Trained in acting at Goldsmiths’ College, University of London during his M.A. degree in ‘Performance Studies’ in 1994-1995 and completed his Ph.D in 2004 at School of The Arts, Universiti Sains Malaysia. His academic publication was published by Routledge in 2017 titled “Makyung Titis Sakti: Reflections on Malay Traditional Performance, Culture and the Malay Worldview through an Adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “Makyung: Perspectives on Malaysia’s Traditional Theatre” by the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 2015 and his latest publication is titled ‘Local Knowledge Through the Integration of Design and Perspectives of Visual and Performing Arts’ in 2021 by Penerbit USM. His current research is on makyung performance in southern Thailand and Riau, Indonesia titled “Locating Identity in Makyung: Interrogating Hybridity in the Performance of Makyung in South-East Asian Region” (Research University Grant, 2018-2020) and “Spiritual Jihad and Intervention Through Drama by Shakespeare or Other Playwrights: A Case Study Investigating the Effectiveness of Drama Performance in Preventing Essentialist Tendencies”. Research University Grant (R.U.), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 1.12.2019-30.11.2022). As a theatre director, he has ventured into different types of theatre genres ranging from absurd (‘It is Not A Suicide’ in Vietnam, 2013), tragedy (‘Hamlet’, 2014 at Penangpac), traditional theatre (‘Boria Jawi Peranakan’, 2014), experimental to a devised play at UNESCO-APB (Asia-Pacific Bond) Theatre School Directors’ Conference & Festival titled ‘Reflections On anOTHER’ performed in Shanghai (Shanghai Theatre Academy), China (2014), ‘ The Sound of Silence’ (La Salle College of the Arts) in Singapore (2015), ‘Kiri Kanan’ (Left Right) in National School of Drama, New Delhi, India (2016), ‘Bayang’ at Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI), Yogyakarta (September 2018) and ‘Amok’ in collaboration with Victoria College of the Arts (VCA), Melbourne University, performed in Hanoi, Vietnam in September 2019. He was appointed as a research fellow at University of Minnesota, USA in 2018, Dean of School of the Arts, USM (2017-2018), Director of Dewan Budaya USM (2017-2019), Chairman Secretariat of Local Knowledge USM and currently he is lecturing at School of the Arts, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
Education
Areas of Expertise
Traditional Theatre, Acting & Directing, Theatre Management
SPORTLIGHTS
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PUBLICATIONS
Local Knowledge Through the Integration of Design Perspectives of Visual and Performing Arts”. 2023. Ahmad Zuhairi Abdul Majid and A.S. Hardy Shafii (Editors). Pulau Pinang: Penerbit USM.
“Ethnic minorities in borneo: The Kimaragang People” in Jurnal Gendang Alam, Vol. 11, 2021. ISSN 2180-1738 by Victor Pangayan and A.S. Hardy Shafii.
“A Tribute to the Remaining Makyong Performers of Yala,South Thailand” by Tan Sooi Beng and A.S. Hardy Shafii. SPAFA Journal, Vol.5, Feb. 17 2021. ISSN 2586-8721.
“Sistem Bi’nattang Etnik Kimaragang di Sabah: Satu Tinjauan Susun Lapis Sosial Di Zaman Silam”. (2020). by Victor Pangayan, A.S. Hardy Shafii in Gendang Alam: Journal of Arts, Vol.10. 2020, page 50-61. ISSN 2180-1738. Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Sabah Malaysia.
Locating The Soul of Healing Performance in Malaysia. A.S. Hardy Shafii, Nurul Farhana Low, Mumtaz Begum. (Editors). Pulau Pinang: Penerbit USM, 2017.
“Malaysian Traditional Healing Performance Practices: A Brief Overview” by Nurul Farhana Low, A.S. Hardy Shafii, Mumtaz Begum in Locating The Soul of Healing Performance in Malaysia. A.S. Hardy Shafii (Eds). Pulau Pinang: Penerbit USM, 2017.
“The Mind, Body, Spirits and Soul in Traditional Healing: A Perspective of Bageh” by Mumtaz Begum, Pravina Manoharan, A.S. Hardy Shafii in Locating The Soul of Healing Performance in Malaysia. A.S. Hardy Shafii, Nurul Farhana Low, Mumtaz Begum. (Editors). Pulau Pinang: Penerbit USM, 2017.
