Bringing the arts to the people

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PJ LIVE ARTS (PJLA), one of Jaya One’s latest features, is touted to be a unique arts centre and theatre for the community.

PJLA executive director Teri Choong said: “We want to reach out to the community through the arts platform.

“Our focus is not only on developing the arts, but also making the arts accessible to everyone.

“Some people perceive the arts to be something elitist but we want to make it accessible by bringing the arts to the community.”

Choong believes that the arts have to be of an entry level with a simple and direct message to be able to appeal to the Malaysian crowd.

For a good cause: Crew members getting the set ready for PJ Live Art’s first production called Wacky Bar. The play is one of the activities featured in Passionately You, a cervical and breast cancer education and awareness campaign.

“While performances will be our primary focus, we also hope to share the information resources we have to use the arts as a platform to create more community work.

“One example is to expose youths to the theatre’s behind-the-scenes work like lighting, stage, sound and prop design, as well as photography, videography and painting,” she said.

PJLA opened in July 2009 with its first performance by the Operafest Children’s Choir, and is now booked for various performances, plays, festivals and awards show till June 2010.

Choong feels PJLA’s location at Jaya One would complement the development’s numerous restaurants, and vice versa, and that its prime location among the PJ community would make it more accessible to the people.

PJLA’s premises at Jaya One’s Block K comprises a theatre (first floor), studio (second floor) and office (third floor).

The theatre, which Choong described as a simple and humble place, seats about 300 and is directly accessible from the car park lifts.

“Its initial setup took just over RM1mil and was completed in less than two months,” she revealed.

Jolly good time: Choong (seated, left) sharing a light moment with the crew members of PJ Live Art’s first production called Wacky Bar.

“However, we are in need of funding to finish the balcony viewing deck and a pillarless rehearsal space.

“The deck, which can seat about 150, currently serves as a technical space,” she said.

The theatre and studio can also be rented at affordable rates for workshops, seminars, meetings or events.

The studio, which is equipped with audio visual equipment and can be adapted to multiple uses, provides an alternative to traditional meeting facilities.

The additional rooms in PJLA’s office and space outside are also available for rent as private offices or to display artworks.

Choong explained that PJ Live Arts is a non-profit organisation as any money it receives goes back to its community programmes.

“We have an ongoing initiative to encourage and educate companies on how the arts benefit the community, and why corporations should look at it in a different manner.

Education and awareness campaign: Choong with some of Passionately You campaign materials that include the duck mascot, T-shirts for the Quacky Run and leaflets.

“We are open to ideas and suggestions to find avenues to sustain, yet share works of art with the community,” she said.

PJLA is also a key volunteer for Passionately You, a cervical and breast cancer education and awareness campaign.

The six-month campaign includes a host of activities like corporate roadshows, a Quacky Run around PJ on Oct 25 and a Wacky Bar play, whereby proceeds would go towards Assunta Hospital’s cancer treatments for women.

Meanwhile, the Young Ambassadors programme is aimed at helping underprivileged children build their confidence and character using music, acting and magic.

In the pipeline are plans for a PJ Live Arts Foundation that funds outreach and arts education programmes through an arts academy and theatre, and social programmes for senior adults like computer classes and gatherings.

Senior citizens and the wheelchair-bound residing in PJ should take note that PJLA is offering them free tickets for most shows (except for privately-run events) on a first-come-first-served and registration basis.