Moresby Arts Theatre (MAT)

Dedicated to empowering the youth of Port Moresby through artistic expression and personal growth, YAP 2023 promises to be a transformative experience like never before.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, MAT joins hands with the esteemed University of Goroka (I-JOG) for the seventh consecutive year, marking a remarkable milestone in the pursuit of artistic talent and community education. This dynamic partnership reinforces MAT's commitment to utilizing the arts as a powerful tool for education and awareness.

PNGCF Health Educator, Tracy Kabewa said unfortunately, PNG is currently leading globally with mouth cancer, which is closely attributed to the habit of betelnut chewing, with and without mustard and lime.

As part of my administrative roles, I am also the executive director of the Somare Research Institute, which is a new research institute set up to promote all research activities at the university. 

I returned from my doctorate studies from the Queensland University of Technology where I was sponsored by the Australian government for a PHD study. After my studies overseas, I felt the immediate need to give something back to the community.

His latest show will feature the conversation around the cost of funeral expenses and how families are affected. Here is a brief in the lead up to the show’s premier.

What is the cost of death for the living? Is it worth grieving for someone who caused you grief in life? When four siblings are burdened with the costs of a funeral, a hauskrai and the burial of their deceased father, they turn to their neglected half-brother who has the means to pay for it all.

Adriana Mulavo, a year nine student attending Kopkop College said dramatizing these sensitive topics gave her and her class the chance to talk about the issues that they see happening around them.

“These topics dramatized on stage (police brutality, suicide, gambling) needs to be talked about and really needs changing…Telling these stories, in a way helped us to express ourselves. Because most of the time we are not allowed to do that in an academic setting.”

Since 2016, the YAP has done well to educate the young in understanding social issues in the country through physical and oral storytelling, with hopes to inspire social confidence and self-awareness in this new generation.

This year, through this wonderful partnership, YAP has reached yet another level with teachers and former UOG-YAP participants teaching grade nine students in high schools in Port Moresby, bringing them to attend YAP at the Moresby Arts Theatre.

An opportunity will be given for art lovers to view a range of new works from across the nation, including Lae, Alotau, Madang and Goroka.

One of the oldest art institutions in PNG, the Moresby Arts Theatre, will host the 2021 Art Exhibition and Prize, displaying the best entries in a gallery setting and online, with a gala opening night to kick off the three-day event.

On July 17^th and 18^th, artists will deliver their paintings and sculptures to the gallery.

The story of the old king and his three daughters (the evil Goneril and Regan and the innocent Cordelia) is set next to that of a father (Gloucester) and his two sons (the evil Edmund and the set-upon Edgar).

The program has attracted more than 600 students from 13 schools in the National Capital District to learn about important social issues and how to make their communities aware of them.

This year’s theme is “Your Voice”.

It emphasised the importance of being able to discuss and debate issues, how to express opinions and communicate with others.

The plays that brought them here will be packed up and put away after the final show on June 11, 7.30pm.

So far, three productions of When the Buai Falls and Zombies Attack have delighted theatregoers with zany humour and good fun.

When the Buai Falls is set 1,000 years ago when the Holy Roman Empire has colonised the islands of Papua New Guinea. Little did these Roman legionnaires know they would have to deal with loopy sorcerers and hot blooded women.