“The Mystical Gathering Between the Supernatural, Physical and the Nether World of Main Teri among the Malay Community” by A.S. Hardy Shafii, Solehah Ishak, Nurul Farhana Low in Locating The Soul of Healing Performance in Malaysia. A.S. Hardy Shafii, Nurul Farhana Low, Mumtaz Begum. (Editors). Pulau Pinang: Penerbit USM, 2017.
“Thaipusam: A Journey in Spiritual Healing” by Pravina Manoharan, Mumtaz Begum, A.S. Hardy Shafii in Locating The Soul of Healing Performance in Malaysia. A.S. Hardy Shafii, Nurul Farhana Low, Mumtaz Begum. (Editors). Pulau Pinang: Penerbit USM, 2017.
“The Structure of Healing Ritual: The Bebayuh’s Diagnostic Art and the Seladai Dance” in Locating The Soul of Healing Performance in Malaysia. A.S. Hardy Shafii, Nurul Farhana Low, Mumtaz Begum. (Editors). Pulau Pinang: Penerbit USM, 2017.
“Shamanistic Intermediaries in the Performance Healing Rituals of Main Teri, Sewang and Bobohizan” by Mohamed Ghouse Nasuruddin, A.S. Hardy Shafii, Solehah Ishak, Mumtaz Begum in Locating The Soul of Healing Performance in Malaysia. A.S. Hardy Shafii, Nurul Farhana Low, Mumtaz Begum. (Editors). Pulau Pinang: Penerbit USM, 2017.
Masyarakat Nusantara dalam Budaya, Warisan dan Sejarah. Nazarudin Zainun, A.S. Hardy Shafii (Editors). Pulau Pinang: Penerbit USM, 2017.
“Pencahayaan dalam Reka Bentuk Pementasan Wayang Kulit Melayu Kelantan” in Masyarakat Nusantara dalam Budaya, Warisan dan Sejarah. Nazarudin Zainun, A.S. Hardy Shafii (Editors). Pulau Pinang: Penerbit USM, 2017.
Nusantara daripada Pelbagai Perspektif Kearifan Tempatan. Nazarudin Zainun, A.S. Hardy Shafii. (Editors). Pulau Pinang: Penerbit USM, 2017.
“Sejarah Pedalangan Wayang Melayu” by Che Mat Jusoh, A.S. Hardy Shafii in Nusantara daripada Pelbagai Perspektif Kearifan Tempatan. Nazarudin Zainun, A.S. Hardy Shafii. (Editors). Pulau Pinang: Penerbit USM, 2017.
Akal Budi Melayu dalam Bahasa dan Sastera Moden. Rahimah A. Hamid, A.S. Hardy Shafii (Editors). Pulau Pinang: Penerbit USM, 2017.
“Patung-Patung: Kearifan Tempatan dalam Menterjemah Dilema Melayu Melalui Pementasan Drama Eksperimental Malaysia Dekad 1970-an” by A.S. Hardy Shafii in Akal Budi Melayu dalam Bahasa dan Sastera Moden. Rahimah A. Hamid, A.S. Hardy Shafii (Editors). Pulau Pinang: Penerbit USM, 2017.
“Management Style of Kelantan Mak Yong” by A.S. Hardy Shafii in Mak Yong Malaysian Legacy World Heritage. Edited by Mohamed Ghouse Nasurudin. Kuala Lumpur: Department of National Heritage, Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, 2017.
“Makyung Titis Sakti: Reflections on Malay Traditional Performance, Culture and the Malay Worldview through an Adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Nurul Farhana Low and A.S. Hardy Shafii in Shakespeare’s Asian Journeys: Critical Encounters, Cultural Geographies, and the Politics of Travel. Edited by Bi-qi Beatrice Lei, Judy Celine Ick, and Poonam Trivedi.. New York: Routledge, 2017.
Makyung: Perspectives On Malaysia’s Traditional Theatre. A.S. Hardy Shafii, Jason-Tye, and Shanti Balraj (Editors). Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 2015.
