JAKARTA (ANN/THE JAKARTA POST) – Established in 1974, Teater Keliling is a dynamic collective of theatrical artists who marked their 50th anniversary with a vibrant musical adaptation of Arifin C Noer’s iconic play, Mega Mega.
Over the decades, the group has travelled extensively across the globe, showcasing its musical and dramatic productions at prestigious events worldwide.
Highlights include appearances at the Indian Ocean Arts Festival 1979 in Perth, Australia, the inaugural 1994 International Festival of Young Professional Theatre in Sibiu, Romania, and the Internationales Theater Frankfurt in 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany, among others.
Under the direction of Rudolf Puspa, Teater Keliling has staged more than 100 productions since its founding. With a diverse cast of performers over the years, the group continues to inspire Indonesian youths with its enduring passion for the theatrical arts.
“In theatre, whatever we want to say, whether that is a sentence, a speech, a song, it can be heard by many people at the same time. That’s what makes us love theatre so much.
“It’s not just a performance, it gives us a voice. I think that’s what has made us persevere until now,” said Rudolf, reflecting on the troupe’s long-lasting presence.
His wife and cofounder Dery Syrna stands alongside Rudolf in leading Teater Keliling.
“We welcome young people, and we believe in the next generation. We do this as a family, we spread love between us, there is no seniority, and we all care. Because of that, we perform with all our hearts,” said Dery.
Recently, the group has started entrusting the next generation to take a lead in realising its creative vision. For example, Rudolf’s daughter Dolfry Indra Suri took on the dual role of producer and playwright for its latest musical production, Mega Mega.
With a continuous influx of new talent bringing fresh shows to the stage and a trusted roster of creative leaders helming its productions, it is safe to say that we can expect another 50 years of Teater Keliling.
