1989
Joe and Faridah set up The Actors Studio in April 1989.
1995
On 9 August, they established The Actors Studio @ Plaza Putra theatre space below Dataran Merdeka.
1998
The Actors Studio Academy found a permanent home in Plaza Putra with four new studios in 1998, after running arts courses since 1992.
2001
Its second theatre, The Actors Studio @ BSC, opened on 20 January.
2002
An old advertising friend offered Faridah and Joe a space at Lebuh Light in Penang and on August 9, The Actors Studio @ Greenhall opened its doors.
2003
On 10 June, floods destroyed the whole Plaza Putra complex. A month later, a fundraising event called Banjir in aid of The Actors Studio was held.
2004
With plans of a third space sealed, The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre’s (klpac) media launch was held on 21 May.
In recognition of her lifelong contribution to the arts, Faridah was awarded the BOH Cameronian Lifetime Achievement Award.
2005
In May 9, klpac opened its doors to the public.
2008
In October, they were told that the Bangsar theatre had to be closed down.
2009
After two weeks of Gala Farewell performances, The Actors Studio @ BSC closed its doors on 28 February.
On 10 October, The Actors Studio @ Lot 10 with its unique Hanamichi-thrust stage began operations.
Joe was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the performing arts.
The Actors Studio @ Greenhall up in Penang closed its doors.
2011
On 11.11.11, The Actors Studio opened the Performing Arts Centre of Penang (penangpac), the Northern region’s first arts centre.
2014
KuAsh Theatre, designed and started by The Actors Studio, opened its doors (the venue is now under a different management).
2016
The Actors Studio mounted a year-long Shakespeare 400 season to commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s passing.
2017
The Actors Studio launched TAS30, a 2-year celebration to commemorate its 30th anniversary, from 2018 to 2019.
2018
The Actors Studio signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Taylor’s University to kickstart a conservatory-style Bachelor of Performing Arts programme.
Faridah was awarded a Doctorate of the Arts by Taylor’s University.
2019
15 April 2019, TAS turns 30.
The Actors Studio @Plaza Putra (1995 – 2003)
The iconic underground complex was the first privately owned and operated theatre space in Malaysia.
Its stages saw many groundbreaking works unfold and were a starting point for many theatre veterans. Artistes, theatre practitioners and theatre lovers.
all converged there. The space and its people created such an energy and vibe that that it became focal point during the formative years of the performing arts industry.
153-seater proscenium theatre, 100-seater black box theatre, four studios and Book Shoppe cum Resource Centre.
The Actors Studio @BSC (2001 – 2009)
For the first time, theatre was part of a complete lifestyle offering. Its strategic location in a shopping mall proved to be a hit and a hugely popular destination where theatre goers could dine, shop as well as catch a live performance all in one night and under one roof.
260-seater theatre, thrust stage with three-sided seating.
The Actors Studio @Greenhall (2002 – 2009)
Penang has always played a key role in the performing arts in Malaysia. Greenhall meant that Faridah could return to her home state more often and it was a popular space for theatre pracititoners in Penang as well as touring productions from KL.
90-seater, end-on theatre.
The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (2005 – current)
The first fully- integrated performing arts centre in Malaysia with award-winning architectural design on a historical landmark site. It is the home of the arts community and a lifeline that keeps the arts and cultural life in KL breathing.
500-seater proscenium theatre, 200-seater black box theatre, 9 studios, indicine, set construction workshop, resource centre & more.
The Actors Studio @Lot 10 (2009 - 2013)
Theatre had never been more accessible. With its strategic location right smack in the heart of the city, it was easily accessible by public transport. Without a doubt, the star of the theatre was its dramatic Hanamichi- thrust stage.
200-seater theatre.
Performing Arts Centre of Penang (2011 - current)
penangpac is the Northern region’s first arts centre and only the second one in Malaysia after klpac. It occupies a space of 22,000 sq ft and is located on the 4th floor of Straits Quay marina.
300-seater proscenium theatre, 150-seater black box theatre, 3 studios & more.
