WITH its rich melodies and heartfelt storytelling, Dreamweaver: The Musical will transport audiences into a world where tradition meets aspiration, and dreams take centre stage.
This original Sarawakian production is more than a performance — it’s a reflection of the region’s cultural roots and the importance of preserving the heritage of weaving.
Driving the narrative are first-time musical theatre performers Laura Conter and Mabel Mujah, whose shared role as Aaliya mirrors their personal journeys of resilience and self-discovery.
As the Dec 11 premiere approaches, Laura and Mabel open up about their experiences, challenges, and what it means to bring this uniquely Sarawakian story to the stage.
A New Chapter
For Laura, theatre began as a university hobby back in 2019 and it has blossomed into a passion since then.
She said being part of Dreamweaver marks a significant milestone as it is her debut in musical theatre.
“I took part in various acting gigs during my university days, but it’s always been a dream of mine to be in a musical,” she said.
For Mabel, her theatre journey began in 2021, and Dreamweaver has pushed her into uncharted but exciting territory.
“Like Laura, this is my very first musical theatre production, and I am so honored to be part of Dreamweaver,” she said.
Mabel pointed out that she was introduced to the opportunity by one of her lecturers at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and she took the chance.
“At the time, I was in my final semester and thinking about my next steps. I thought, ‘Why not give it a shot?’ and I went for the audition without expecting much.
“A few days later, I got a call for second round of audition. I didn’t think I would make it, but I was ecstatic when I was accepted,” she said.
Meanwhile, Laura stumbled upon the casting ads for Dreamweaver on social media.
“I discovered this production through Instagram. Funny enough, I didn’t manage to go for the initial audition but the director, Ambrose Eng reached out to me and encouraged me to audition for the role of Aaliya.
“Afterwards, I received an email from the writer Jon Smith who informed that I got the part. It has been an amazing experience working alongside such a talented cast and learning so much,” she said.
Bringing Aaliya to Life
In Dreamweaver, Laura and Mabel share the role of Aaliya, a young woman torn between her responsibilities to her weaving business as well as weavers and her dreams of a better life.
For both actresses, stepping into Aaliya’s shoes has been a deeply personal and transformative experience.
Laura highlighted that Aaliya’s journey is relatable, as she is a small business owner with ambitious dreams of creating a better life not only for herself but also for her team of weavers.
“Balancing her responsibilities to her community and her personal aspirations make Aaliya a compelling character. To portray authentically, I researched characters with similar stories and tried to make her my own,” she said.
For Mabel, the character resonates on a personal level to her.
“I also find Aaliya’s story relatable especially since I’m also the eldest daughter in my family. Her resilience and determination really speak to me, particularly her efforts to preserve her weaving business and traditions while supporting her weavers and loved ones.
“Playing her has been both challenging and rewarding,” she said.
The Magic of Rehearsals
Behind the scenes, rehearsals have been a blend of hard work, laughter and growth.
For Mabel, the warm-ups have been a highlight as they are a mix of hilarity and preparation.
“But the physical exercises, like crawling, are exhausting. This is the first time I have had to sing and move simultaneously for such an extended period.
“It has been a learning curve, but I got better with each rehearsal,” she said.
Laura echoed the sentiment, and she pointed out that warm-ups are essential.
“They set the tone for our rehearsals and help us bond as a cast. Singing while moving has been a challenge, but it’s been rewarding to see how much we have grown,” she said.
Laura pointed out that she and Mabel learn a lot from each other during rehearsals, as each brings their own interpretation of the character.
She said this dynamic makes the entire experience engaging and enriching, as they constantly exchange ideas and perspectives.
“Moreover, I love how Aaliya evolves throughout the musical – from struggling with inner conflict to finding growth and clarity,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mabel described Laura’s energy on stage as truly inspiring, motivating her to match that same level of intensity.
“Aaliya’s journey highlights themes of women empowerment, unity, and the importance of preserving culture. It is inspiring to see how Laura bring this character to life,” she said.
Counting Down to Opening Night
With opening night on Dec 11 fast approaching, excitement and nerves are running high.
Laura said it feels surreal how quickly time has flown by, and she feels proud of what the team has accomplished.
“We cannot wait to share Aaliya’s story with the audience,” she said.
At the same time, Mabel encouraged everyone to come and experience the magic of Dreamweaver.
“Bring your friends, family, and children. This musical celebrates heritage, resilience, and unity through an amazing cast and original songs. It’s something you won’t want to miss,” she said.
As Dreamweaver prepares to take centre stage, Laura and Mabel hope the production will inspire a new wave of creativity in Sarawak.
“We have so many untold stories, both traditional and contemporary. Musical theatre is a powerful medium for sharing them as it combines acting, singing and dancing thus creating a unique experience for audience,” Mabel said.
Laura agreed and highlighted the growing potential of Sarawak’s theatre scene.
“Theatre brings people together, celebrates culture, and addresses social issues. I hope this production encourages more people to explore and support the arts,” she said.
Dreamweaver: The Musical is an original production that celebrates Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage and the traditional art of weaving.
The musical will run from Dec 11 at the Old Courthouse’s auditorium and tickets are available on cloudjoi.com.
