T

hey're young, they're fresh and they've got something to prove; the younger members of the seasoned theater company, Teater Koma are as solid as their predecessors.

Armed with a script from the 1950s by poet Kirdjomulyo, young actors, actresses and directors are set to take over the stage.

"This performance will be fully staged by the future operators of Teater Koma. This is the first time that our seniors will be watching from behind the scenes only," said Rangga Riantiarno, assistant director of the show Penggali Intan (Diamond Miner), playing on stages Aug. 1 and 2.

The play will be the group's 118th show and will mark the 32nd year of N. Riantiarno, who founded Teater Koma in 1997.

"In a way, this will be different because we are adopting the perspective of the younger members who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s," said Rangga, adding the script was loaded with poetic lines from the past.

"Imagine having to say lines that are not commonly used today and having to act them out," said Rangga, son of the company's founder.

The play tells a story of a man who travels to Kalimantan to become a diamond miner, only to be corrupted by his own greed and end fueled by vengeance.

The script was proposed by director Paulus Simangunsong and is the first in the troupe's history that has not been adapted or edited by N. Riantiarno. Paulus performed the role of Sampek in the troupe's 2005 production Sampek Engtay.

One of the organizers, Suntea, explained that this was not the first time the troupe's younger members had taken to the stage. "This attempt at regeneration has occurred several times before," he said.

Realizing the need to nurture young talent in the world of performing arts, Teater Koma has previously staged "regeneration" plays including, Raja Ubu in 1993, Kala in 1997, Sampek Engtay in 2005 and Festival Topeng in 2006.

What sets this one apart is that it is the first time the younger members have taken full artistic control.

"In a way it's more relaxing to work with our peers because most of us are of the same age, the discussions seem to flow more easily," he said, adding that most of the cast and crew were in their 30s.

"But there is still the challenge of upholding the big name of Teater Koma."

Since 1997, the 12 founding members of Teater Koma have encouraged young talent, launching 10 batches of aspiring cadets by 2005.

The founders' aim was to create a group of artists interested in performing local stories using Western theatrical techniques. This evolved into a style unique to Teater Koma, combining acting based on solid socio-cultural research with music and dance.

The group also developed into an informal training ground for those interested in theater, either as actors, directors or stage crew.

In 1994, the theater company began to make official shortlists of trainees, with each batch receiving six months of training in the basics of theater. At the end of training, each batch was tested by producing a performance.

The play will be accompanied by an exhibition about poet Kirdjomulyo and Teater Koma's "regeneration efforts" to date.