“The Historical Journey of Makyung”” in Makyung: Perspectives On Malaysia’s Traditional Theatre. A.S. Hardy Shafii, Jason-Tye, and Shanti Balraj (Editors). Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 2015.
“Management of Makyung: Adapting To Changing Times & Practices” in Mak Yong: Perspectives On Malaysia’s Traditional Theatre. A.S. Hardy Shafii, Jason-Tye, and Shanti Balraj (Editors). Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 2015.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream Dissected Through Philosophy, Geographical Information System Mapping of Dance and Choreography: An Experimental Process”. Mumtaz Begum, Tarmiji Masron, A.S. Hardy Shafii, Muhizam Mustafa, Nurul Farhana Low. Penang: Penerbit USM, 2014.
“Looking Back To The Past: Revival of Traditional Food Packaging”. Muhizam Mustafa, A.S. Hardy Shafii, Sumetha Nagalingam, Jason Tye-Kong Chiang, Jasni Dolah. Penang: Penerbit USM, 2014.
The Convergence of the Performing and the Creative Arts: Reimagining Methodologies and Traditions. Tan Sooi Beng, A.S. Hardy Shafii, Izmer Ahmad and Muhizam Mustafa (Editors). Penang: Penerbit USM, 2013.
“The Integration of Performance and Creative Arts in the Development of Multi-Disciplinary Problem-Based Scenario (My-PBS)”. Mona Masood, A.S. Hardy Shafii, Hairul Nizam Ismail in The Convergence of the Performing and Creative Arts: Reimagining Methodologies and Traditions. Tan Sooi Beng, A.S. Hardy Shafii, Izmer Ahmad and Muhizam Mustafa (Editors). Penang: Penerbit USM, 2013.
“Dancing with the Gods: Dance in 8.8” by Mumtaz Begum, A S Hardy Shafii, Kipli Abdul Rahman, Johan Othman in The Convergence of the Performing and Creative Arts: Reimagining Methodologies and Traditions. Tan Sooi Beng, A.S. Hardy Shafii, Izmer Ahmad and Muhizam Mustafa (Editors). Penang: Penerbit USM, 2013.
“Transdisciplinarity As Research”: Selection of Papers from the 1st School of the Arts Research Colloquium by Sarena Abdullah, Aris Ahmad and A.S. Hardy Shafii. Penang: School of the Arts, USM, 2012.
“Research Proposal Writing” by A.S. Hardy Shafii and Muhizam Mustafa in “Transdisciplinarity As Research”: Selection of Papers from the 1st School of the Arts Research Colloquium. Penang: School of the Arts, USM, 2012.
“Sustainability of Boria in Penang” in The Multicultural Performing Arts, Crafts, Festivals and Food of Penang. Tan Sooi Beng (Ed.) Pulau Pinang: School of the Arts, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2011.
Makyung: Stage Management” in “Makyung: The Mystical Heritage of Malaysia”. Institut Terjemahan Negara, Malaysia. 2011.
“Typology of Malaysia’s Public Art in Post-Colonial Settings” by Muhizam Mustafa and A.S. Hardy Shafii, The International Journal of the Arts in Society, 2011.
“Yesterday: Now Showing” The Leader, December 2008 Vol.3 No. 4, page 63-65.
“The Management of Mak Yong Commercial Theatre In Kelantan, Malaysia”, published in Wacana Seni, Journal of Arts Discourse. Pulau Pinang: Penerbit USM Vol. 3, 2004, page 31-60. -
NEWSPAPER
“Structural Dialectics of Makyung in Yala”, News Straits Times, Heritage Sunday Vibes, page 23, 19th of July 2020.
“Primadona Ceriakan Makyung Semakin Menghilang”, Berita Harian, page 11, 2 Julai 2020 -
COLLABORATION
1. Unesco Asia-Pacific Bond (APB) Theatre Directors Create your
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1. Gold (Best Creative Performance) 1993; Silver (ITEX) International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition, 2013, Bronze (International Choral Singing Competition in Pattaya, Thailand 2012.
