The Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre (JCPAC), which opened its doors in August, provides Malaysian artistes with world-class facilities and opportunities for international collaboration.
Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah said the centre, developed at Sunway Square at a cost of more than RM200mil, seeks to nurture artistic talent, support sustainable careers and strengthen the creative economy.
"Our investment in JCPAC reflects our belief that excellence in the performing arts deserves the same commitment, resources and opportunities that we devote to education and research.
"I firmly believe that Malaysian artistes deserve the opportunity to learn and develop their craft on the finest stages. With the right support, facilities and encouragement, there’s no limit to what they can achieve,” he said in his keynote address at JCPAC’s launch last night.
The launch featured Brand New Day: A Symphonic Broadway Celebration, with 22 singers, eight dancers and the 73-piece Tutan Festival Orchestra directed by Kevin Field.
"We have much to contribute to the global cultural landscape and our artistes deserve every opportunity to be seen, heard and appreciated beyond our shores,” said Cheah.
He added that JCPAC’s success will not be measured simply by the number of performances it hosts, but by the opportunities it creates for young people to discover their gifts, artistes to grow in their chosen path and communities to come together and enjoy the arts.
First mooted in 2018, JCPAC is part of the RM1.8bil Sunway Square development, conceived to enrich Sunway University’s educational experience and serve the wider Sunway City community.
"Technology may transform the way we live and work, but it can never replace the wisdom and human connection that the arts inspire. The arts and culture must remain at the heart of our educational ecosystem, which I believe no technology and AI can replace,” said Cheah.
He added JCPAC’s design draws inspiration from the tin-mining landscape on which Sunway City was built, with RM30mil invested in sound and acoustic technology.
The 1,200-seat Grand Theatre is the first in Malaysia to combine L-Acoustics L-ISA immersive sound and Ambiance active acoustics, allowing sound settings to be adapted for orchestral music, musical theatre and spoken drama without altering the architecture.
The centre also houses The Studio, which accommodates up to 150 people and has a portable stage and reconfigurable seating for smaller performances, experimental work and educational programmes.
Upcoming productions at JCPAC include Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical in late October, Dama Asia’s The Butterfly Lovers The Musical in November, and Charlie And The Chocolate Factory The Musical in December. - Bernama