| Year | Award Presenter | Category | Production | Award Title | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | 《蠢货》 | Best Drama | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat |
| 2004 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | - | - | Lifetime Achievement Award | Dato' Faridah Merican |
| 2005 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | 《驯悍记》 | Best Male Actor | 李承耘 |
| 2005 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Music | HSBC Classics Piano Festival | Best Solo Performance, Instrumental | Foo Mei Yi |
| 2005 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Music | HSBC Classics Piano Festival | Best Original Composition | Adeline Wong |
| 2005 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Dance | Women Born From Dragon | Best Music & Sound Design | Lee Swee Keong |
| 2005 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Dance | Women Born From Dragon | Best Inter-Disciplinary Production | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat |
| 2005 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | The Road to Mecca | Best Actor in Leading Role | Jo Kukathas |
| 2005 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | Romi & Joo Lee dan Lain-Lain | Best Design | Isma Yusoof |
| 2005 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | Play Time | Best Costume Design | Charles Jong |
| Year | Award Presenter | Category | Production | Award Title | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Persatuan Arkitek Malaysia | - | - | Adaptive Reuse | The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre |
| 2006 | Anugerah Seni Negara | Theatre | - | Bakat Muda | Gavin Yap |
| 2006 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | 《兄弟》(Brothers) | Best Drama | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat Noise Performance House |
| 2006 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | 《兄弟》(Brothers) | Best Director | Jason Ong |
| 2006 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | 《兄弟》(Brothers) | Best Set Design | 陈大明 |
| 2006 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | 《兄弟》(Brothers) | Best Lighting Design Design | 黄振业 黄筱将 |
| 2006 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Dance | Dream'n Butterfly | Best Featured Performer | Jack Kek |
| 2006 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Dance | Dream'n Butterfly | Best Choreographer | Jack Kek Woon Fook Sen |
| 2006 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Dance | Dream'n Butterfly | Best Lighting Design | Low Shee Hoe |
| 2006 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Broken Bridges | Best Group Performance, Voice | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat |
| 2006 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Broken Bridges | Best Solo Performance, Voice | Janice Yap |
| 2006 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Broken Bridges | Best Musical Direction | James Boyle |
| 2006 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Broken Bridges | Audience Choice Award, Musical | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat |
| 2006 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | Endgame | Best Design | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat |
| 2007 | FIABCI Malaysia Award | - | - | Special Award for National Contribution | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre |
| 2007 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | 《十》(Ten) | Best Overall Performance | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat Noise Performance House |
| 2007 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Tunku The Musical | Best Solo Performance, Voice | Maria Yasmin |
| 2007 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | The Lost & The Ecliptic | Best Lighting Design | Loh Kok Man |
| 2007 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Eh Joe in Electric Beckett | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Joe Hasham |
| 2007 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | - | - | Most Promising Artist | Brian Tan |
| 2008 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Dance | My Calling, My Stage, My Act | Best Lighting Design | Lim Ang Swee |
| 2008 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Dance | Passion | Audience Choice Award, Dance | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat |
| 2008 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Samy Ode Paatu in Let's Go Mamak | Best Group Performance, Instrumental | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat |
| 2008 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Drums Talk in Let's Go Mamak | Best Original Composition | Ken Hor |
| 2008 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Let's Go Mamak | Best Musical Direction | Julian Chan Ken Hor |
| 2008 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Let's Go Mamak | Audience Choice Award - Musical | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat |
| 2008 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Ismail The Last Days | Best Performance by an Ensemble | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat |
| 2008 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Ismail The Last Days | Best Original Book and/or Lyrics | U-En Ng |
| 2008 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Ismail The Last Days | Best Musical Direction | Mervyn Peters |
| 2008 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Ismail The Last Days | Best Performance in a Leading Role | Malik Taufiq |
| 2008 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Ismail The Last Days | Best Lighting Design | Lim Ang Swee Sandee Chew |
| 2008 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Ismail The Last Days | Best Set Design | Loh Kok Man Caecar Chong |
| 2008 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Ismail The Last Days | Best Costume Design & Make Up | Dominique Devorsine |
| Year | Award Presenter | Category | Production | Award Title | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Order of Australia | - | - | Medal of the Order of Australia | Joe Hasham |
| 2009 | Anugerah Seni Negara | Theatre | - | Bakat Muda | Christopher Ling |
| 2010 | Bintang Irama 1Malaysia | - | - | - | Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan |
| 2010 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | Big Head and Potato Head | Best Actor | Roax Tan |
| 2010 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | Big Head and Potato Head | Best Actress | Jinnie Lim |
