Speaking Through Theater
Through theater, Lena Simanjuntak-Mertes empowers the women victims of violence in Biak, Papua, and gives them their confidence back. This activity will be adopted by a Biak churchs empowerment and trauma healing program.
June 6, 2012
It was afternoon at the Salihara Theater in South Jakarta. Nineteen women sat in a circle, rehearsing. "Remember your positions. Concentrate, said Lena Simanjuntak-Mertes, 55, the director of Suara Angganetha (Angganethas Voice), a play performed by Teater Orchide Papua, on May 11 and12.
After going through this scene several times, Lena allowed the Biak theater troupe members to stand up. They had to perform again that night. "It is exhausting, bu
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