Fine Art (MFA) Theatre Directing Middlesex University London dan Doktor Falsafah dari Universiti of Wollongong, Australia. Pada 2021, beliau telah di anugerahkan Kesatria Mahkota Wilayah (K.M.W) dari KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong di Istana Negara. Selain aktif sebagai seniman beliau adalah pensyarah kanan dan merupakan Timbalan Dekan Hal Ehwal Pelajar, Fakulti Filem, Teater dan Animasi, Universiti Teknologi MARA. 

Mark Teh is a performance maker, curator, and researcher.  His diverse, collaborative projects take on documentary, speculative and generative forms, and address the issues and entanglements of history, memory, counter-cartography and the political.

Jo Kukathas is an actor, writer, dramaturg, director, co-founder/Artistic Director of The Instant Café Theatre Company (1989) best known for its political satire where she has played a variety of iconic comedy roles. She has run arts spaces, produced festivals, staged productions and toured/worked in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Brazil, Taiwan and Indonesia. She is an API (Asian Public Intellectual) and DDS Fellow (De La Salle Democracy Discourse).

Dr Rosdeen Siuboh is a celebrated Malaysian theatre scholar, director, and actor specialising in Southeast Asian traditional performing arts. Founder of Forum Theatre, his award-winning work spans film, television, and stage. His research and performances revive rituals, aesthetics, and comic traditions across Makyung, Jikey, Bangsawan, and other regional forms.

Ling Tang, born in Kuala Lumpur, is a versatile theatre practitioner with a rich and diverse background. She holds a Bachelor of Literature(Theatre Directing) from The Central Academy of Drama(Beijing) and received training at prestigious institutions such as Ecole Philippe Gaulier and École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in France. 

Her directorial portfolio spans a wide spectrum, from commercial shows to experimental performances. Notable among her directorial credits are "Ibu" and "Dong Di Yin 2017: Gari, Cari, Lari…".  Beyond directing, Ling's talent as an actress has captivated audiences both on stage and screen.  Ling's artistic journey is marked by a rich tapestry of international collaborations, residencies, and festival experiences. such as Avignon Fringe Festival, Kunsten Festival de Arts,, Brighton International Arts Festival, The Taiwan International Festival of Arts and Gwangju International Performing Arts Festival among others. 

PERFORMERS

Shahanz Akbar merupakan seorang pengajar dan aktivis seni. Beliau aktif dalam bidang teater, penulisan dan pengarahan dengan penglibatan dalam pelbagai produksi seperti A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Krue-Se, Mariam & Trump, dan Bunker 501. Sebagai pengarah dan penulis, beliau telah menghasilkan beberapa karya penting termasuk Rohingya: The Broken Lives, Healing’s Cheating Healing, serta dokumentari Tanah Pusaka: Ahmad Merican. Beliau turut terlibat dalam penghasilan buku dan antologi seperti Bisikan Aksara, Kumpulan Cerita Ibu Anugerah Maha Pengasih, 99 Kata AGI & SA, serta siri Antologi Teater Runcit (2021–2024).

Antara pengiktirafan yang diterima ialah Anugerah Penyair Sedang Berkembang (Sahara November, 2021) dan Anugerah Sang Wara Seni 2 (2019). Beliau kini terus giat menyumbang kepada perkembangan seni teater dan penulisan kreatif di Malaysia melalui pengajaran, penyelidikan dan pengkaryaan.