November 2024 - KLPAC Behind the Scenes Tour
BACKSTAGE BITES
On November 13th, the MCG Events Committee organized a trip to the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center (KLPAC) with 15 participants in attendance. The tour was led by Ian, who provided a detailed overview of KLPAC’s history and operations.
The group discovered that the KLPAC building has a rich past, originally serving as a woodcraft workshop in the 1880s and a sawmill before becoming a railway depot in 1906. In 1940, it was bombed during WWII, necessitating a rebuild. By the early 1990s, it had been a temporary golf clubhouse but was ultimately abandoned.
The KLPAC as we know it today was born from a challenge faced by The Actor’s Studio, originally based in Merdeka Square, which lost its venue in a severe flood in June 2003. In partnership with YTL Corporation and Yayasan Budi Penyayang, The Actor’s Studio helped establish KLPAC in 2005, Malaysia’s first fully integrated, non-profit arts center. The initiative was spearheaded by Joe Hasham and Fariah Merican, who remain actively involved in the center’s operations to this day.
During the tour, the MCG group explored behind the scenes at KLPAC and visited two theaters: the smaller, experimental “Pentas 2” with seating for up to 210, and the larger “Pentas 1,” which can hold 540 people. The colourful seats in Pentas 1 are designed to reflect Malaysia’s cultural diversity. Participants also had the chance to ascend 10 meters above Pentas 1 to experience the catwalk, where technicians manage stage lighting—a feature that left many in awe.
The group learned about KLPAC’s funding model, which relies on revenue from approximately 70 to 80 annual performances, along with classes and corporate rentals. Additionally, the “Save Your Seat” fundraising initiative allows supporters to sponsor a theater seat, with a personalized plaque displayed in the lobby. Operating costs exceed 2 million Ringgit annually, covering essentials like lighting, air conditioning, and plumbing.
To conclude the tour, participants enjoyed a “Backstage Bites” snack box filled with traditional Malaysian treats, both savory and sweet.
Review thanks to Joni Kerr
