Young actors perform Songs of Silence at Indonesia's first deaf musical

Something special happened at a theatre in Jakarta, Indonesia. A group of deaf performers put on a musical show called "Songs of Silence." Instead of singing out loud, they used sign language and facial expressions to tell their story. To help the audience understand, they showed the words and lyrics on screens around the stage. Music played in the background while the performers danced under colourful lights. 

The show was about students at a school for kids with disabilities. Two directors, Hasna and Helga, created this musical to help people understand deaf culture better and to encourage more people to learn sign language. This was the first time in Indonesia that a musical was performed mainly by deaf artists. 

The crew

"My hope is, going forward, inclusivity can be strengthened, that between deaf and hearing people, hearing is not superior - we're equal," Mufidah, who is deaf, said through Indonesian sign language, according to Reuters.

Involving more than 60 deaf actors and crew, aged 16 to 40, the musical took three months to prepare. It is inspired by Deaf West Theatre in the United States, Helga said. 

In Indonesia, schools often teach deaf students in a way that focuses on speaking and reading lips, rather than using sign language. This musical shows how this affects students.

Many deaf students are told to learn how to speak and read lips, but some deaf people say this isn't the best way. They feel left out and uncomfortable when they're forced to communicate this way. They believe sign language feels more natural and comfortable for them.

Some people think that if deaf students learn to speak and read lips, they'll fit in better with people who can hear. But others argue that using sign language is better because it lets deaf people express themselves in a way that feels right to them, while still being able to connect with others. 

Use of sign language  

For deaf actor Hanna Aretha Oktavia, the musical was her introduction to sign language and the wider deaf community.  

"Throughout dialogue rehearsals, we had to use as much expressions as possible and to follow the storyline," Hanna said.  

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"What's interesting is in rehearsals we have to feel the tempo and vibrations and match them with the choreography. I think that's the most intriguing part because I love to dance." 

"And we paid close attention to the beats with the help of hearing aids. We use big speakers to help guide us," she said.