Co-Founders
Dato’ Dr Faridah Merican, Executive Producer & Co-Founder
Known as the First Lady of Malaysian Theatre, Faridah’s early acting credits include such plays as ‘Lela Mayang’, ‘Tok Perak’, ‘Uda dan Dara’ and ‘Alang Rentak Seribu’, works that defined the Malaysian theatre in the 60s and 70s, and determined the direction that theatre would take in the next few decades.
In the early 60s, she joined Radio and TV Malaysia. Simultaneously, she was involved in the formative years of Malaysian Advertising, and served on the Board of Ogilvy & Mather for several years. She also sits on the board of several other institutions.
In 1989, Faridah co-founded The Actors Studio with her husband Joe Hasham OAM. In June of 2003, floods destroyed the entire complex of The Actors Studio in Plaza Putra, Dataran Merdeka. Out of that devastation, Faridah’s ‘nothing is impossible’ attitude generated yet another ground-breaking event – the birth of The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, set up by the YTL Group, Yayasan Budi Penyayang and The Actors Studio.
Over the years, Faridah has been awarded the Ahli Mangku Negara in 1973, the Darjah Johan Negeri in 2001, the Johan Setia Mahkota in 2004, the BOH Cameronian Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2005, Faridah was conferred the ‘Darjah Dato’ Paduka Tuanku Ja’afar by the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan on the occasion of His Highness’ 83rd Birthday. The following year, she received an Honorary Master of Letters at University Sains Malaysia’s 35th Convocation. Finally in 2014, Faridah received the Outstanding Achievement award under the Arts, Culture and Entertainment category from the Inaugural Malaysian Women of Excellence Awards. In 2011, she co-founded the Performing Arts Centre of Penang (penangpac) which operated until 2022.
She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in the Arts by Taylor’s University in 2018. Faridah is currently the Adjunct Professor & Programme Development Director of TUTAS, Malaysia’s first performing arts conservatory degree programme by The Actors Studio and Taylor’s University.
Joe Hasham OAM, Artistic Director & Co-Founder
Joe was born in Tripoli, Lebanon, did his schooling in Sydney, Australia, moved to Malaysia in 1984 and is now a proud permanent resident of his adopted country. Joe is Artistic Director of The Actors Studio, which he set up with his wife Faridah in 1989, and also Artistic Director of The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac). In 2011, he co-founded the Performing Arts Centre of Penang (penangpac) which operated until 2022. Joe is a graduate of NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) at the University of NSW, Sydney, Australia. Before he made the decision to come to Malaysia, he was one of the most sought after actors in Australia. Joe is a multi award winning film director, actor, writer and recording artist.
Joe was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), within the Australian Honours System “For Service to the performing arts through The Actors Studio (Malaysia) and The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre; and, as an actor, writer, producer and director”. Joe is currently the Adjunct Professor & Programme Artistic Director of TUTAS, Malaysia’s first performing arts conservatory degree programme by The Actors Studio and Taylor’s University.
Residents
Christopher Ling, Associate Artistic Director
Christopher Ling is Associate Artistic Director of The Actors Studio (Malaysia). His work as a director and production designer of plays, operas and musicals has been seen in Malaysia, Singapore and London, UK.
As co-founder and artistic director of theatrethreesixty, his theatre credits include: Angels in America, Every Brilliant Thing, Wangi Jadi Saksi, 24 Jam Dalam 37 Tahun. Musical credits include: The Edge, Lost/Found, Follow The Light. For Kuala Lumpur City Opera, credits include: L’Elisir D’Amore, Amahl and the Night Visitors, La Boheme, Hansel and Gretel, La Traviata.
He is a multiple BOH Cameronian Arts Award recipient for Best Direction in the Theatre category in 2023 as well as the Musical Theatre category in 2012. He also received the Anugerah Seni Negara (National Arts Awards) Young Talent Award for Theatre Directing in 2009.
