As Ria prepares for a presentation about her time in residence in Korea, I will write a bit about her: Ria is an unusual for a theatre maker here and also as a woman in the arts: Firstly, she is very interested in community involvement in arts projects; making work with communities and sharing skills and opportunities. This is contrary to what is the norm – where art is made by artists and shown to the rest. Artists make work with other artists but not with “non-artists”. Ria encourages practice in kampungs and villages and is an avid networker - facilitating good people working with good people.
Secondly, Ria is the director of the theatre company. Much like the broader culture the theatre making tradition has belonged to men. The Javanese dance I have been learning (oh yes! With great inability I must add, much to the disdain of my gracious Bu Tia who is the Javanese dance equivalent to the most senior teacher at the Royal Ballet!) , these dances are all choreographed by men, men have traditionally written the dramas and been the sutradara – the director. Amongst this is Ria – assertive, curious and imaginative has directed Papermoon puppets over three years. She works with her husband Iwan who is the creative engineer on projects and has gathered a team of puppeteers, management and supporters around her. What a women!
Prof Hatley has an article on Women in theatre in Indonesia: http://intersections.anu.edu.au/issue16/hatley.html
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