Curriculum Vitae, 2000 is a performance that examines the socio-political transition from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, focusing on the escalation of social unrest in East Java, particularly in Madurese communities across Banyuwangi, Jember, Situbondo, Bondowoso, Probolinggo, Lumajang, Pasuruan, and Madura Island.
This unrest was fueled by a widely circulated “fiction” of symbolic terror known as the “ninja,” a socio-horror figure linked to the killings of dukun santet (sorcerers) and, over time, religious leaders such as kiai. This fiction not only spread fear but also shaped a psycho-social landscape built on rumor.
Those born in the 1990s and earlier lived through this period, while all of the performers of Curriculum Vitae, 2000 (born in the 2000s) did not experience it firsthand, inheriting its narratives instead through the stories, memories, and traumas of previous generations.
(1) “Curriculum Vitae, 2000” borrows imagery associated with the character and fictional world of Ninja Hattori, originating from the manga by Fujiko Fujio and later widely known in Indonesia through its animated series. This reference forms part of the performance’s artistic approach and is not intended as an adaptation of the original plot or story.
(2) The performance also incorporates the Indonesian version of the Ninja Hattori theme song, performed by Bondan Prakoso during his childhood career as a singer. At the time of publication, the author of the Indonesian lyrics remains unidentified.
(3) The performance incorporates opening and closing broadcast music from the Television of the Republic of Indonesia (TVRI) and Radio of the Republic of Indonesia (RRI), as used in the 1990s.
(4) Some scenes in the performance draw on the form and performance approach of “Ludruk”, a folk theatre tradition from East Java and Madura rooted in Indonesia’s oral performance culture. Rather than relying on a fixed written script, Ludruk commonly works from a narrative framework that provides direction for the performers, who develop dialogue, humour, and dramatic situations through live improvisation on stage.
(5) The performance also incorporates an excerpt from the song “Tahun 2000,” performed by Nasida Ria, an Indonesian female qasidah music group from Semarang, Central Java. Written and composed by K.H. Bukhori Masruri in 1982, the song is reinterpreted in this performance through a Jamet Sound Horeg-style remix by Sayosa, the music composer of “Curriculum Vitae, 2000.”
(6) The text for “The Dance Lecture by Kiai Jamet” was written by Raymizard Alifian Firmansyah, a performer and researcher involved in “Curriculum Vitae, 2000.”
(7) The tonil screens, painted fabric scrolls traditionally used as backdrops in Indonesian folk theatre, were created by Muhammad Sodhiq, Dwi Agustin, and Gata Mahardika.
(8) The performance was further developed through the contributions of the performers involved in its Indonesian premiere at Padepokan Seni Bagong Kussudiardja, Yogyakarta, in July 2025: Hamdani, Ma’rifatul Latifah, Syamsul Arifin, and Taufiqurrahman.
(9) In its 2025 edition, the performance was produced by BM Anggana, with Helmi Akbar Arraisi as lighting designer, Alan Daru Wicaksono as sound designer, Galang Gema as moving image designer, and Miftahul Maghfira Simanjuntak as stage manager. Their contributions were integral to the development of the work’s initial version. The credits listed for the current edition refer to the latest 2026 version of the performance, presented in Jakarta.
Director and Playwright
Shohifur Ridho’i
Producer and Translator
Istifada Nur Rahma
Performers
Ahmad Aqil
Dwi Agustin Rahayu
Hofifa
Pupuh Hadi Mulya
Raymizard Alifian Firmansyah
Music Composser
Sayosa
Lighting Designer
Maharani Pane
Sound Designer
Khoirul Umam
Set Designer
Gata Mahardika
Special Thanks
LPDP
Dana Indonesiana
Kementrian Kebudayaan RI
Jakarta Arts Council
Lembâna Artgroecosystem
Garasi Performance Institute
Padepokan Seni Bagong Kussudiardja
Balai Budaya Karang Kitri, Panggungharjo
Pascasarjana ISI Yogyakarta
Komunitas Sakatoya
Lohjinawi
Curriculum Vitae, 2000 was first presented in July 2025 as its Indonesian Premiere, with the support of Dana Indonesiana, at Padepokan Seni Bagong Kussudiardja, Yogyakarta.
The work was subsequently developed into its current version and presented as its World Premiere in August 2026 at the Djakarta International Theatre Platform (DITP). To specifically support the presentation of this work, DITP collaborated with MTN Seni Budaya.