Christopher trained in Drama and Theatre Arts at Middlesex University, UK and with the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain. To date, he has taught at ASWARA (National Arts Academy), UNIMAS Sarawak, Nilai University, Perdana University and Methodist College Kuala Lumpur.
Mark Beau de Silva, Senior Lecturer, Director and Writer
Mark’s first play Stories for Amah was directed in 2002 by Joe Hasham and garnered five Cameronian Arts Awards nominations including Best Original Script. Since then, Mark has written and directed many other plays namely 8 Ways to Lighten the Schoolbag, Oh My God, Bottom Top, Kaki Blue the Musical, Adam the Musical, and Big Head Potato Head which won 3 awards in the 2010 ADA Theatre Awards.
In 2009, Mark spent 3 months working with South Korean company Nottle Theatre on a devised piece, and staged his first play in Singapore; Mama’s Wedding with Action Theatre. In 2011, Mark won Best Director for the Short and Sweet Theatre Festival, and in 2013, the musical that he wrote Marrying Me won Audience Choice Award at the 2013 Cameronian Arts Awards. Mark won Best Director for the Short and Sweet Festival 2014 for Theatre Category and co-directed the musical Zak Zebra’s African Safari for children. In 2016 he co devised Still Taming with Ho Lee Ching, which toured Singapore and Russia.
Mark has been teaching in the performing arts since 2004. He was teaching in the performing arts programme in Sekolah Sri KDU until joining The Actors Studio Academy as facilitator and syllabus developer. Mark has conducted workshops for NGOs (drama therapy), teachers’ training institutions (drama as a tool for language learning), primary and secondary schools (private and public) and corporate training for various companies. His latest play Sisa Sisa received 7 nominations in the 2016 Cameronian Arts Awards. He recently completed his Masters in Performing Arts.
A Master’s of Performing Arts holder and recipient of The Edge Young Leaders Award 2019, Mark has almost two decades of experience teaching English and Drama. A Senior Lecturer of TUTAS Conservatory’s Bachelor of Performing Arts programme set up by Taylor’s University & The Actors Studio (Malaysia), Mark is currently a PhD candidate at UNIMAS.
Zhafir Muzani, Resident Choreographer & Actor
Mohd Zhafir Muzani bin Mohamad, who goes by the stage name of Zhafir Muzani, was born in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, and grew up in Lahad Datu, Sabah. He is now residing in Kuala Lumpur. Zhafir is an art activist who has always wanted to explore the world of acting and dance. He started off as a freelance dancer and made his debut as a TV actor in an educational sitcom ‘Oh My English!’ while pursuing his passion in dance.
He graduated with a Diploma in Film and Degree in Theatre from UiTM. He has joined many competitions such as SHORT+SWEET Dance at klpac under Khairul Azhar since 2013 and won ‘Best Male Dancer’ two years in a row (2016 & 2017). Besides that, he won the World Championship of Performing Arts (2011) in Los Angeles, USA, and also won in a few categories in dance and acting. Upon graduation, he has choreographed various dance works for UiTM events such as the opening for Malam Karyaone Awards (2017) and Dhendham Tresno Musical (2018). He loves Javanese and Balinese dance and has travelled to Jogjakarta, Indonesia, to learn both art forms. He tries to spread the beauty of Indonesian dance in Malaysia whenever he can. Now he serves as an in-house Resident Choreographer and Actor with The Actors Studio.
His theatre credits include Oedipus (2010), Muzikal Destini Anak Bangsa (2013), Kampung Kemenyan (2014), Rasuk (2015), Buy 1 Free 1 (2015), Nawaitu (2017), Men In Heels (2018), Bollywood Dreams (2021). He directed the plays Dang Sri (2015) and Mere Behen Ki Shaadi Musical (2016) and his recent dance production is pragina : EMOSI (2021).
Lee Kok Leong, Resident Conductor & Music Director, The klpac Orchestra
Kok Leong has over two decades of experience in the local orchestral scene as a violist, conductor and music educator.
