PETALING JAYA: The Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) at Damansara Empire, Damasara Perdana here is showcasing d’Next Artist (dNA) Project, to help emerging artistes gain more exposure in the performing arts. The centre will be showcasing artistes in four short productions via the dNA Project Season One namely Seringgit, Sarimah Murder Story, Memori - The Story of Andhika Pramuthya and The Loss of Tradition on Sept 26, 27, and 28.
“Twenty groups were auditioned for d’Next Artist Project but only eight made it,” said DPAC marketing officer Maggie Ong. Four of them will be featured this month and the rest are scheduled for season two, next month.
Ong said DPAC would feature more emerging artistes in future dNA projects to encourage aspiring talents to find their footing in the industry.
Nik Nabil, an Indie singer and songwriter, who is directing The Story of Andhika Pramuthya, said he decided to take on the dNA project because the centre is very supportive of new artists.
“The Story of Andhika Pramuthya blends the cultural elements of the Angkor-Champa-Pattani-Kelantanese in its dance. Its highlight will be the dance of the Apsara with 25 dancers, clad in custom-made attire. Shadow puppetry is also employed while masks are heavily used throughout the dance,” said Nik.
Zhafir Muzani, 22, a Universiti Teknologi Mara second-year performing arts student, plays the protagonist in The Story of Andhika Pramuthya while 30 dancers from Anak Seni Asia, an award-winning group, would enthrall the audience with their dance numbers and costumes.
Zhafir is known for his role as Mazli in the hit Astro television series, Oh My English.
The ticket for The Story of Andhika Pramuthya is priced at RM23 for DPAC card holders and RM28 for non-members. By John Tiong