RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - During a recent cultural showcase, Creative Economy Deputy Minister and the Creative Economy Agency Deputy Head, Irene Umar identified the performing arts and music subsectors as key areas where university talent can drive significant national growth.

Irene emphasized that higher education institutions serve as abundant reservoirs for the country’s best talent, particularly in evolving the musical theater industry. She challenged students to think beyond the stage and consider the long-term impact of their collaborative efforts.

"This performance shows that through cross-sector collaboration, we can produce a work that we will later immortalize together, and I am sure the results will be extraordinarily good. So, you have one task: to think about that," the Deputy Minister stated in a confirmed statement on Monday, 6 April 2026.

As reported by Antara, the Ministry specifically lauded the boldness of students from Prasetiya Mulya University for their production of "Musikal Pasar Dangdoet: Semesta Berdendang." The musical, which infuses traditional dangdut nuances into a modern theater format, was praised for its strong narrative power and distinct cultural identity.

Irene noted that such works are essential components in strengthening the national creative ecosystem. This demonstrates that creativity has become a primary "engine of growth" for the younger generation.

"I want you all to create these opportunities starting from college. What is happening today is not just because of capital, but also because of persistence. This young generation has started to think not only about business or the economy, but how creativity can be an engine of growth," she added.

The production was staged by SEMESTA (Semangat Seni Prasetiya Mulya), a student organization dedicated to developing performing arts rooted in Indonesian culture. Their latest show, themed "Diverse Artistry: The Semesta Glitz," tells the story of Adeng, a young man torn between his dreams of becoming an actor and comedian and his family's expectation to run a traditional market business.

Directed by Andibachtiar Yusuf and Dadang Badoet, the performance blended music, comedy, and social commentary to mirror the struggles of everyday people balancing reality and aspiration.

Reflecting on the academic significance of the event, the Rector of Prasetiya Mulya University, Hassan Wirajuda, explained that honing creativity through such activities provides a foundation for innovation. This impact spans various sectors, ranging from media to knowledge-based economies.

"This activity is not just an artistic expression, but also an integral part of the learning ecosystem at this university. Furthermore, we see an increasingly close link between the world of education and the creative economy sector. Therefore, Prasetiya Mulya University will continue to encourage spaces for expression and collaboration," explained Hassan.

The Creative Economy Ministry views these student productions as concrete examples of how the youth can transform local cultural wealth into economic assets while simultaneously reinforcing the nation's cultural identity. ***