As an in-demand violist, he has performed at the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s Inaugural Concert in 2007 as well as with the Friends of Strings Chamber, National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), Galaxy Chamber Orchestra, The klpac Orchestra, Penang Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), Kuala Lumpur City Hall Orchestra, RTM Orchestra as well as, more recently, with Malaysia’s first baroque music ensemble, Wicked Music People
In 2005, he debuted as a conductor with the Galaxy Orchestra and went on to become its Resident Conductor from 2007 to 2011. From 2010 onwards, he was mentored by the late Brian Tan, The klpac Orchestra’s Founder, and later received conducting masterclasses from renowned pianist and conductor Elaine Pao. In 2015, Kok Leong shouldered the responsibility to carry on the legacy and vision of his mentor and assumed the role of Resident Conductor & Music Director of The klpac Orchestra.
Outside of klpac, he also lends his conducting expertise and has participated as a conductor in the Klang Music Festival, the biannual Soundbridge Contemporary Music Festival as well as productions such as Euphrasia The Musical which toured to Ipoh and Kota Kinabalu after its KL premiere. He has also been conducting the Friends of Strings Chamber Ensemble since 2014.
A passionate music educator, Kok Leong founded Ottava Music in 2019. He has been leading the string ensembles at Chong Hwa Independent High School, Tsun Jin Independent High School and Pin Hwa Independent High School since 2021. Occasionally, he also adjudicates for music competitions such as the Pay Fong Middle School Western Instrument Competition (2023), He Yue International Arts Festival (2023), Red Sonate Fiesta International Arts Festival (2023) and MIA Young Musician Competition (2020).
In 2016, he was nominated for Best Music Direction / Conductor for “Symphonic Swing” at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards. In 2007, he was awarded the Best Music Participant (Male) – Level II at the Kursus Jurulatih Seni Budaya Negara Zon Selatan and the Runner-Up for the Chamber Classical Music category, Malaysia Young Talent Music Competition.
Cheryl Mah, Resident Conductor & Music Director, The klpac Symphonic Band
After graduating from the Elder Conservatorium of Music (Australia) with concurrent majors in Piano Performance and Music Education, Cheryl Mah completed a performance-based Master’s Degree in Conducting and Directorship from Salford University (England, UK) under the tutelage of Professor Dr. David King and the late Dr. Roy Newsome, specialising in Brass Band Conducting.
As an active music educator, Cheryl regularly conducts the UCSI University Orchestra (Malaysia). She has been the Resident Conductor and Music Director of the award-winning klpac Symphonic Band, which is part of The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), since 2011.
Apart from directing various ensembles, Cheryl actively advocates for music education. Four education and outreach initiatives she has led up-to-date were collaborative band programmes that involved young band musicians of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and culture, local band directors, local community bands and a university.
Cheryl co-founded the Kuala Lumpur-based Birdian Saxophone Quartet in 2000 for which she also plays the baritone saxophone. The quartet initiated the “Chamber Wind Project” in 2012 which features distinguished chamber wind ensembles from the region. It has presented six editions since then, receiving significant recognition for promoting the growth of wind chamber playing to a wider community.
Cheryl is currently a lecturer at the Institute of Music, UCSI University.
Andrea Sim, Resident Conductor & Music Director, The klpac String Orchestra
A well-rounded musician whose passion for music extends to its many disciplines, Andrea Sim has been the Music Director and Resident Conductor of The klpac String Orchestra since 2021 and was appointed conductor of the Bentley Music Academy Discovery Orchestra in 2024.
She has played as concertmaster for the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO), UCSI University Orchestra, and The klpac Orchestra, and performed as a violinist with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), Kamerata Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur City Opera Orchestra, Yin Qi Festival Orchestra, Selangor Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Young Artist Orchestra in Vienna. She has also been invited to perform as a violin soloist with The klpac Orchestra and MPYO.