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MASTER/PHD PROJECT SUPERVISED
Completed
1. Ph.D Victor B. Pangayan “Tarian Pinakang Etnik Kimaragang di Sabah: Analisis dan Makna Persembahan. (Main Supervisor). Viva completed on 3 August 2022.
2. Ph.D Indrayuda Bin Muhammad Yusuf(P-SED0002/07 R) “ Peran dan Fungsi Pemuka Adat dan Institusi Pendidikan Dalam Perkembangan Seni Tari Minangkabau ” (Main Supervisor). Graduated in 2012
3. Ph.D Darmawati Bt. Marah Intan (P-SED0003/07R),“Falsafah dan Makna Persembahan Luambek Dalam Alek Nagari Di Pariaman Minangkabau Sumatera Barat” (Luambek Performance in Alek Nagari in Western Sumatera, Indonesia, Pariaman Minangkabau : Meaning & Philosophy ) (Main Supervisor) Graduated in April 2015
4. Ph.D Yusnizar Heniwaty (P-SED0003/10(R)) “Tari saman di masyarakat Aceh: Kajian perubahan dan keberlanjutan” (Main Supervisor). Graduated in 2017.
5. Ph.D Ruth Hertami Dyah Nugraha Ningsih (P-SED0004/10(R) Tortor: Kajian Terhadap Nilai dan Norma Dalam Struktur Sosial Masyarakat Batak Simalungun” (Co-Supervisor) Graduated in 2017.
6. Ph.D Boon Jong Fook (IPS09/SEN/017) “Nang Talung: Survival Di Era Globalisasi” (Main Supervisor) Graduated in 2017.
7. M.A. Arifni Netrirosa (P-SEM0008/06 (R)“Kompleksitas Persembahan Kesenian Randai Dalam Kehidupan Sosial Masyarakat Minangkabau Di Sumatera Barat” (Main Supervisor). Graduated on 21 July 2010.
8. M.A. Yoe Anto Ginting (P-SEM008/05R) “Analisis Tekstual Persembahan Gundala-Gundala Sebagai Sebuah Drama Tari Topeng Masyarakat Karo di Medan” (Main Supervisor) Completed Viva 26 May 2011.
9. M.A. Muhamad Fazli Taib (P-SEM0005/08(R) “ Self Enhancement of High School Students Through Creative Movement Education” (Main Supervisor). Completed on 7 October 2010.
10. M.A. Ismaliza Ishak (IPS10/SEN/001H) “Pengaruh Minang Dalam Drama Pilihan Wisran Hadi” . (Co-Supervisor)
11. M.A. Wilson@Mohd. Shahril Bin Akla (S-SEM0013/14(R) Satu Kajian Berdasarkan Peranan Tarian Kreasi Baru Di Dalam Penciptaan dan Persembahan” (Co-Supervisor). Completed in 2019
On-Going Ph.D & M.A.
1. Ph.D Ma Qina (P-SED0018/21 (R). A Study on Development and Innovation of Drama in Education in Mainland China
2. Ph.D Huang Yu (P-SED0025/20 (R). Research on the Visual Art Design in the Cultural Communication Between China and ASEAN (Co-Supervisor)
3. Ph.D Chen Xianxian (P-SED0028/20 (R).A New Era of Film Stardom in Greater China and Holly wood: Aesthetic and Economic Connections Across Film Stardoms.
4. Ph.D Widia Nur Utami Bustaman. (P-SED0007/17). “The Development of Urban Modesty Fashion in Bandung, Indonesia”. (Main Supervisor)
5. Ph.D Victor B. Pangayan (P-SED00015/16(R) Tarian Tradisional Etnik Kimaragang di Sabah: Satu Analisis Etnokoreologi
6. Ph.D Adi Danendro (P-SED0020/20 (R). Formulasi Pengubahan Seni Pertunjukan Tradisional Wayang Wong Menjadi Seni Sekuen Pada Wayang Komik Wayang Purwa Indonesia: Analisa Terhadap Komik Wayang Karya Teguh Santosa. (Co-Supervisor)
7. M.A. Zhao Yaomiao (P-SEM0004/21 (R). The Important Role of Dance in Drama Dance. (Co-Supervisor)
