the actors studio

the actors studio
since 1989
the founders
“
I left the theatre elated by the overall excellence of the
production and moved by the Actors Studio’s resilient
spirit - Joe and Faridah’s capacity to seize yet another
artistic triumph from the face of such recent tragedy.
”
Antares, Kakiseni.com (2003)
after the devastation of The Actors Studio @ Plaza Putra
Joe and Faridah found each other and gave birth to
The Actors Studio Malaysia in 1989; since then the
road has been filled with much joy, some sorrow and
an eclectic mix of wishing, hoping and fulfillment.
Through necessity, the early years saw performances
being staged in venues like the experimental theatre
University Malaya, The Old Town Hall and Auditorium
DBKL. In fact anywhere they could hang a couple of
lights and plonk in a set. For two people whose lives
were totally consumed by the performing arts, this
was a frustrating and unacceptable situation.
However, history tells us that Joe and Faridah went
on to become the undisputable Daddy and Mummy
of Malaysian theatre, making history by building the
first privately owned and operated theatre space,
culminating in a string of theatres.
Over the years, The Actors Studio has been responsible
for the nurturing and enabling of countless performing
arts companies and individuals and is in no small way,
responsible for the continuing growth of the Malaysian
Performing Arts scene.
For Joe and Faridah, this is still the beginning of the
journey. The end is nowhere in sight, not until there
are dedicated performing arts venues in every state
of the country.
This is their dream – and their hope.
the journey
1989
Joe and Faridah
set up The Actors Studio
in April 1989
1995
On 9 August, they
established The Actors
Studio @ Plaza Putra
theatre space below
Dataran Merdeka
1998
The Actors Studio
Academy found a
permanent home in
Plaza Putra with four
new studios in 1998,
after running arts
courses since 1992.
2001
Its second theatre, The
Actors Studio @ BSC,
opened on 20 January
2002
An old advertising friend
offered Faridah and Joe
a space at Lebuh Light
in Penang and on August
9, The Actors Studio @
Greenhall opened its doors
2003
On 10 June, floods
destroyed the whole Plaza
Putra complex. A month
later, a fundraising event
called Banjir in aid of The
Actors Studio was held
2004
With plans of a third
space sealed, The Kuala
Lumpur Performing Arts
Centre’s (klpac) media
launch was held on 21 May
In recognition of her
lifelong contribution
to the arts, Faridah
was awarded the BOH
Cameronian Lifetime
Achievement Award
2005
In May 9, klpac opened
its doors to the public
2008
In October, they were told
that the Bangsar theatre
had to be closed down
2009
After two weeks of Gala
Farewell performances, The
Actors Studio @ BSC closed
its doors on 28 February
On 10 October, The Actors
Studio @ Lot 10 with its
unique Hanamichi-thrust
stage began operations
Joe was awarded the
Medal of the Order of
Australia (OAM) for service
to the performing arts
arts spaces
The Actors Studio
@Plaza Putra
(1995 – 2003)
The Actors Studio
@BSC
(2001 – 2009)
The Actors Studio
@Greenhall
(2002 – 2009)
The Kuala Lumpur
Performing Arts
Centre
The Actors Studio
@Lot 10
(2009 - current)
(2005 – current)
The iconic underground
complex was the first
privately owned and
operated theatre space in
Malaysia. Its stages saw
many groundbreaking
works unfold and were a
starting point for many
theatre veterans. Artistes,
theatre practitioners
and theatre lovers all
converged there. The
space and its people
created such an energy
and vibe that that it
became a focal point
during the formative
years of the performing
arts industry.
153-seater proscenium
theatre, 100-seater black
box theatre, four studios
and Book Shoppe cum
Resource Centre
For the first time, theatre
was part of a complete
lifestyle offering. Its
strategic location in a
shopping mall proved
to be a hit and a hugely
popular destination
where theatre goers
could dine, shop as well as
catch a live performance
all in one night and under
one roof.
Penang has always
played a key role in
the performing arts in
Malaysia. Greenhall
meant that Faridah
could return to her home
state more often and it
was a popular space for
theatre pracititoners in
Penang as well as touring
productions from KL.
90-seater, end-on theatre
260-seater theatre,
thrust stage with threesided seating
klpac is the first fullyintegrated performing
arts centre in Malaysia
with award-winning
architectural design on a
historical landmark site.
It is the home of the arts
community and the very
lifeline that keeps the
arts and cultural life in
KL breathing.
500-seater proscenium
theatre, 200-seater
black box theatre, 9
studios, indicine, set
construction workshop,
resource centre & more
Theatre has never been
more accessible. With its
strategic location right
smack in the heart of the
city, it is easily accessible
by public transport.
Without a doubt, the
star of the theatre is its
dramatic Hanamichithrust stage.
200-seater theatre
highlights
Homegrown Works
Classics
The Importance of Being Earnest
Stories for Amah
Jamu
Metamorphosis
A Goldfish Tale
Uda dan Dara
Rashomon
Teater Rakyat
Social Issues
Mak Yong Titis Sakti
A Night of Cantonese Opera
Anak Bulan di Kampung Wa’ Hassan
Adam The Musical
Second Link
Life Sdn Bhd Series
nurturing the performing arts
Fauziah Nawi. Patrick Teoh. Datin Seri Tiara
Jacquelina. Leslie Dawson. Ramli Hassan.
All these names have benefited from The Actors
Studio Academy’s programme and went on to be
successful individuals in their own right. The arts
can teach us what lessons in classrooms cannot.
Today, The Actors Studio Academy continues to run
a whole host of arts courses for children through to
adults, for aspiring artistes as well as the average
person. Its arts-based corporate training is also
highly popular.
nurturing performing arts talent
encouraging creative expression
cultivating appreciation
& love of the arts
touching lives
The Actors Studio continues to bring the arts to
those who would otherwise not have access to it by
conducting free talks, theatre workshops, games,
performance training and providing free tickets to
schools, orphanages, the disabled and old folks.
improve access to the arts
enrich lives
drive personal development
The Deaf
heal those who have suffered trauma
Many of the residents have grown in their own
“
creativity and initiative. They are more in touch and able
to identify their feelings…Thank you for being part of the
residents’ journey towards healing and wholeness.
Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd
”
For the first time I learn how the physically disabled
“
body can make an excellent movement. I learn to love and
not to shy with own body. I learn to be proud of myself… ”
TAIHEN project participant
The Physically Disabled
While the ’80s had seen a flourishing of independent
“
theatre companies and their scope… it was the
Dataran space that allowed a flourishing of Malaysian
performance to transpire.
”
Sam Coleman, TimeOut KL (2009)
on The Actors Studio
www.theactorsstudio.com.my