Andrea believes that music should be shared and experienced by everyone – a belief that inspired the first String Orchestra Exchange Programme held in klpac in May 2023. Passionate about education, she has coached the National Symphony Orchestra’s (NSO) Genius Seni Muzik (GSM) violin section and the Galaxy Chamber Orchestra (GCO). Andrea has also been invited to give violin masterclasses for the GSM programme and the GCO, as well as orchestra masterclasses for the GCO. In May 2024, she was invited to adjudicate for the Perfect Tone Violin Competition in Medan, Indonesia. Andrea currently serves as an adjunct violin lecturer at UCSI University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Andrea studied violin performance in Vienna’s Prayner Konservatorium for two years with Anna Kandinskaya and Barbara Gorzynsky, and holds a Master of Music (Performance Studies) majoring in classical violin performance from UCSI University’s Institute of Music where she studied on a full scholarship. She graduated with first class honours also on a full scholarship from the same university with a Bachelor of Music (Hons) degree in classical violin performance under the tutelage of Ergys Koni. She is currently under the conducting mentorship of Lee Kok Leong.
An avid writer, Andrea has written articles for the Global Musicians League, and programme notes for recitals in Malaysia and abroad.
Keith Toh, MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Instructor
Toh Wei Keith is from Kuala Terengganu and is a graduate of TUTAS. He is currently employed by The Actors Studio.
He has produced, choreographed and directed an original mini Bangsawan play entitled, “Tales of a Leatherback and The Three Warriors” for “5,4,3,2,1” Production Practicum.
He made his acting debut as Earl the Elder, a supporting character in “The Prophet” (2021), directed by Daniel Hussin, Charity Yong and Kristy Chee. He was last seen performing as Oliver, the cool, calm but annoying hippy in “Time, What is it?” originally written by Lindsay Price, directed by Nandagopall in “Kaleidoscope” (2022).
He has a background in martial arts and holds a Junior Black Belt, World Taekwondo
Federation (WTF) (2nd Poom). He was trained under Taekwondo Master, Mr. Yang Kong Lee, 6th Dan black belt, Terengganu Taekwondo Association in Kuala Terengganu for 8 years.
Theatre Management
Ian Chow, Group General Manager
Ian is currently attached to The Actors Studio (Malaysia) and The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) as its Group General Manager. He is also the Company Director of the Young Choral Academy as well as Board Member of The Actors Studio Foundation.
Since his foray into the arts in 2002, he has been involved in more than 100 local productions in various management and creative roles. This includes sitting in the director’s chair of a multitude of music productions, his forte, some of which were nominated and have won various Malaysian BOH Cameronian Arts Awards since 2014.
He lectures at TUTAS’ Bachelor of Performing Arts programme, jointly established by Taylor’s University and The Actors Studio, in production, stage management and theatre management. He is currently the Co-Festival Director of the Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival (YSDAF), Malaysia’s largest free-for-all arts festival.
When time calls for it, Ian has and will continue to work with various government agencies to play a role as one of the voices for change in the country’s art policies and development.
Muhammad Hazim bin Mansur, Theatre Manager
Hazim is an Aston University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. He spent several years in the education industry as a therapist for individuals on the Autism spectrum, guiding them through their developmental journey. Hazim formed strong connections between his students, their families, and the people around them to ensure they have as fulfilling a life as possible. After this, he decided to pursue a career closer to his lifelong passion in the performing arts and joined klpac as a Front-of-House/Theatre Assistant Manager. Besides enjoying the arts as a fan, he also performs Improv Comedy in his spare time and is a gamer at heart.
Maintenance
Selwarajoo, Assistant Maintenance Manager
Selva graduated with a Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from FIT and joined the klpac family in 2011 as a Maintenance Officer. He has just been promoted to Maintenance Supervisor, overseeing the daily operations, upkeep and maintenance of the arts centre. His favourite saying? If you care for your machines then the machine will take care of you!
