Training on Contemporary Drama Scriptwriting and Performance Based on Local Potential for New Members of the Massenrempulu Arts Community

Abstract

Dramatic performance serves as a strategic medium for reflecting identity and preserving local wisdom in the digital era. However, transforming traditional narratives into contemporary dramaturgical structures faces complex challenges, particularly for non-arts student communities. The diverse academic backgrounds of the new members in this community present a unique obstacle, as none of them possess a formal education in the arts. Despite the presence of various divisions such as theater, dance, music, visual arts/design, film, and literature as outlets for expression, theater is the only division capable of integrating all these disciplines into a single unified performance. This community service activity aims to enhance the capacity of new members of the Massenrempulu Art Community in creating and staging contemporary drama through intensive training. The program was conducted using a participatory-educational approach, encompassing literary writing workshops and the creative process of performance arts. Evaluation through pre-tests and post-tests showed an increase in the participants' average score from 57.4 to 85.6. Beyond cognitive and technical improvements, the activity successfully encouraged participants to produce literary works in the form of drama scripts and collaborative performance projects. These results demonstrate that the training not only improved literary and performance competencies but also strengthened the culture of art appreciation and collaborative work among the youth, while effectively preserving the local wisd om of Massenrempulu folklore through artistic creation.