The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat

Since its inception in 1989, The Actors Studio has been presenting groundbreaking theatre in Malaysia. In 2006, it created The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat arm to bridge the gap between the arts and the people in line with the National Arts and Culture Department’s efforts to ‘merakyatkan seni’.

The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat’s inaugural project was Alfian Sa’at’s “Anak Bulan di Kampong Wa’ Hassan” which toured to five villages in Peninsular Malaysia. Since then, it has re-staged many classics such as “Philadelphia, Here I Come!”, “Uda dan Dara” and “Rashomon”. It has also revived interest in traditional art forms through productions like “A Night of Cantonese Opera” and “Mak Yong Titis Sakti” and presented many new, Malaysian works. “Kandang” bagged the Best of 2017 Award at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards in addition to three other awards.

Christopher Ling

Christopher Ling is the Associate Artistic Director of The Actors Studio Malaysia. His work as a director and production designer of plays, operas and musicals has been seen in Malaysia, Singapore and London, UK.

For The Actors Studio Foundation, most recent credits include the Kembali Ke Pangkuan season: Saccharine, Perhiasan Kaca, Trilogi Bulan.

He is a multiple BOH Cameronian Arts Award recipient for Best Direction in the Theatre category in 2023 as well as the Musical Theatre category in 2012. He also received the Anugerah Seni Negara (National Arts Awards) Young Talent Award for Theatre Directing in 2009.

Arsyad Azrai

Arsyad Azrai is a playwright, poet, and youth theatre advocate and instructor. Arsyad’s works include SALT, Moonlight, Silkworm, Melody, and Teratai. Arsyad’s main body of work is as the Head of Creative Programmes of PKK Tuanku Bainun, where he champions arts education for youth as well as writes and produces original works under Artspire and the Teen Theatre Project.