The Stage Calls

School Holiday Programme: ACT NOW! by Mano Maniam

Date: 18 - 22 August
Age: 13 -18 years
Time: 9.30am – 1pm
Course Fee: RM300
Registration Fee: RM50

Programme Outline: This is a fun and free-spirited introduction to drama for those between 13 and 18 years old. This workshop explores the energy, imagination and creativity of the participants and helps to shape and develop them by working in small groups. The participants will be exposed to structuring and creative story-telling. As the class progresses, the creative output from the participants will form the basis of their informal presentation. Appropriate for beginners and those who have participated in other workshops.

Programme Objectives: The main objective is to introduce the performing arts and its disciplines. The programme encourages participants to respond to instructions, to be participative, to work in a team and to be focused. The emphasis will be in structuring a storyline and using creative story-telling techniques. It encourages the participants to be involved in the presentation and this will help them to express themselves in public.

Biodata of ‘Cikgu’:

“Act Now”, initiated by The Actors Studio Academy (TASA), is Mano Maniam’s contribution to TASA after the floods at Dataran Merdeka. Due to its popularity, the programme is still carried on at The Academy@KLPac today.

A versatile performer, Mano Maniam has performed in Night of Purnama, Sindhu; Kamikasih’s Caught in the Middle series, A Man for All Seasons, Camelot, The Fantasticks, The King and I and the recent production of Adorations by Ramli Ibrahim. He also appeared in the Hollywood production of Anna and The King (1999) and The Sleeping Dictionary (2003).

Mano also does voice-overs and has produced and written scripts for videos on management training and documentaries.

His directorial efforts include Chekhov’s Proposal, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song, Peter Shaffer’s Equus, Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, Dario Fo’s A Woman Alone, Sartre’s Respectful Prostitute, Ramli Ibrahim’s Sindhu and Mano also co-directed with Thor Kah Hoong, Caught in the Middle Part II