Jakarta’s cultural communities know that the very essence of art is community: it can only thrive on human connection and inter-activity. It can also bridge divides and unite differences. And in a world where rapidly evolving technologies are in fact isolating us further from each other, we must find ways to connect and engage in the real world.
Those searching to express themselves freely, and do so with like-minded individuals, will find that Jakarta has a great selection of artistic and cultural communities. From stand up comedians racking up their routines to poets practicing their prose, or even the amateur thespian looking for an audience, Jakarta has it all!
Jakarta Art House
If art indeed thrives in the margins—where the excluded find their power in pain—then the Jakarta Art House (JAH) stands as proof to that truth. More than just a place to learn everything there is to know about art and production, it is also a sanctuary for those who might feel out of place in society.
JAH’s story begins in 2019, with four people bound by a shared love of the performing arts Elhaq Latief, the visionary behind JAH, is a seasoned actor who started his journey in musical theatre in 2016 and has since graced the prestigious West End in London. Alongside him are the Co-Founders: Fadli Hafizan, as Executive Producer with experience dating back to 2014; Aldy Inzaghi, as Director who has been active in musical theatre since 2018; and Lisa Reideka, as Choreographer specialising in traditional dance.
At JAH, the mission is simple: to offer a platform for creativity and inclusivity. Its members span generations, from bright-eyed teens to seasoned performers in their 40s, all united by their passion for the performing arts.
The productions at JAH are diverse and range from musicals to dance performances, tackling themes both universal and intimate. The organisation’s debut show, Kintsugi, explored abusive relationships through the lens of ballet—a bold choice that set the tone for what was to come.
JAH has risen with remarkable speed. Highlights include the 2023 staging of Mamma Mia! at Taman Ismail Marzuki, where three sold-out shows left audiences singing along and critics taking note. The success of Mamma Mia! not only cemented JAH’s reputation but also opened doors to new collaborations and opportunities.
Original works like Alunan Hati—featuring the timeless music of Indonesian icon Chrisye—further showcase JAH’s ability to blend nostalgia with innovation. Meanwhile, collaborations with the Indonesian Dance Company on The Jungle Book and the recent Catch Me If You Can: The Musical have broadened its scope and delighted audiences with their creativity.
JAH’s commitment extends beyond the stage. With over 225 members, including performers, production staff, and volunteers, the organisation thrives on fostering growth and collaboration. Aspiring talents can audition through open casting calls that include online submissions, offline try-outs, and call-backs—a process designed to ensure accessibility for participants beyond Jakarta.
And it’s not just performers who are welcome. JAH offers volunteer roles in sponsorship, marketing, and production management, ensuring opportunities for those who prefer working behind the scenes. Starting in 2025, the organisation will launch an internship programme to mentor participants in both the artistic and technical aspects of theatre production. In May, there will be 14 re-run shows of Mamma Mia! ready to grace more stages.
IG: @jktarthouse
Batavia Jokers
The Batavia Jokers is a comedy community that bridges linguistic and cultural gaps with the ease of seasoned performers. Officially established on 1 April 2022—an ironically fitting April Fools’ Day— this community has since grown into a thriving hub for comedians and comedy enthusiasts alike. Batavia Jokers was never meant to become a full-fledged community, yet, two years later, it stands as Jakarta’s premier English-language comedy collective.
“It all started at Ketawa Komedi Club,” recalls Ben Dhanio, one of the founding members. Alongside Sukraj Putra, Harry Hartanto, Bayu Ramadhan, and a few others, Ben helped shape what began as a casual gathering into a professional platform. What sets the Batavia Jokers apart is their inclusivity. Whether you’re an aspiring comedian, a nervous first-timer looking to conquer stage fright, or simply someone in need of a good laugh, this community welcomes you with open arms. “We’ve grown to 80 comedians, with a core team of 12 managing everything from social media to event logistics,” Ben shares.
For the brave souls daring to take the stage, the process is straightforward. “Just turn up at an open mic session, do a five-minute set, and have a chat with us afterwards,” says Ben. This low-pressure introduction is followed by mentoring opportunities, where seasoned comedians offer guidance on crafting jokes, mastering timing, and landing punchlines with precision.
“Comedy is more than just being funny—it’s a craft,” Ben emphasises. But the lessons don’t stop at technical skills; they are also profoundly therapeutic. “Many of our members find that comedy helps with mental health. It’s a way to channel emotions and turn hardships into something beautiful.” Indeed, humour has long been a coping mechanism for those who’ve faced adversity. “The first minute on stage is terrifying, but after that, it’s liberating,” he adds.
As English proficiency among Indonesia’s younger generation grows, the potential for English-language comedy to go mainstream seems within reach. “Malaysia has a thriving comedy scene with Uncle Roger and Ronny Chieng, and their population is a fraction of ours,” Ben observes. “We hope to see Jakarta’s scene flourish in the same way.”