Technical
Mathanakumar Murthi, Assistant Technical Manager
Mohd Helmi Md Khairi, Senior Technician
Mohd Faridzuan Bin Abd Rahim @Wan, Senior Technician
Yogeshwaraan Shandre Sakran, Junior Technician
Production & Stage Management
Desmond Ngooi, Production Stage Manager
Desmond Ngooi’s journey in the performing arts began at a young age when he discovered his love for singing and music. He then joined the Penang Symphony Orchestra and Penang Jazz Society as the principal bassist/singer. Soon after, he realised his passion for the stage when he began working at the Penang Performing Arts Centre (penangpac). Despite not having a background in performing arts, he was determined to learn as much as he could in his time at penangpac from key industry performers and productions. Desmond’s dedication paid off when he landed his first role in a comedy production in 2020 called ‘Syiok Sendiri’ and since then has joined multiple productions such as ‘Twisted’ (2020), ‘Waiting for Godot’ (2022), ‘Vagina Monologues’ (2023), and ‘Malam Takdir’ by Sek Thim and Johan Othman in 2023. Desmond later joined the George Town Literary Festival as a Festival Coordinator/Project Executive and was further exposed to the intricacies of operating a festival. He continues to expand his knowledge and experience in the arts as part of klpac’s Production Team.
Jech Wong, Assistant Production Stage Manager
Jech graduated with a Bachelor of Performing Arts degree from Shu-Te University (Taiwan) in 2019. A passionate creator, he released a single on Spotify titled “Disappeared” in 2020. In 2023, he started working as a music producer, creating around 30 songs within eight months. Besides turning clients’ stories into songs, he also composed 3 commercial advertisement songs. Creating music brings him immense joy and a sense of accomplishment. Due to his background in performing arts in Taiwan, he decided to return to theatre in 2024 as a member of klpac’s Production Team to continue contributing to the arts.
Hafiza Husna, Assistant Production Stage Manager
Hafiza Husna graduated with a Bachelor of Drama from Universiti Malaya. She has been actively involved in numerous productions, taking on various roles during her studies. As an actress, she was nominated for Best Actress in the 2022 Public University Consumer Theater Competition for her role as Norinah in Seratus Langkah Kehadapan (2022). Her passion for production management has grown steadily since taking on the roles of Stage Manager and Assistant Production Manager towards the end of her studies and internship period. Currently, she is expanding her involvement in productions as an Assistant Production Stage Manager at klpac.
Chia Jing Sheng, Assistant Production Stage Manager
Jing Sheng graduated with a Diploma in Drama and Visuals from New Era University College. He is a stage manager and professional photographer with rich experience in stage, drama, short film, and event production. He also had the privilege of being involved in the creation of many works, including “Howdy My Friends Season 2”, “Reversi”, “Halfway”, “King Lear”, and “Youthful Recklessness”. His passion for work comes from capturing the beautiful moments in life and every meeting running-in cooperation, presenting them to the audience through the stage. He constantly pursues excellence and strive to improve his skills to ensure that every work can be carried out smoothly and reach the highest level. He is now joining klpac’s Production Team and hope to expand the field of stage of art and the skill of management.
Soo Choy Wah, Orchestra Manager
Soo graduated from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) with a Bachelor’s degree in Music. She had the opportunity to intern at klpac from July to August 2013 which ignited her interest towards performing arts management. She then joined klpac’s Production Team in November 2014 and stayed until December 2018 during which she handled many in-house and collaborative productions as well as assumed the role of orchestra manager. Since then, she has ventured into many different daytime jobs but this has never stopped her from continuing her role as the orchestra manager of The klpac Orchestra, The klpac String Orchestra and The klpac Symphonic Band due to her passion.
Marketing
Ang Yue May, General Manager – Marketing Communication
Yue May started her career in the IT industry doing marketing communications. Two years later, she decided she wanted something different. She chanced upon an opening for a publicist at klpac and made the jump from IT to the arts. That was back in 2005.
As klpac celebrates its anniversary each year, she is blessed to have the chance to continue to grow with the organisation and the team. Some of her fondest memories include kickstarting klpac’s very own Open Day and being on the organising committee of the Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2023.
Currently, she heads the Marketing and Communications department and continues to enjoy working behind-the-scenes to further Joe and Faridah’s vision to develop the arts in Malaysia.
