Dato' Dr. Faridah Merican is a highly accomplished and influential figure in the Malaysian theatre industry. Often referred to as the First Lady of Malaysian Theatre, Faridah has made significant contributions to the development and growth of theatre in Malaysia. With a career spanning over several decades, Faridah's early acting credits include iconic plays such as 'Lela Mayang', 'Tok Perak', 'Uda dan Dara', and 'Alang Rentak Seribu'.
Chief among Faridah's achievements is co-founding The Actors Studio in 1989 alongside her husband, Joe Hasham OAM. This renowned theatre company has played a crucial role in promoting and nurturing local talents, as well as fostering the growth of the Malaysian theatre scene. Despite the many challenges along the way including the devastating flood that destroyed The Actors Studio complex in 2003, Faridah's determination and passion have never wavered.
Aside from her impressive acting career, Faridah has also been involved in various other fields. In the early 1960s, Faridah joined Radio and TV Malaysia, where she honed her skills in broadcasting. During the same period, she also played a pivotal role in the formative years of the Malaysian Advertising industry, serving on the board of Ogilvy & Mather for several years.
Faridah's many accolades and honorifics include the Ahli Mangku Negara in 1973, the Darjah Johan Negeri in 2001, the Johan Setia Mahkota in 2004 and the BOH Cameronian Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2011, she co-founded the Performing Arts Centre of Penang (penangpac) which operated until 2022.
In 2018, Faridah was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in the Arts by Taylor's University. She is currently the Adjunct Professor & Programme Development Director of TUTAS, Malaysia's first performing arts conservatory degree programme by The Actors Studio and Taylor's University.
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