Lab Teater Ciputat (LTC) has formulated a platform called Lab Indonesiana: Dapur LTC, drawing from the practical theater experiences of LTC artists over the past two decades. The term "Dapur" (kitchen) is understood as a place for storing food ingredients and cooking activities. The kitchen is crucial in determining the health of those consuming the meals prepared by the chef. It reflects how well the food needs of a family are met and managed hygienically and beneficiallyfor their survival. Similarly, in the process of creating performing arts, the practitioners prepare materials well in advance before they are processed and ready to be presented to the public.
This platform is stimulated by the Directorate of Cultural Talent and Institution Development (PTLK), Directorate General of Culture, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) to serve as a method and gateway for developing Indonesian theater talents. The PTLK Directorate aims to ensure that upstream arts development and nurturing programs are conducive and progressive.
The program is packaged in a spirit of partnership with communities and professional artists for the long term under the National Talent Management (MTN) program. Presidential Decree Number 21 of 2021 mandates the National Talent Management Task Force (MTN) and outlines the MTN Grand Design, focusing on three talent fields, one of which is Arts and Culture. The selection of this field aligns with the mandate of Law Number 5 of 2017 on the Advancement of Culture. Performing Arts and Theater are one of the five cultural arts fields aimed at creating outstanding, accomplished, and impactful talents both nationally and internationally. Therefore, the Directorate of Cultural Talent and Institution Development (PTLK) of the Directorate General of Culture, Kemendikbudristek, collaborates with Lab Teater Ciputat (LTC) to carry out this mandate and spirit in identifying potential theater arts talents through the "Lab Indonesiana: Dapur LTC" program.
Lab Indonesiana: Dapur LTC is a theater training program, a workshop for creative work, presentation of works, international collaborations, and a cross-art forum to promote the growth and development of the capacity of the young generation of Indonesian theater. This platform is initiated to be part of the capacity enhancement process and the expansion of theater practitioner networks amidst the rapid changes and developments of the times. It accompanies the creation of works by selected participants; starting from production planning, work mentoring, and connecting them with various art stakeholders in the presentation of works linked with the network of Indonesian performing arts producers.
Lab Indonesiana: Dapur LTC aims to build synergy among artists and various professionals. It facilitates dialogues and discussions among practitioners to generate new perspectives and experiments in art creation. This exchange of ideas and experiences plays a role in enhancing innovation and creativity in creating performing arts that are relevant to contemporary needs. The trajectory of activities in Lab Indonesiana: Dapur LTC includes the training "Becoming a Participatory Actor", Un-loading classes, Retrospective classes, and Create Collaboration classes. This is followed by presentations of participants' works from each class in a Mini Festival format titled "Buka Dapur" (Open the Kitchen). The festival is attended by artists, curators, practitioners, academics, producers, and festival organizers from both domestic and international contexts. The outputs and targets for 2024 will be developed into international collaboration projects and the participation of Lab Indonesiana: Dapur LTC participants in various national and international art forums and festivals in 2025-2026.
