Getting to Know Alexandra Kumala, The Anthropologists’ Newest Creative Partner
Mariah Freda, Tess Rodriguez, Marissa Joyce Stamps, and Alexandra Kumala (Melissa Moschitto)
Lauren Knight, Features Writer
Niki Hatzidis, Features Editor
Playing with camera angles, puppets, and paper props, Alexandra Kumala jumped headfirst into embracing five weeks of Zoom rehearsals for The Anthropologists’ devised theater piece, No Pants in Tucson. As COVID-19 impacted the ability to devise and rehearse this play together, Kumala worked alongside her fellow castmates and creatives to explore new mediums and continue crafting their production. The Anthropologists just named Kumala a Creative Partner for Programming and Partnerships thanks to a grant from Dime Community Bank Fund administered by the Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York, and she has already brought so much to the table.
During the five weeks of rehearsals for No Pants in Tucson, Kumala discovered different ways to rehearse and collaborate on a project that would normally require everyone’s physical presence in one space. She decided to utilize objects around her apartment to visualize certain aspects of the show from home, creating puppets from paper, cardstock, and magazines. Her consistent use of paper also became a reoccurring pattern within rehearsals that eventually became part of the production itself; this new edition became an effective tool for Kumala’s character.
“A couple of people mentioned ‘oh, in Alexandra’s composition, there’s this pattern of paper,’” said Kumala. “That wouldn’t have happened if this weren’t through Zoom. I needed tools to express everything that I wanted to express, and I had to use paper as a symbolic item for what I wanted to say.”
In addition to acting within this production, Kumala’s new position as Creative Partner for Programming and Partnerships has allowed her to work administratively within the company. As the play centers around American laws that regulate the female body, she uses her previous experience working with advocacy organizations to collect information that could be of use in the devising process. Her background in community engagement and advocacy paired with her training in theater allows Kumala to use her talents in a variety of ways.
Alexandra Kumala
Growing up in Jakarta, Indonesia, Kumala began her involvement in the arts at a very young age, performing as a ballerina for eight years. She spent that time performing on both national stages in Indonesia as well as weddings and parties before attending a Singaporean school.
“It was very strict and sterile, and they sort of brainwashed us into thinking that if you go into the arts, you’re not going to amount to anything,” said Kumala.
When it was time for her to apply to colleges, she chose to pursue a pre-medical major. After beginning her college education at the University of Washington, she began to see the ways that Seattle focuses their healthcare on the social determinants of health.
“That was when I learned about how someone’s health isn’t just based on the cellular level, but so much more on the socioeconomic and sociopolitical influences that affect that person,” said Kumala. “All of these things made me a lot more interested in the story behind the numbers.”
When thinking about how to tie this into her love for performance, Kumala reflected back on the power in the knowledge of global issues and advocacy.
“I felt like I really wanted to tell these stories because if only people understood and learned about the world outside of their own bubble, they would be able to make more empathetic decisions in their business practices, government positions, and in their daily lives,” said Kumala.
Shortly after, she began taking acting classes in the school’s theater department and eventually decided to move to New York City after graduation.
In 2019, Kumala attended “Theater of Change,” the Broadway Advocacy Coalition’s joint program with Columbia Law School in 2019, where she met Melissa Moschitto, The Anthropologists’ Founding Artistic Director. As the program progressed over the course of a week, the two began to find chances to engage in conversation and get to know one another.
“My initial impression of Alexandra was actually that she was quite reserved, which is a bit atypical for a performer and therefore more intriguing to me,” said Moschitto. “Alexandra is a deep listener and a keen observer, so I was naturally curious about her. When I finally saw her perform in the Theater of Change presentations, I was really drawn to her caustic sense of humor. That's always been something that vibes with me.”
The two women kept in touch and in July 2019, Moschitto contacted Kumala to join the first round of development for No Pants in Tucson, prompting the beginning of her involvement with The Anthropologists. She has worked with the theater company ever since, officially becoming a Creative Partner in May 2020.
While collaborating with Kumala on No Pants in Tucson during the pandemic, Moschitto expresses how much she enjoys Kumala’s willingness to put herself out there within the ensemble during rehearsals.
“You know, I just never know what to expect with Alexandra and I love that,” said Moschitto. “Even while working in isolation during the pandemic, she has opened up surprising creative pathways and characters and it's been super exciting to watch her creativity unfold.”
As the company continues to work on devising No Pants in Tucson from home, Kumala finds this piece to be her artistic motivation to continue fostering creativity during the pandemic.
“Honestly, there’s been so many days where I feel paralyzed, not even just creatively, but even emotionally and mentally blocked,” said Kumala. “I feel like if I didn’t have this five-week digital devising process with the Anthropologists, I would just be like a hermit in bed or on my couch, in my head trying to find answers.”
As she explores her character in the play as well as her new administrative role within the company, Kumala's expansion of her involvement within The Anthropologists is one of great excitement.
Lauren Knight is a theater journalist and may be reached at laureneknight1@gmail.com.