CCN, Serang, June 2, 2024 – The vibrant city of Serang witnessed the grandeur of the Banten Youth Theater Festival 2024, an event that left audiences in awe and set a new benchmark for youth theater in Indonesia. Held at Jalan Ciwaru Raya No.25, Cipocok Jaya, this festival showcased the passion and dedication of young theater practitioners committed to advancing Indonesian theater.
Giri Mustika Roekmana, a prominent figure in the theater community, emphasized the importance of educational theater as a means to develop artistic talent and build character. “Educational theater is not just an art form; it is a reflection of creative, innovative, and competitive human resources,” Giri stated. This festival serves not only as a platform for talent expression but also as a means to reinforce Pancasila values among students.
The Banten Youth Theater Festival 2024 adopted the compelling theme: “Building the future of educational theater: growing, competitive, championed, independent, advancing in culture, supporting the advancement of Indonesian culture.” This theme embodies the spirit of breaking free from comfort zones and embracing contemporary challenges while honoring rich traditions.
The objectives of this festival include:
- Sparking globally competitive theater ideas rooted in local wisdom.
- Instilling progressive and creative educational theater values in the younger generation.
- Encouraging interest and talent in theater among youth as a crucial asset for the future.
- Developing theater as a dynamic, creative, and collaborative learning medium.
- Propelling theater towards the creative industry with tourism value, opening new avenues for the performing arts.
Through this festival, it is hoped that a new generation will emerge, capable of bringing Indonesian theater to international stages. By involving high schools and vocational schools, the festival is a significant step towards establishing a sustainable tradition in the performing arts.
The jury panel, comprising Ahdi Z. Amri from the Cilegon Arts Council, Dede A. Majid from Guriang Tujuh Indonesia, and observer judge Sulaiman Djaya, provided in-depth evaluations. Sulaiman Djaya noted that participants successfully presented local folklore, although there is room for further development in acting and story structure.
Here are the winners in various categories at the Banten Youth Theater Festival 2024:
– Best Theater: STA Working Class (SMKN 1 Pandeglang), Teater Pohon Asem (SMA Peradaban Kota Serang), Teater Es Kalapa (SMKN 8 Pandeglang), Teater Tenda (SMA 2 Kota Serang), Teater Nol Banten (SMAN 1 Jawilan)
– Best Costume: STA Working Class (SMKN 1 Pandeglang)
– Best Actress: Teater Gardanawa (SMA 10 Pandeglang)
– Favorite Group: Teater Litani (MTs Darul Irfan)
– Best Group Chant: Teater Litani (MTs Darul Irfan)
– Best Theater Management: Teater Batas Banten (SMK Ikhlas Jawilan)
– Best Script: Teater Nol Banten (SMAN 1 Jawilan)
– Best Director: Aisya Alya (Teater Pohon Asem) SMA Peradaban Kota Serang
– Best Artistic Design: Yusup Maulana (Teater Es Kalapa) SMKN 8 Pandeglang
– Best Music: Anwar Firdaus (Teater Pohon Asem) SMA Peradaban
– Best Makeup: Melan Selvia Ningsih (Sangsendu) SMA 8 Kota Serang
– Best Actor: Gusta Maulana Putra (Teater Tenda) SMA 2 Kota Serang
The Banten Youth Theater Festival 2024 has proven that theater is not merely an entertainment medium but also a vital platform for character and cultural development. With burning enthusiasm, the young generation of Banten has demonstrated that the future of Indonesian theater is bright and full of promise. (Ahdi)