IG: @bataviajokers
Jakarta Poetry Slam
In a city that is filled with endless traffic hums and horns, one might think Jakarta may well be a hard place for poets to find a sanctuary. Yet, there is a rising community determined to draw forth the hidden poets of Jakarta and give them a stage to dazzle and delight: The Jakarta Poetry Slam.
This gathering of poetic minds owes its existence to a trio of spirited founders: Lizzie Chan, a screenwriter; Ayu Meutia, a seasoned copywriter; and Antonia Timmerman, a technology and climate journalist. United by their love for verse, they forged this haven for Jakarta’s poets, especially for those whose words have often been confined to the margins of notebooks.
Jakarta Poetry Slam officially launched in January 2024, but its roots go back much further. Inspired by the Australian Poetry Slam they experienced at the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival a decade ago, the trio dreamed of bringing slam poetry to Jakarta. “We realised poetry isn’t just for writers. It can be for everyone who wants to express themselves,” says Lizzie. And so, Jakarta Poetry Slam opened its doors to scribblers, performers, and anyone in between, bridging the often-overlooked gap between the quiet act of writing and the bold spectacle of performance.
Their monthly writing soirées are the heart of the club’s activities. These gatherings cater to poets of all stripes, from the wide-eyed beginner clutching their first draft to the seasoned wordsmith searching for a fresh perspective. The workshops are designed to help members pour their feelings onto the page, and each facilitated by one of the founders.
Ayu’s sessions lean towards pop poetry—accessible, warm, and deceptively simple. Antonia brings a journalist’s precision, coaxing clarity and depth from her participants. Lizzie, naturally, takes to the performance angle, urging her poets to step into the spotlight with confidence. “We never facilitate a workshop together,” Lizzie explains. “It’s better for participants to experience the full spectrum of styles, and perhaps avoid the inevitable clash of our artistic temperaments.”
Workshops typically include writing prompts, discussions, and feedback sessions. The process is as cathartic as it is educational, with participants encouraged to explore their emotions and translate them into powerful poetry. “We’ve found that people are often more honest with strangers than with those they know. It creates a peculiar kind of intimacy—a room full of strangers, confessing truths they’d never share at the dinner table.” says Lizzie.
After honing their craft, members are encouraged to participate in open mics across the city, such as Pavilion Puisi and Puisi Gembira. The club’s annual poetry slam at the end of the year is the grand culmination, where writers step into the spotlight to perform their pieces.
It is a universally acknowledged (and frequently lamented) fact that writing is mostly a solitary endeavour, so the club provides a platform for writers to connect, share, and find their tribe. The club dreams of expanding beyond Jakarta, bringing slam poetry to different cities and connecting talented writers across Indonesia. “We hope to introduce slam poetry to more people—not just for the craft but for the public speaking and critical thinking skills it develops,” Lizzie explains.
Jakarta Improv Club
If Jakarta Poetry Slam is the introspective elder sibling with a penchant for brooding over words, the Jakarta Improv Club is its lively younger counterpart—a child of chaos and spontaneity. Founded in September 2024, this vibrant community dives headfirst into the exhilarating world of improvisation. It is loud, fast-paced, and, above all, exhilarating.
The Jakarta Improv Club didn’t appear out of thin air; it was the next logical step for the ingenious minds behind Jakarta Poetry Slam “As writers, we realised how crucial improv skills are,” says Lizzie Chan, “People know how to improvise, but they’re not familiar with how to consistently regulate that muscle power, learning to harness and control that instinct takes practice.”
Herein lies the club’s purpose: to take the raw, untamed energy of improvisation and shape it into a tool for creativity, storytelling, and, quite often, hilarity. While Jakarta Poetry Slam has a more introspective vibe, the Improv Club is all about energy and action. It attracts a different demographic—primarily men, compared to the poetry club’s predominantly female membership.
“Improv is organised chaos,” Lizzie notes. “Everyone talks on top of each other, testing out dialogues, physicality, and tone. It takes a lot of energy.” The club thrives so well on chaos that sometimes it makes one question whether the participants are performing or simply having the time of their lives. Each gathering begins with a 45-minute warm-up, an energetic routine designed to shake off the day’s stiffness—mental and physical. From there, participants dive into the thick of it, tackling prompts and scenarios that require quick thinking and even quicker wit.
Once the laughter subsides (eventually), the group analyses the performance. Why did that particular line work so well? How could that reaction have been stronger? The aim, Lizzie explains, is to ask sharper questions to uncover richer responses. “It’s not just about being funny,” she adds. “It’s about being truthful to the character and understanding our instinctive reactions.”
While it may appear to be a riotous free-for-all, the Jakarta Improv Club is much more than a platform for giggles and gags. Beneath the surface lies a serious endeavour to build confidence, hone public speaking skills and sharpen critical thinking. For writers, it’s an exercise in character development and dialogue—a playground to test ideas before they meet the printed page.
