TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Musical drama ‘Mencari Siti’ searches for young, talented Indonesian artists
Scheduled to be produced in 2021, Mencari Siti is being adapted from the classic novel Siti Nurbaya by Marah Rusli.
Change Size
The online audition for musical drama 'Mencari Siti' is open until Dec. 31 for people aged 18 to 35 who are able to act, sing and dance. (shutterstock.com/peych_p/File)
I
ndonesian culture information portal Indonesia Kaya has teamed up with renowned filmmaker Garin Nugroho to find young, talented Indonesian artists for online musical series Mencari Siti (Searching for Siti).
Scheduled to be produced in 2021, Mencari Siti is being adapted from the classic novel Siti Nurbaya by Marah Rusli. To be helmed by Garin, the musical drama will combine theater, technology, dance and vocals.
The online audition for Mencari Siti is open until Dec. 31 for people aged 18 to 35 who are able to act, sing and dance. After filling out a registration form online, applicants are required to record two audition songs, with one of them being the song for their desired character, namely Siti Nurbaya, Datuk Maringgih or Samsul Bahri. The songs are available on Indonesia Kaya's Instagram account. Contestants are expected to upload their video in a single post, tag Indonesia Kaya and include the hashtag #MencariSiti.
Indonesia Kaya program director Renitasari Adrian said a training program to develop the performing arts with Garin was launched in 2015, dubbed Ruang Kreatif Seni Pertunjukan Indonesia (Indonesian Performing Arts Creative Space).
“Now we’re looking for young Indonesian talents for Mencari Siti, which is also part of the online program talent scouting. They’ll be involved in the musical drama, which will air virtually,” Renitasari said in a statement.
“This online program allows each individual to get the same opportunity to contribute to the performing arts scene in Indonesia.”
Prior to Mencari Siti, Indonesia Kaya held Mencari Penulis (Searching for Writers) workshop, which saw the participation of 70 people out of 400 applicants from across Indonesia. On Nov. 25, the selected participants took part in an online master class with Garin and filmmaker Nia Dinata. They will also be involved in Mencari Siti.
Garin stated that the global performing arts industry, including the famed United States' Broadway, had piqued the interest Indonesians.
“We’ve always been close to dance and music [...] They are found in local performances in various regions,” he said.
“Indonesia also has amazing works from its writers. It has inspired me to adapt this literary work by involving a group of writers following an open casting and enrich [the work] using musical elements.
“Through this program, we’d like to give a chance for the younger generation to stay productive amid the pandemic,” he added.
In July, Indonesia Kaya organized virtual performance series #MusikalDiRumahAja to put a modern twist on Indonesian folk tales. The series garnered over 1.5 million views on YouTube.
“Mencari Siti program is our commitment to support the performing arts in Indonesia and scout young talents. Hopefully this program will receive a warm welcome,” said Renitasari. (wir/wng)
