Dramatic Arts and Music Troupe

(670) 723-7196
Email: yohan@bibibulak.org
www.bibibulak.org

Bibi = goat; Bulak = crazy

Bibi Bulak is East Timor’s premier theatre arts troupe, writing and producing plays, music, educational radio dramas, and short films on a variety of topics. BB is nationally renowned for its lively and engaging productions that make difficult issues accessible to mass audiences.

BB’s raison d’etre is to promote public education through the dramatic and media arts, a mission that is also realized through its stewardship of the drama department at the Arte Moris Free Art School in the capital city, Dili. Senior students are involved in all productions as well as assisting with teaching junior students. A truly Timorese group, all productions are in the national language, Tetum.

BB is in great demand: regularly organizing high-quality music and theater performances all over the country, performing to audiences that include everyone from babies to toothless old ladies who have walked barefoot for miles to catch the attraction of the year- a Bibi Bulak show!

HISTORY

Bibi Bulak started in August 2000 (and registered as a local NGO in November of 2000) as a diverse group of international artists who came voluntarily to perform around East Timor. After seeing the need for and love of theatrical performance in East Timor, founding member Yohan York decided to stay and concentrate on finding and developing local talent. From August of 2003 until the present, BB has been based on the top floor of the Arte Moris Free Arts School, where they run a lively dramatic arts and music program.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Highlights include
-ROZAS, BB’s first TV serial drama, was produced at the end of 2004. It’s an 8-part series funded by UNFPA (as were the tours and radio shows below) as a part of their anti domestic violence campaign.

- in September of 2004, BB put its tour bus on the ferry to Oecussi and performed three memorable shows there

-in August of 2004, BB did a two-week tour of the western districts. This was the first tour to include a full band, drawn partly from the well known Galaxy Band of Los Palos.

-a 16-part serial radio drama (against domestic violence) called Rua de Repolho; a short public service announcement film also about domestic violence;
-a play promoting breastfeeding, Susubeen Kinur, which the Bibi crew performed on stage with President Xanana Gusmao and his wife Kirsty Sword-Gusmao. TVTL and the Alola Foundation made a film version that starred several of the Bibi crew. This was a part of their national campaign to promote infant and maternal health.

- In November-December 2003, The Bibis toured the seven Eastern districts with a play about gender-based violence.

- In October 2003, Bibi Bulak finished work on an 8-part film series starring an adorable set of marionettes. This was in support of the UNDP’s public education campaign about the millennium development goals. The films were screened in all 64 sub-districts.

- the popular TV show Programa Bibi Bulak; which aired recurrently in 2001

- Community radio stations across the country are always eager for more CD’s of the dramas and songs created by Bibi Bulak.

FUTURE PLANS

Bibi Bulak will continue to be involved in free public performances of theatre and music as well as offering introductory and intermediate level theatre classes to the public free of charge.

Bibi Bulak wishes to continue to produce socially relevant theatre and music in all media in Timor-Leste, and improve upon past achievements through enhanced capacity and professional equipment. Sound, lighting, training, office infrastructure and transport are areas that need extra support. To facilitate this, Bibi Bulak will continue to search for funding from various sources to support ongoing expenses and salaries as well as to procure equipment. Another long-term goal is to find ways for the Bibi Bulak crew to travel, perform, and learn from artists overseas.

In 2005 BB is excited to host a variety of international trainers who’ve offered to come and see what they might contribute. Please email us at the address above to inquire about visiting or volunteering.