Murasaki Haru is a theatre director, visual-audio artist, and artistic director of Howls Theatre Co. An alumnus from the Diploma in Performing Arts programme, he is a theatre all-rounder, having entered the scene as a stage manager before venturing into multiple areas such as acting and lighting design. He is also occasionally found teaching drama to kids and stage directing to young adults. 

When he first enrolled in the Diploma in Performing Arts programme, Haru had a very different idea of what his future career would look like. “I thought I would major in film, but I left the program with a newfound appreciation for theatre,” he muses. Haru expresses gratitude to senior lecturer and programme leader Kelvin Wong, whose guidance and mentorship brought him to discover his passion for stage-managing while acquiring a diverse set of skills that proved indispensable in his work. Kelvin also provided him the opportunity to stage-manage “Contractions” by Mike Bartlett, a production organised by Kelvin’s theatre collective, Theatresauce. “Although I was initially unsure about taking on such a responsibility, I am now convinced that my career path would have been markedly different if I had turned down the opportunity,” Haru reflects. 

Haru marks his student life as a time of personal growth. The two and a half years on campus grounded him as an individual where he gained greater awareness of his identity. The programme’s emphasis on creativity, communication, and critical thinking helped him develop a collaborative and inclusive perspective, which eventually formed the core values of his theatre collective, Howls Theatre Co. “The collective I head is always eager to collaborate with others within and outside of the theatre community,” Haru explains, aiming to offer a contrast to the competitive and exclusionary mindset he observed within some theatre circles. “Transparency is also a core value of ours, and we strive to create an open and welcoming environment for all who wish to participate.”

Haru believes his period of artistic growth began after graduating from the Diploma in Performing Arts programme in 2018, as he entered the theatre industry. According to him, working in the Malaysian theatre industry can be harsh and exhausting, but immensely fulfilling as well. He is challenged to constantly be self-driven to seek new opportunities and advance his career. However, he is thankful for the practical experience gained in his diploma days which granted him the skills he needed prior to entering the job market. The professional standard play-staging modules and career management curriculum equipped him to navigate aspects such as fair project compensation, establishing and maintaining a theatre company, and developing a polished and concise theatre resume. 

After a brief year abroad pursuing his BA (Hons) Theatre & Drama at the University of South Wales, Cardiff, Haru returned to his home ground to continue honing his craft through various directing, acting, and stage-managing endeavours. Despite the challenge of facing burn-out in the self-driven nature of the industry, he continues to press forward with new projects. He remains in touch with fellow Diploma in Performing Arts alumni, bringing forth collaborations such as “Dreams We Tell Ourselves” coming to the stage in April 2023. He is also working on a new piece, “Kakurega”, slated to be staged in July 2023.