The Concept of NEO Theater Performances: Appreciation for Acting

Abstract

This research investigates NEO Theatre (NT) by using historical approach. It has several significances; i.e. firstly, NT is one of modern theater groups that influences modern theater development in Bandung; secondly, though it is still relatively new, the creativity of NT cannot be separated from the history of Fathul A. Husein’s creativity development as its director. By applying method of history through several stages from heuristics, critics, interpretation, to historiography; NT’s creativity pattern can be constructed; it is in accordance with the aim of this research, to achieve the historical illustration of NT’s creativity pattern in realizing the prototype of theater performance entitled Tritik Segaris Putih. Fathul A. Husein, as the NT leader, was one of the founders of theater Actors Unlimited (AUL) established in mid 1990s. Having it ended, Fathul A. Husein, who acted more as a director, founded NT on 18 April 2012. Based on the works Fathul directed since his time in AUL, the creative process of NT shows similar creativity with the Studiklub Theater Bandung (STB). An important fact to support this statement is that as a modern theater observer and critic, Fathul had ever joined in some productions of STB during the time of Suyatna Anirun (RIP) before he decided to join in the founding of AUL. Thus, it can be said that the model of STB theater creativity pattern is also reflected on the creativity pattern of NT in each of its theater production. Keywords: theater history; theater production; NEO Theater