Content as he was in his familiar surroundings, this teenager from the Semai tribe also had a desire to step outside of his comfort zone and express himself in a new way.

His chance came when Sekolah Main Wayang visited his village. A theatre workshop for underprivileged teens co-founded by Ayam Fared, 39, and Fairuz Sulaiman, 42, Vivi and his friends were ecstatic at being given the chance to perform for an audience.

“After we did a show with them, Vivi messaged the group chat, asking if we could do another show. He and his friend were really into it. With grants secured, we organised another performance for an arts festival,” visual artist Fairuz, said.

It was a milestone for Vivi and his friends as they were able to perform outside their village.

“They put their full energy and focus into it, and conducted their own rehearsals. We didn’t have to do much. This felt like a success for us,” Fairuz said.

Founded in 2015 by the arts collective Main Wayang, Sekolah Main Wayang offers a unique experience for youths aged six to 21, particularly those from the B40 and Orang Asli communities, to express their creativity using masks, shadow puppetry and sound.

At this theatre workshop, creativity, collaboration, and self-expression take centre stage, creating a nurturing environment for youth development.

Supported by grants and funding, the school has conducted workshops in 10 communities across Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, engaging nearly 200 youths.

Fairuz, who has a background in animation, said: “We work with underprivileged kids because we believe art can be a powerful means of expression for them. Their performances reflect their emotions, serving as catharsis.”

Meanwhile, theatre director Ayam said that by encouraging self-expression within a supportive environment, participants gained confidence and developed vital life skills.

“Shadow, masks, and puppets provide a safe outlet for them to express their thoughts and feelings. Many of them keep everything in,” Ayam said.

Next month, Sekolah Main Wayang plans to conduct a workshop for Rohingya teen refugees in Langkawi, extending its reach to those in need.

Workshops can span anything from four days to four months, and focus on puppetry, acting, and sound. Under the guidance of their mentors, participants have produced original, often outstanding performances.

“We empower them to share their own stories. We guide, but they lead. Everything comes from them,” said Fairuz, adding that the first part of the workshop involves the participants teaching the facilitators about their culture, traditions, and way of life.

“We want it to be a two-way street. We didn’t want it to be like us, city folks, telling these kids what they should do. We want to learn as well,” Ayam pointed out.

For their performances, the participants often draw inspiration from their surroundings, and address issues such as land loss, bullying, and cultural erosion.

Ayam recounted how entire villages have attended the youth group’s performances, sometimes encouraging them to continue after the show had ended. “We’ve even had requests to take more ‘naughty’ kids!” Ayam chuckled.

To build rapport, Ayam and Fairuz spend time with the teenagers outside of rehearsals, providing an ear and fostering friendships.

“What they need most is someone who listens. Many have opened up to us, sharing their challenges,” Ayam reflected.

“What’s important for us is to provide these teens with skills to become critical about their situation. Critical about their identity, their rights and what others say about them. We don’t want it to stop at the performance,” Fairuz said.

To learn more about Sekolah Main Wayang, visit their website or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.