Learning the ropes... Working Underground!

Working underground at Plaza Putra was fun. The 'makan' stalls, the restaurant, the cineplex, Dama House, the shoe shop, the men's tailor shop, the souvenir shop, tourist centre and The Actors Studio attracted a unique blend of people there. All walks of life wandering around - theatre personalities, lawyers, people working in the nearby buildings, people within the complex, Bangladesh workers, the kaki-lepaks, tourist from Malaysia and also from all over the world, not to mention the whole lot of people who come when there are events at Dataran Merdeka - all congregating at the underground complex.

Meeting parents of the children who come for classes. Managed to foster great relationship with some. It was a cozy environment. Some are still in touch which is really great.

Meeting Malaysian celebrities who come to the academy to teach or rehearse. Normally I'd say a quick hello and stay away for I didn't know what to expect. (A lot of them turned out to be beautiful human beings - as I got to know them later.)

Meeting the Kelab Shashin Fotografi members on Tuesdays when they come for their meetings. Saying hello and slowly venturing to know more about the club and its members. You'd be amazed with the photographs that these people take. Being our friends for so long - they have taken so many wonderful shots of the theatre performances held at The Actors Studio. Those interested in theatre photography and are committed should join this group.

The Gamelan club members who come to teach our students on Saturdays. Hearing the melodious sounds wafting in that space was heavenly.

We used to rent the space as a rehearsal space as well and I remember the time Hardesh and his 'gang' used the space and were singing such great songs (home-made!). I felt fortunate to be in the middle of all the creative and talented people.

Some classes that we not held at Plaza Putra were The Young KL Singers and our Musical Theatre programme for children. They were at The Actors Studio @ BSC. So it meant me going over there to do my 'chettiar' job (collection of fees) and sometimes recruit young people to assist me.

One of the best features of being in Plaza Putra was it housed The Actors Studio Bookshoppe. The best carrot cake and brownie at an affordable price. The hot coffee, the warm tuna sandwich and loads of books. A collection of great reference books gave the place a wonderful charm. The host of people who had worked there - the personalities each very unique. The host of cockroachs that had made that place their home.

I became a part of all these - the theatre, the black-box, the academy, the bookshoppe - The Actors Studio. One minute you are needed here and another minute you are needed there. You are at one place yet you are exposed to so many great things in different ways. This was the beginning of my involvement in the arts...