Maggie Ong, Assistant General Manager – Publicity & Marketing
Maggie graduated with a Bachelor’s of Business (Accounting) degree from HELP University (Malaysia) in 2013. During her university years, she started volunteering for performing arts events and it was then that she discovered her passion for the performing arts. She then joined Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) in 2013 as a media and public relations officer. She has worked with DPAC extensively on all their major festivals and productions. Then, Maggie decided to broaden her horizon and stepped out as a project manager for Checkmate Creative from 2017 to 2018, to further explore the field of the performing arts. In 2019, she embarked on a new adventure and joined klpac and is now its Assistant General Manager – Publicity & Marketing.
Aside from her day job, she also works as a freelancer in production management. Past projects include Producer of Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival 2018 & 2023, Producer of Luna (SEA Premiere) by Bulareyaung Dance Company, Producer of Jingju Magic: Love & Bewilderment (Malaysian Premiere) by GuoGuang Opera Company and more.
Joel Wong, Senior Art Director
Handles all the design and layout of printed materials (posters, leaflets) and static images for shows and the venue. If it’s presented by klpac or The Actors Studio, most likely it’s by him.
Wong Karyee, Publicist
Karyee graduated with a Bachelor’s in Visual Communication Design from Kunshan University (Taiwan) and began her career in a BPO company as a customer relations specialist. Karyee has always had a strong passion for arts and music, which she seeks to share with the world, firmly believing in the universal appeal of art. With her passion for the arts deep in her heart, Karyee has now embarked on a new journey as klpac’s publicist.
Alice Myrna (Alice Tan), Project Executive / Front of House Supervisor
Alice graduated from TARUMT (Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology) in 2024 with a Bachelor’s in Media Studies. In 2020, Alice completed her Diploma internship at klpac by working from home, which left her with the regret of missing out on practical, hands-on experience. In 2021, Alice joined klpac as a part of Front of House freelancer. After experiencing numerous shows and performances, she has grown to enjoy the FOH role and she loves klpac’s aura. Moreover, Alice is an amateur dancer and she’s been passionate about Ballet and Zumba. Due to her passion for performances and photo shooting, she decided to pursue her dream workplace and join klpac as a Project Executive. Besides enjoying performances as an audience, she is also a horror film and cat lover at heart.
Jennifer Patsy, Assistant Box Office Supervisor
Vaideggy, Assistant Box Office Supervisor
Security
Balu, Security Manager
Mahen, Assistant Security Manager
Chandran, Senior Security Officer
Uncle Bala, Security Officer
Rajan, Security Officer
Parameshvaran Perumal, Security Officer
TAS Academy
Kimmy Kiew, Head of Academy
A theatre graduate from the Malaysian Institute of Arts, Kimmy has more than 20 years of experience in the arts having worked as a front-of-house supervisor, publicist, producer, educator, actor and director.
She was a Publicist and Associate Producer with Gardner & Wife Theatre Company before joining klpac as Director in-Residence from 2010 to 2012. She has participated in the ASEAN-Japan Exchange (2003) in Tokyo, CPI (2007) in Seoul and Tamsui Arts Carnival 2010 in Taiwan. Kimmy’s production of “The Bear” (2003) won Best Production at the 2nd ADA Awards and she was named Best Actress at the BMW Shorties Awards 2008.
A mother to a ten year old, she has shifted her focus to arts education in the past decade. She has been a speech and drama facilitator at The Actors Studio Academy @ klpac, Never-ending Story Education, Earth Tone Dance Academy and several other kindergartens. In 2018, Kimmy directed “Journey of a Baby Butterfly”, the very first baby theatre in Malaysia produced by Hong Jie Jie Workstation.
She is delighted to continue her passion as the Head of The Actors Studio Academy @ klpac.
Administration
Esther Kuan, Account Manager
Amanda Chan, Assistant Manager - Accounts and Admin & Personal Assistant to Executive Director & Group General Manager
Farah Abdullah, Personal Assistant to Artistic Director, Executive Director & Group General Manager
Xavier Chen, TUTAS Coordinator
