FOBISIA JUNIOR DRAMA FESTIVAL
Krystal Waltho Faculty Leader of the Arts British School Jakarta
From 6th March to 9th March, the British School Jakarta (BSJ) was abuzz with excitement and artistic fervour as it hosted the FOBISIA Junior Drama Festival. This year’s theme, "Storytelling: Cultural Memories through Physical Theatre," set the stage for an unforgettable celebration of creativity, passion, and cross-cultural exchange. A Tapestry of Talent and Tradition "The most amazing junior drama festival run by the Arts faculty at British School Jakarta. Wow! Outstanding!" Alex Hughes, a teacher at St. Andrew's International School Bangkok
"Thanks and congratulations to the BSJ Arts team for a superb festival." Holly Sullivan, FOBISIA Drama Chairwoman
"Thank you to all the staff for making this happen! It was a wonderful experience and went so well! Your hard work paid off!!! THANK YOU!!!" Zoe S, a BSJ student
The festival opened with a vibrant ceremony that showcased the rich cultural heritage of Indonesia. Audiences were enthralled by performances from Taiko Drummers Jakarta, Taman Mini Pendet and Papua dancers, and a comedic mime act by the renowned actor Septian Dwi Cahyo. The Saman dancers from Sekola Maleo added a mesmerising touch to the evening, setting a high bar for the events to follow. Workshops: Nurturing Young Talent Throughout the festival, students participated in a variety of dynamic workshops. KL Shakespeare Players look at the mechanics of the actors' bodies, Highly Sprung from the UK led sessions on physical theatre, while Paper Moon from Yogyakarta introduced students to the intricate art of puppetry. The Saman Dance workshop by Sekola Maleo and sessions on choral movement, speaking, and creativity with props led by BSJ’s own Y10 MYP Theatre and Y12 IB DP Theatre students provided a comprehensive learning experience. Performances: Stories That Resonate The performances were a testament to the young artists' talent and dedication. Paper Moon's "Scavenger" performance paid tribute to the unsung heroes of recycling, using simple yet powerful paper puppets and the bunraku puppetry style to create a deeply moving narrative. The KL Shakespeare Players returned with a captivating rendition of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," blending playful humour with modest props, puppetry, and physical comedy to delight the audience. 24