| 2010 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | Big Head and Potato Head | Best Original Script | Mark Beau de Silva |
| 2010 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | Big Head and Potato Head | Best Play | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat |
| 2011 | ADA Drama Award | - | - | Remarkable Recognition Award | Dato' Faridah Merican |
| 2011 | ADA Drama Award | Musical | Aku Cinta XXX | Best Original Music & Sound | Lee Yueh Yi |
| 2011 | ADA Drama Award | Musical | Aku Cinta XXX | Online Audience Choice Award | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat ACX Productions |
| 2011 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | Nightlife Creatures | Best Actor | Season Chee |
| 2011 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | I Am Not My Pimples | Best Supporting Actress | Bella Rahim |
| 2011 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Music | Lush Life | Best Solo Performance, Vocal | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat |
| 2011 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | The Last Five Years | Best Musical Direction | Stephen Tok |
| 2011 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | The Last Five Years | Best Direction | Christopher Ling |
| 2011 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | The Last Five Years | Best Lighting Design | Mohd Fairuz bin Mohd Ariff |
| 2011 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | Cartoon | Best Lighting Design | Tung Jit Yang |
| 2011 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | Aku Cinta XXX | Best Costume Design | Swing Chong |
| Year | Award Presenter | Category | Production | Award Title | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | Dear Elena Sergeevna | Best Actor | Azov Sim |
| 2012 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | Dear Elena Sergeevna | Best Actress | Amelia Tan |
| 2012 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | Dear Elena Sergeevna | Best Director | Dr. Deric Gan |
| 2012 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | Dear Elena Sergeevna | Best Lighting Design | Amelia Tan |
| 2012 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | Paper Crane | Best Set Design | Yusman Mokhtar Omar Ali |
| 2012 | ADA Drama Award | Musical | Duo Duo, The Little Monster | Best Costume Design | 郭炜鑫 陈泓羽 |
| 2012 | BOH Cameronian Awards | Theatre | Usikan Rebab | Best Director | Norzizi Zulkifli |
| 2012 | BOH Cameronian Awards | Theatre | Usikan Rebab | Best Set Design | Hamzah Tahir |
| 2013 | BOH Cameronian Awards | Theatre | Macbett | Best Costume Design | - |
| 2013 | BOH Cameronian Awards | Musical | Marrying Me | Audience Choice Award | The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat |
| 2014 | BOH Cameronian Awards | Dance | A Streetcar Named Desire | Best Set Design | Paul Loosley |
| Year | Award Presenter | Category | Production | Award Title | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | My Husband's Wedding | Best Actress | - |
| 2015 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | My Husband's Wedding | Best Director | Dr. Deric Gan |
| 2015 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | My Husband's Wedding | Best Lighting Design | - |
| 2015 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | My Husband's Wedding | Best Set Design | - |
| Year | Award Presenter | Category | Production | Award Title | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Music | Symphonic Swing | Best Group Performance - Vocal | Junji Delfino Ida Mariana Peter Ong |
| 2016 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Music | Symphonic Swing | Best Production Value | - |
| 2016 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Musical | Uda dan Dara | Best Original Book | Usman Awang |
| 2016 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | 3 Doors Blind Spot part of Sisa-Sisa |
Best Original Script | Mark Beau de Silva |
| 2016 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | Reservations part of Sisa-Sisa |
Best Actor in a Leading Role | Joe Hasham OAM |
| 2016 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | The Dawns Here Are Quiet | Best Director | Dr. Deric Gan |
| 2016 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | The Dawns Here Are Quiet | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Paz Lim |
| 2016 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | The Dawns Here Are Quiet | Best Costume Design, Styling, & Makeup | Dominique Devorsine |
| 2016 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | indicinelive! The Revival Show 2015 | Best Music & Sound Design | Clarence Chua |
| 2016 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | The Dawns Here Are Quiet | Best Set Design | Zen Tan |
| 2016 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | The Dawns Here Are Quiet | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Ruby Yap |
| 2016 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | The Dawns Here Are Quiet | Best Director | Dr. Deric Gan |
| 2016 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | The Dawns Here Are Quiet | Best Lighting Design | Amelia Tan |
| 2016 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | The Dawns Here Are Quiet | Best Set Design | Zen Tan |
| 2016 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | The Dawns Here Are Quiet | Best Drama | Dr. Deric Gan |
| Year | Award Presenter | Category | Production | Award Title | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Xavier Mah Consultancy | - | - | #beaXsuperwomen | Dato' Faridah Merican |
| 2017 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | Richard III | Best Original Music Composition | Lee Yueh Yi Evan Siau |
| 2017 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | Richard III | Best Stage Design | Dr. Deric Gan |
| 2017 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | Richard III | Best Supporting Actress | Rosa Chong |
| 2017 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | Richard III | Best Supporting Actor | Anthony Lee |
| 2017 | ADA Drama Award | Theatre | Richard III | Best Drama | Richard III |
| 2017 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Music | Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto in A Celebration Of Chinese Music | Best Instrumental Solo Performance | Fung Chern Hwei |
| 2017 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | Richard III | Best of 2016 | Richard III |
| 2017 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | Shakespeare Goes Bollywood | Best of 2016 | Shakespeare Goes Bollywood |
| 2017 | BOH Cameronian Arts Awards | Theatre | Richard III | Best Director | Dr. Deric Gan |