Review: Pranalika Makes Their Soulful Debut with Footlights and Friendships

A newcomer has arrived to the Jakarta performing arts scene. Founded by artist Kezia Haniel and bearing the name of Pranalika – meaning system or connection in Sanskrit – they offer a consulting and production service for all things performing arts. And, appropriately enough for an artistic enterprise, Pranalika took their first step into the spotlight through a show: Footlights and Friendships.

Footlights and Friendships took place on January 31, 2025 at Gripa Studio, Jakarta. It’s a show consisting of various segments – singing, dancing, monologues, and scenes – dissecting the many challenges faced by performing artists. It is an invitation-only event, attended by industry associates, media, and friends.

In bringing the show to life, Kezia collaborated with her friends and fellow Jakarta-based artists Clarissa Theophilia, Darren Radyan, Kita Pritasari. The four of them not only crafted the story based on their own experiences, but performed in the show itself. Furthermore, they held producerial and directorial roles –  Kezia as producer, Kita as director, Clarissa as vocal director, and both Kezia and Darren as choreographers. The show’s music is led by Hazim Suhadi as music director who also served as one of the accompanists alongside the show’s sound engineer Parama Maharddhika. Mumu Harmoun also contributed additional choreography and performed as a guest star.

To create an immersive and intimate experience, the team chose a small black box studio at Gripa Studios. The “stage” area is in the center of the studio, surrounded on four sides by seating areas that are on the same level as the performers. This confined arrangement puts the performers right in the middle of the audience, close enough to touch, close enough to see the most minute expression; it imbues the show with a sense of heightened vulnerability from the beginning.

Footlights and Friendships opens with multiple voice recordings questioning, doubting, belittling the cast’s choice to be artists. It is the main theme of the show: finding the strength to keep on pursuing a life of artistry, especially in Indonesia.

Throughout the show, we’re introduced to each cast member and their specific, personal journey as an artist, and the deep grief and unbridled joy they found along the way.

Clarissa Theophilia’s segments focus on the family, on how her father kept comparing her to her successful brother, which led to a heartbreaking rendition of Superboy and Invisible Girl. She endeavors to connect with her family and seek their approval, or at the very least understanding, for the life that she chooses.

Meanwhile, Darren Radyan’s story starts from the literal moment of his birth, as his parents talk about their hopes and expectations for their newborn son. He grows up and finds his calling in the performing arts, entering a fun romantic fling along the way. In the show, this liaison serves as a  nice change of pace.

The biggest obstacles in Kita Pritasari’s journey come in two forms: the crushing weight of expectations and the inability to fit in. It is a nefarious combination, as she tries to both meet the standards set for her – both by herself and others – and find a place where she can feel she belongs. In a stand out and heartful moment, she sings while accompanying herself on the piano.

Kezia’s first scene opens with her dancing. She confesses that dancing is the one thing constant in her life. She dances when she’s happy. She dances when she’s sad. It was simple when she was little, but with adulthood comes doubt; she begins to question her purpose in life. Yet as she pushes forward, she is faced with a great loss: her father’s passing. In a raw display of emotion, love, and grief, Kezia monologues about how she used to look for strength in her father, and how his passing made her feel lost. I found it the most affecting part of the evening.

Fortunately, she is not alone. Previously, we see their paths crossing, at auditions or classes. Their friendship blooms as they share their woes navigating the turbulent performing arts scene (which are often met with knowing laughter from the audience). And thus, during Kezia’s lowest moment, her friends come to her. They sing the uplifting You’ll Be in My Heart, raising Kezia’s spirit as she realizes that can now rely on her friends for strength and support.

As Pranalika’s debut work, Footlights and Friendships is a fascinating choice that leaves a distinct impression. It declares that Pranalika is a venture that’s built by an artist – an artist who’s been through a period of soul searching of her own before arriving at her current artistry and conviction.

On the technical side, it’s a solid display of the team’s finesse. Being in a space that’s been stripped bare makes every element more pronounced. The few set pieces – including a set of portable stairs, a door frame, and boxes – are utilized creatively, rearranged to create different formations to facilitate different settings and moods. And for certain segments, the direction goes bold with dramatic blocking to highlight the emotional intensity – such as leaving only one person standing alone, perfectly framed by the door frame, the spotlight illuminating her expression among the dark wash of blue light. These moments are striking both visually and dramatically, showcasing the strong directorial vision at hand.

The usage of different art forms in the show is another way for Pranalika to put their berth of expertise on display. From thoughtful monologues to crowd pleasing crowd numbers, they use these various approaches to deliver the story and it always feels appropriate for the segment.

It’s also interesting to see how these segments highlight the cast’s talents. Although everyone does all of the singing, acting, and dancing – the triple threat package– it is quite apparent that some of them more so specialize in one field. Although the show overall had satisfactory performances, and always emotionally sincere, there were moments when the singing was relatively weaker.

By choosing Footlights and Friendships – a show that puts the artist front and center, with few embellishments  – Pranalika shows that they understand the tremendous courage and dedication that go into choosing to be a performing artist. It is always exciting to witness the first steps of a new art group, especially when it’s through a personal, lovingly crafted show. We look forward to their future works.

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