Experience the arts at KLPac's all-ages 17th birthday month celebrations

The Actors Studio Academy at KLPac will be having free trial classes on May 14 and 15 for young theatre stars (three to 18) as part of KLPac's birthday month celebrations. Photo: KLPac

Birthdays are special, no matter how they have been delayed or "postponed" during the pandemic.

KLPac missed out on its sweet 16 birthday last year due to the various lockdowns. It will be making up for it with a month-long celebration this May.

The arts venue at Sentul Park turned 17 on May 9, but the party is still going on with the #comehome campaign, featuring a bumper list of fun things - open day events and discounted shows - to do this month.

"Let’s face it, after the past two years, everyone needs a good laugh or escape," outlines a KLPac statement.

On stage, theatregoers can look forward to Theatresauce’s Don’t Like It Here? Then Leave show (May 19-22) and KLPac's hit sketch comedy series indicinelive! 7 (May 25-29). Not to forget Young KL Singers’ mysterious Dark Light choral production (May 13-15).

Shows aside, KLPac is flinging its doors open with its all-access, guided tour "Backstage Bites" sponsored by Yayasan Sime Darby on May 14 featuring a surprise performance as well as a joget workshop by Zhafir Muzani.

KLPac's general manager Ian Chow will be leading the Backstage Bites' tour at the arts venue on May 14, while you can join the open call at his unplugged rock concert 'Rewind' on May 21. Photo: Derrickrecords

There will also be limited spots to three open rehearsals – KLPac general manager Ian Chow’s unplugged rock concert Rewind on May 21, Reminiscing with the KLPac String Orchestra on May 29 as well as Joe Hasham's adaptation of Philadelphia, Here I Come! (date to be announced).

With Short+Sweet Malaysia back this year, KLPac will be running workshops every weekend through May free for the public including "Directing For Theatre with Christopher Ling" (May 14), "Writing with Mark Beau de Silva" (May 15), "Dance with Zhafir Muzani" (May 21), "Directing for Musical with Christopher Ling" (May 22) and "Composing with Fuad Alhabshi" (May 28).

The Actors Studio Academy @ KLPac will also be offering free trial classes on May 14 and 15 with different slots for different age groups between three and 18. These trial classes are a teaser to the arts centre's popular "Speech and Drama" programme that runs throughout the year. It is a chance to meet its faculty as well as Academy team.

Theatresauce sold out its 'Coyotes' show last month at KLPac, so don't miss its new production 'Don’t Like It Here? Then Leave' show on May 19-22. Photo: Handout

If you have always wanted a chance to showcase your talent on stage, there’s no better time to go for it. Registrations for Short+Sweet Malaysia happening in October are open until June 1 for Film, Stand-Up Comedy & Song, Musical, Dance and Theatre categories.

The Malaysian Jazz Piano Festival is also calling for entries for both its Malaysian Jazz Talent Competition (ending May 30) as well as 1st Malaysian Junior Jazz Piano Competition for pianists aged 5 to 17 (ending May 25). There will be auditions by the KLPac Symphonic Band on May 14 as well as upcoming Mandarin play The Guilty via video submission by May 16.

Event organisers and producers can also take advantage of KLPac's 17% discount for venue bookings for the remainder of 2022. Audiences can get 17% off indicinelive! 7 and KonTra: Bianglala (June 16–19) with the #comehome17 promo code.

If you have a bit of extra time or cash and would like to help the arts recover, sign up as a volunteer at KLPac or help out with the "Keep KLPac Cool" campaign which aims to round up 170 donors to chip in RM100 for the maintenance of the venue's individual fan-coil air-conditioning units.

Tickets for KLPac shows can be purchased here. Pre-registration for all other events be it tours, open rehearsals, trial classes or auditions are required as spaces are limited due to SOPs.