By UOW Malaysia 

Year 2 students from Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Media Production program recently captivated audiences with Stage Gig: Twisted Tales, a creative adaptation of classic fairy tales presented as part of their MMP3234N Screenplay and Scriptwriting course assessment. This innovative stage performance provided students an opportunity to showcase their skills in scriptwriting and performance, engaging viewers with a mix of humour, wit, and insightful storytelling. Department of Mass Communication Senior Lecturer, Maizul Affendy, explained that Stage Gig was introduced as part of the assessment to encourage students to become more adaptive and innovative.

The project challenged students to modernise traditional tales with contemporary themes, resulting in two original works: 5 Dwarfs, a unique twist adapted from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, written and directed by Aw Shu Wen, and Who Killed Me?, a clever mystery adapted from Sleeping Beauty, crafted by Alyssa Faith Lee. Each story was performed in a concise format, blending drama with wit to reconnect the audience with these timeless tales in fresh, thought-provoking ways.

“Twisted Tales wasn’t just about performance; it was about pushing boundaries in storytelling. Our students explored scriptwriting, character development, and emotional nuance, bringing beloved stories to life with renewed perspectives,” he added.

The introduction of Stage Gig reinforced the Department of Mass Communication’s commitment to transforming coursework into immersive, skills-based assessments. Through Twisted Tales, students showcased their versatility, creativity, and dedication, setting a new standard for experiential learning and performance excellence.