RED: Koreografi Kehidupan Mak Nyah RED: Choreography of the Life of Mak Nyah

Abstract

RED is a work that focuses on the life experiences of a Mak Nyah. This study does not represent the Mak Nyah community as a whole but rather focuses on the lived experiences of a selected Mak Nyah dancer. The life of this Mak Nyah provides insights into gender politics, particularly the challenges and obstacles faced by Mak Nyah individuals. Mak Nyah is a term used in Malaysia to refer to the transgender/transsexual community within the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) community. The Mak Nyah dancer is focused here and actively performs in nightclubs. This study employs the concept of ambivalence to illustrate the uncertainty in her life and her identity. Data is drawn from ethnographic research, serving as primary elements and concepts for the creation (choreography) of the contemporary work. The work is divided into four acts that explore various issues faced by Mak Nyah in society, generated through the oral history of the life and experiences of a real Mak Nyah.