'O', a bastion of campus theater

Muram Batubara ,  Contributor ,  Medan, North Sumatra   |  Sun, 04/27/2008 12:48 PM  |  Discover

While the heyday of campus theater performances in Indonesia is being overwhelmed today by professional productions as well as movies and TV shows, a campus theater group in Medan, North Sumatra, continues to survive and act amid local media and public acclaim, with theater buffs even yearning for its regular appearance.

Going beyond the confines of campus life, this troupe is capable of entering all segments of society in Medan, boasting its latest works without heed to the hard times looming ahead. Teater *O' -as the group is calledproduces an average of five plays a year.

Established under the patronage of North Sumatra University on Oct. 1, 1991, the theater troupe has a membership of secondary school and university students, lecturers and alumni, regardless of age, status and origin, which now totals over 200.

'O' claims to possess a manuscript collection of 27 plays, three monologues, a parody, the complete repertoire of a single playwright and a poetry anthology. With 60 performances under their belt thus far, 'O' is considered the top campus theaterical group in Medan and even the city's top stage performers, its works enjoyed by university staff and students, as well as the general public.

The troupe's members, who show no objection to or attention to their being equated with Medan's professional stage actors, stick to their campus identity despite their laudable performances.

I'ts the plays that matter. We don't care if people say we're top or first-rate. We just want to keep acting. If they hail us as such, it's because our audiences are appreciative," said Agus Mulia, a senior actors and one of the best at *O'.

As theatergoers in the city are mostly inclined to enjoying uncomplicated stories,has tended to choose comedy plays to maintain the bridge between the troupe and its audience - though its actors are able and willing to present experimental and absurd themes that are currently in vogue among dramatists in Medan.

"Comedies have been our choice right from the start. Our shows have virtually formed Medan's theater audiences.has cultivated a comedy trend in this city - you can believe it or not," said Irvan Sugito, who headedas its general chairman from 2004-2006.

As its repertoire of comic plays extend to satirical dramas, some of the Medan press have describedasTeater Koma", referring to the highly acclaimed Jakarta theater company.

When asked about this reference, Irvan laughed.

"It's just false representation. When an Indonesian soccer player scores a goal, for instance, he is calledBeckham'. It's just odd. You can call it Koma or whatever, but we remain 'O'," said Irvan.

Turning on a TV in their studio, he found a national station that was broadcasting the play, Akhirnya Datang Juga (At last they come).

Indicating the play,member Agus Mulia promptly commented:how we trained in the beginning. Such (dramatic) techniques have forged us into reliable actors. The methods are much better than playing make-believe as beggars or lunatics on the street."

Interestingly, even though it is a campus organization, Teaterhas active members from all walks of life, such as Agus, who works at the Medan Language Center, and Irvan, a journalist at a Medan sports daily.

Unlike most members from the universitywho, after graduating, will generally be preoccupied with their jobs or choose to perform with non-campus groups or to create new ones - *O' actors are not concerned about status and feel comfortable with their artistic expressions.

A likely shortcoming of this unlimited membership is that regeneration may be hampered, as the continued presence of alumni can minimize the role of new students.

Agus, however, deemed this a minor issue, because not all 200 members want to be actors and the troupe offers other production-related divisions like props, music, makeup and wardrobe.

Accordin to him, everything comes together byselection", and acting on stage with juniors means a smooth transfer of knowledge and skills.

"Seniority is a matter of capability rather than age. That's the concept we follow atadded Irvan.

There was no acting practice that evening, but still theheadquarters looked busy.

It turns out that Teatermembers have made the main studio their home. So, whether they are training formally or not, most of them will come around to exchange views and know-how.

"We are a family, so we are always gathering together. It's our formula of a *company'," Agus said.

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