Bridging Art and Advocacy: "I Am Still Here" Showcases Refugee Realities on the Global Stage

Taylor’s University, in collaboration with Tenaganita Malaysia, proudly presented their Migrant Learning Exchange (MLE) project at the Asian Youth Theatre Festival Open Stage. The performance, I Am Still Here, was showcased to an international audience, including delegates from Thailand, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. Developed in July 2023 by students from the Bachelor of Performing Arts and Bachelor of Social Science programmes, the project highlights the transformative power of theatre as a tool for advocacy.

Tenaganita is a Malaysian human rights organisation committed to assisting, building, advocating for, and protecting migrants, refugees, women, and children from exploitation, abuse, discrimination, slavery, and human trafficking. The organisation champions the rights of marginalised and vulnerable communities, who often remain voiceless in an increasingly globalised world.

Based on research conducted in partnership with Tenaganita, the play explores the challenges faced by refugees in Malaysia. Students translated critical findings into a compelling artistic performance, underscoring the role of theatre in driving social change. During the event, Tenaganita Programme Officer Gayatri Kandiah shared valuable insights on working with vulnerable populations, addressing misconceptions about migration. She highlighted that women now comprise half of the migrant workforce in Asia, with many employed in domestic work, as well as the entertainment, service, and manufacturing industries.

Following her presentation, Taylor’s alumna Agatha Yuwanda and Senior Lecturer Mark Beau de Silva discussed the creative process behind the 30-minute performance. Drawing on Viola Spolin’s Viewpoints Theory, Peter Brook’s Empty Space, and Victor Turner’s Theory of Liminality, they incorporated structured improvisation, minimalist staging, and explorations of social transition to bring the research to life on stage.

The play, collaboratively developed by Performing Arts and Social Science students, combined research findings, interviews, and the Hermeneutic Circle method, while rigorously maintaining survivors’ anonymity throughout the performance and post-show discussions. Premiering to the public on July 13, 2023, I Am Still Here received resounding feedback, with audiences praising its powerful transformation of raw data into emotional, thought-provoking narratives. The success of the project stands as a testament to theatre’s ability to amplify marginalised voices and inspire meaningful social change.