KUCHING: The state-level Malaysia Theatre Festival 2019 prize presentation ceremony will be held at Balai Budaya, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak here at 8pm tomorrow (Sunday).
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is expected to officiate at the event alongside National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) director-general Tan Sri Norliza Rofli and other prominent Sarawakian theatre figures.
JKKN Sarawak in a statement yesterday said 14 theatre groups took part in the festival which was held from Sept 14 to 28.
The biennial festival is aimed at giving recognition and appreciation to all theatre lovers through high quality productions. At the same time, it gives theatre groups a chance to work on their talents through staging, script writing, acting, cinematography and production.
The participants in this year’s festival are vying for awards in 12 categories. These are Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Scenography, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Potential Actor and Actress, overall champion, first and second runners-up.
A total of RM12,600 in prize money, trophies and certificates are up for grabs. The champion will represent Sarawak in the finals of the Malaysia Theatre Festival next year.
The competition is judged by three panellists with extensive experience in drama, theatre production, acting, editing and script writing namely Zurairi Hanip, Mior Hashim Manap and A Wahab Hamzah (chief jury).
The competing theatre groups are Kolej Komuniti Mas Gading with ‘Alif’ by Bonifes Chuyu Barau; Studio Labu Sakti (‘Di Pulau Sa dan Di’ by Dinsman); Persatuan Seni Persembahan Sifar (‘Lautan Bernyanyi’ by Putu Wijaya); Grup Teater Lemak Manis from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (‘Mimpi Presiden’ by Joe Kas); Perfilems (‘Cinta’ by Jalot Jeman); Grup Teater Ngoncong Junior (‘Seh Dayang Suri’ by Rahmah Muda JB); Baltec from Batu Lintang Institute of Teacher Education (‘Sayang’ by Dr Hasnalee Tubah); Institut Latihan Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia Kuching (‘Diaspora’ by Yusof Bakar); Pertubuhan Teater Sanggar Kreatif Kuching (‘Ngayau’ by Dahiri Saini); Kelab Seni Lakon Bau (‘Dan Tiga Dara Terbang Ke Bulan’ by Aidli Mosbit); Grup Teater Asiilah (‘Skizofrenia’ by Zulfadli Kipli); Grup Teater Saoh from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak (‘Hajat’ by Aida Jamain); Unit Teater Dan Drama Cempaka (‘Suara Rimba’ by Joe Kas) and Teater Berkaol from UiTM Sarawak (‘Ayang-Ayang’ by Isba’ee Ismail).
Concurrently, other events featured for the audience will start as early as 10am on Saturday and Sunday involving government agencies such as the Perbadanan Kemajuan Kraftangan Malaysia Sarawak, Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), DBP Sarawak, Sekolah Seni Malaysia Sarawak and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like Bau Acting Arts Club among others.
Apart from exhibitions and sales, there will be Arts On Wheel programme, kids colouring contest, traditional games, traditional fashion exhibition, and arts performances.
