Dear Friends,
Sutra Foundation presented two lec-dems in Ipoh, related to ‘The Making of Jaya Ram’. They were held at the studio of Persatuan Seni Tarian & Pendidikan Antarabangsa (Ipoh) and at the venue, Bukit Merah Wood Factory, itself.
The lec-dem aims at acquainting and exposing Ipoh audiences to the various artistic and administrative challenges crucial in the staging of a performance. For instance, though the Wood Factory turned out to be a wonderful alternative venue, we emphasised the need of a proper well run theatre. Actually, a Smart-city CAN NOT call itself ‘smart’ if it does not have an art centre or a good gallery where the citizenry can express and share its arts and cultural aspirations. It is a shame that art groups have no choice but to rent expensive hotel ballrooms to showcase their arts & cultural activities. Hard Rock Cafes do not constitute an Arts Centre, pleazzee!
For all these years, Sutra is stumped to hit a brick wall to still find that Ipoh does not have a good affordable theatre venue to perform; albeit where various performances celebrating the rich and diverse traditional and contemporary arts of Perak, can be held at an affordable rental cost.
The JKKN theatre in Ipoh is too small, defunct and forever under renovation and needs dire auditing in terms of its facilities.
Putting the above gripes aside, Sutra put on its ‘cultural activist’ hat and presented a comprehensive and interactive, no holds barred engagement with the more ‘serious’ audiences through lecture, demonstration and discussion. The lec-dem is not just about the art and technique related to the dance part of Jaya Ram, but touched on other creative aspects of lighting & set design, music, costume, photography right down to sustaining dancers’ training etc.
Discussion on administrative aspects included areas of funding, branding, venue rentals, marketing, printing and publicity etc.
We endeavour to send the message that the creative aspects involving ‘producing’ a theatre production are not just about the artists acting or dancing on stage but include the coming together of so many related areas from stage management, house management, costume & props and other technical know-hows.
We hope to instill the realisation that the two hours of ‘seemless’ presentation of Jaya Ram represents thousands of hours of creative time and energy where different aspects of theatre expertise converge to give that perfect magic called ‘theatre’.
Sutra