Feature: TOGETHER AS ONE: ASEAN-USA SHOWCASE CONCERT by YES Academy ASEAN in Luwes Theatre, Jakarta Institute Of Arts, Aug.12

YES Academy ASEAN 2016 will held their showcase performance on Teater Luwes, Jakarta Art Institute, in 12 August.

According to their website, The Youth Excellence on Stage (YES) Academy ASEAN is one of the program by American Voices, a non-profit organization based in United States, that has been conducting cross-cultural engagement with audiences in over 140 nations worldwide since 1993. Founded with a focus on the recently independent nations of Central and Eastern Europe, American Voices has expanded its mission towards supporting youth everywhere in nations emerging from conflict or isolation.

This is a tuition-free program sponsored by the participating U.S Embassies across ASEAN, along with American Voices and local universities. For selected YES Academy ASEAN participants, full scholarship will be given (including housing, meals and travel) as well as non-full scholarship for those whose countries where the U.S. Embassy is either not participating in the program or only a limited number of scholarships are available (travel, meals and housing for small amount of USD).

The program will be performance-driven: according to the course selected ranged from Broadway Musical Theater, Hip Hop Lyricism, Performance and Music Production, Hip Hop/Break Dance to the newest addition Singer/Songwriters: The Craft and the Business Cultural Entrepreneur Leadership Development, they will spend most of the time preparing songs, choreographies and acted scenes from a wide selection of classic and contemporary musicals. The full 12 days program will run from 8am to 6pm daily, including the final gala concerts and ASEAN Cabaret performances.

Participants lived in ASEAN (doesn't matter your Origin and/or Citizenship) from age 18 to 24 will be chosen for the program based on their talent, motivation and potential. Students younger than 18 and over 24 may be accepted on case basis.

According to Michael Lay, Indonesia delegation alum. from YES Academy ASEAN 2015 in Bangkok, also a Board Member of Jakarta Performing Arts Community (JPAC), the knowledge given by the faculty of YES Academy ASEAN is now really helps him in directing, collaborating, sharing ideas, and also acting. Lay is one of the alum. that actually active on Jakarta's Broadway musical theatre scene, alongside with 7 other members from Indonesia in this year's YES Academy ASEAN.

Lay also played in Jakarta Players' Beggar Belief, Twelve Angry Men, and JPAC's Children of Eden, Godspell, Seussical, Joseph and directing Broadway ke Java in 2014 and 2016. As a YES Academy ASEAN participant, he also had chance to write his own proposal and budget for their Cultural Entrepreneurship program.

All scholarship information will be up around November (the camp will start around Summer next year), in their website. For more information on YES Academy ASEAN program, you can also go to their Facebook page. Other YES Academy programs also take place annually in the Middle East (Lebanon, Iraq, and Sudan).

Photo Credit: YES Academy ASEAN