Theatresauce uses KL’s sinkhole crisis as inspiration in new project

What’s a more Malaysian way to shine on the international stage than to blend our city’s quirks, environmental woes, and unmatched talent? Theatresauce, a dynamic theatre collective, is heading to Chiang Mai, Thailand, to represent Malaysia at the 2024 Asian Youth Theatre Festival (AYTF).

The contingent will perform, teach and learn alongside artists from 14 Asian nations sharing their unique perspective responding to this year’s theme of “Changing Climates”.

With a street performance inspired by KL’s infamous sinkholes (yes, the ones that give us both a heart attack and a traffic jam), the group aims to spotlight urban development and sustainability issues like no other.

More than 200+ artists will gather from across Asia

The six-day festival will bring together over 20 theatre groups and 200+ artists from across Asia in an attempt to speak directly to the environmental issues confronting many Asian countries, as well as their impact on urban life and social landscapes.

Established in 2016, AYTF’s purpose is to unite cultures through the art of theatre. The festival will include performances, workshops, and cross-cultural debates that aim to develop relationships and creative interaction among young and rising theatre practitioners.

The team will come back with new skills, perspectives, and practices to enrich their future projects and the Malaysian arts community. The objective is to incorporate these findings into future work, inspiring local artists and audiences while strengthening their relationship with AYTF to expand international opportunities for other Malaysian theatre practitioners.

Performance by Theatresauce reflect issues faced by urban Malaysian cities

The team representing Theatresauce and Malaysia include long-time collaborators of the company’s past seasons: Jazzie Lee Jin Jye (Multimedia Designer), Mia Sabrina Mahadir (Emerging Directors Lab 2021/2022, Saturn Return), Dexter Zhen (Emerging Directors Lab 2021/2022, Alu & Lesung), and Tharanii Karthigesu (Alu & Lesung).

At AYTF, the contingent will showcase “Beware: Si Oompur Lumpur,” a street performance that addresses urban development and sustainability in Kuala Lumpur. The performance, performed in a public, interactive style, reflects the urgency of recent sinkhole disasters and offers festival-goers insight into the issues faced by urban Malaysian cities. This piece is both a tribute to the team’s home city and a call to reimagine its future safety and sustainability.

The team will host a workshop titled “Transformation Through Theatre,” encouraging festival participants to engage in creative exercises addressing climate and environmental issues. Theatresauce emphasises the transformative power of theatre as a vehicle for change by encouraging participants to create stories out of reused materials.

Mia Sabrina, a team member, will also take part in a collaborative performance with other Asian artists to create a multicultural work for the festival’s closing ceremony.

The Theatresauce team will use this opportunity to showcase our unique cultural voice on an international stage, with the goal of inspiring future partnerships and creating new opportunities for local artists.

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