In 1989, two people joined hands to pursue a dream. Unbeknownst to them, this dream of theirs became a phenomenal driving force that has and continues to redefine the arts in Malaysia.
The duo is none other than husband-and-wife team Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican and Joe Hasham OAM, Founders of The Actors Studio (Malaysia).
Armed with a mission to nurture the arts in Malaysia, they have groomed countless of artistes, created a string of theatre spaces and enriched lives by improving access to the arts.
Seven venues on, hundreds of award-winning productions later, The Actors Studio’s expertise remains unrivaled. It has presented almost 600 productions and over a million people have passed through the doors of its theatres.
Over the years, The Actors Studio has been responsible for the nurturing and enabling of countless performing arts companies and individuals and is in no small way, responsible for the continuing growth of the Malaysian Performing Arts scene.
For Joe and Faridah, this is still the beginning of the journey. The end is nowhere in sight, not until there are dedicated performing arts venues in every state of the country.
This is their dream – and their hope.