Comm Acting : What the Books Don't Tell You.

Comm Acting: What the books don’t tell you.


In conjunction with CommFest 2011, we are proud to bring you Malaysia’s award winning actors and actresses for a pre-event talk entitled Comm-Acting : What the Books Don’t Tell you.


Three very interesting and very vital topics related to the differences between theatre and the big screen will be covered at the talk. If you have questioned the realness behind an actor’s screams, tears, happiness and other emotions then you would find this topic really interesting because it is about how real emotions are while acting.


A lot of us may think that acting is easy and that is all about just playing a role or pulling off a character. But little do we know that it can actually be really challenging and difficult for an actor to play a role. To be able to play a role and deliver an outstanding performance, an actor will first have to get into character for a role. So how does an actor get into character for a role you ask? Get all the information you need from the speakers present!


Being in theatre does not necessary mean being on stage. If you are camera shy but would love to be a part of theatre then the last topic that will be discussed at the talk would be the perfect platform for you to understand theatre better as it will cover the difference between directing for theatre, musical and film at the talk.


So keep your calendars free on:

Date: 13th October 2011

Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm

Venue: Event Hall 2, Library

Brief description of speakers:

Ida Nerina, a household name in the Malaysian film industry who has appeared in a number of acclaimed Malay films such as Sepet and Susuk. Despite her increasingly hectic schedule, she is actively involved in the Malaysian Film Industry and she makes it a point to be involved with a theater piece at least once a year. 

Dato’ Zahim Albakri, an award-winning actor and theatre director is also the artistic director/executive producer of Dramalab and a founding member of Instant Café Theatre. Dato’ Zahim Albakri received the Best Director award at Boh Cameronian Arts Awards 2002 and 2005, and in 2006 and 2007 together with co-director Adlin Aman Ramlle for “Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical” and “P.Ramlee The Musical” respectively. National Arts Awards for Theatre Directing is also one of the awards he received in 2006 and he since then has directed CUCI Musical Parts 1,2 and soon-to-be 3.

Gavin Yap is an actor, writer and director has been actively involved in the Malaysian entertainment scene. His debut performance in the adaption of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Ernest” gained him a nomination for best Actor and Best Newcomer in the same year. He then served as Director-In-Residence at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre from 2006 to 2008, during which in time he directed numerous production. Gavin was awarded with the National Arts Award for directing in year 2007.

Susan Lankester, the founder, director and producer at Catwoman Productions has been in the media industry for almost 50 years now. Considered by many as one of the best actresses in her time, her passion for this industry runs deeper than acting. Behind the scenes, she has written scripts for several theater and film. Audiences will experience and understand Susan’s pride in home-grown works; from write, to crew, to the multi-talented and award winning cast in her showcase of two fresh scripts for 2011.