【MUKA Training: Acting Workshop】Stepping Towards Creative Actor (Advanced Level)
Workshop Date: February 25, 2023 (Saturday)
Workshop Time: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Venue: The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre Language of Instruction: Chinese (Mandarin)
Number of Participants: Limited to 12 individuals (Participants should have basic Chinese writing and acting skills)
／Target Audience
【Age】18 and above Suitable for theater and film actors, as well as theater and film directors interested in understanding actor communication.
／Course Introduction
Actors can be categorized as creative or imitative. Directors of new plays often favor creative actors because they offer fresh perspectives and possibilities, elevating the quality of performances. Repertoire directors, on the other hand, prefer imitative actors (or replicative actors) as their re-creations are based on existing performances and often involve direct replication. The difference between creative and imitative actors lies in their directorial mindset. Creative actors possess directorial abilities, not only seeking subtle character traits from an actor’s perspective but also analyzing a play from a macro perspective to assist in thematic delivery and compensate for script shortcomings. This comprehensive performance workshop provides a unique opportunity to unlock an actor’s innate potential. Through this workshop, you will learn to independently create scripts, direct your own creations, and perform original scripts. The curriculum also includes solo play rehearsals, cultivating your ability to be an actor with directorial thinking.
／Instructor Profile
Dr.Deric Gan Director, playwright, acting instructor, songwriter, artistic director of MuKa Space (Kuala Lumpur), doctoral advisor at New Era University College’s International Education Institute, the first Malaysian to earn a doctoral degree in Drama and Traditional Chinese Opera in China. Named one of the most influential directors in contemporary Chinese small theater after 40 years in 2022.
Graduated in 2004 with a Master’s degree in Directing from the Central Academy of Drama, pursued a Ph.D. in Performance from the same institution in 2007. In 2008, served as the director for the sports exhibitions at the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics. In 2010, founded the theory of “Life Performance Studies.” To date, has directed over 50 stage productions, known for the unique transformation of characters, versatile stage visuals, and the integration of Eastern and Western cultures in directorial techniques. Has received over 50 theater awards both domestically and internationally, consecutively named Malaysia’s Best Theater Director for seven years, establishing as one of the most influential theater directors in 21st-century Malaysia.
Directorial works: “Nyonya Emily,” “Medea,” “Eileen Chang,” “Forbidden Games of Youth,” “Tartuffe,” “The Dawn Here Are Quiet” “Richard III” “Peking Man” “Touching the Gold Urn,” “Platonov,” “I Am Happy,” “The Ring of Nibelung” “Rasa Melaka” and more.
Theatrical writings: “The Lone Ranger on Stage,” “Everyone’s a Great Actor,” “The Show Must Go On,” “100 Games to Play with Children”, “Seeking Duke of Saxe-Meiningen” “Stop Acting, Live A Life!” “Theatre Hunter: Where Is The Next?” “No Music No Life”
Workshop participants’ photos with the instructor: Album Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1z-Fjxye6_j8FlqtrPkmDByxsj-5hcfUE?usp=share_link