Orang Orang Drum Theatre

Founded in 2013 by Boyz Chew and Zyee Leow, Orang Orang Drum Theatre (OODT) takes its core philosophy from the Chinese character 众 (community/crowd), to bring performing arts closer to the public. With their works navigating the intersections of music, dance, and physical theatre, the troupe has performed on major international stages including the 2024 Hong Kong Drum Festival “One Beat, One World”; 2023 Malaysia’s Rainforest World Music Festival; 2022 German Jazz Festival (MOERS); 2020Australia WOMADelaide; 2019 Budapest Sziget Festival; the Venice Open Stage theatre festival; and the Danse en Ville Festival across Belgium and Germany, alongside various folk and dance festivals across France, Hungary, and Serbia. Locally, OODT remains deeply rooted in grassroots communities, actively sharing performing arts across Malaysia in places such as Kuala Sepetang in Perak, Kampung Bahru Rawang, Sarawak Cultural Village, schools and community groups, and the “Ximply Arts Fest” in Alor Setar, Kedah.

OODT has garnered 16 nominations at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, taking home numerousprestigious honors: Best Music and Sound Design, Best Group Performance (2015) for Hidup Ini Senget; Best Group Performance – Instrumental, Best Musical Direction, Best Production Values, Best Music &Sound Design (2020) for LaguKu 2.0; Best Original Composition (2023) for Jue2 Shi1 The Hidden Tune; BestMusic and Sound Design, Best Choreography, Best Multimedia Design, and Best Costume Design for KakaLaLa (2026).

In recent years, the troupe has continuously explored the connection between drumming and daily life. They have adopted a lifestyle that bridges the urban and the orchard—establishing an artistic base close to nature—where they continue to create new works within this fresh environment.