Engaging with America

When Rendra returned from three years study in New York in 1967 the innovations he introduced into modern Indonesian theatre signalled the wider impact he would have on Indonesian cultural and political life Rendra spent 1964 to 1967 in the USA during which time he studied theatre at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and social sciences and the humanities at New York University. Prior to his departure, his alliance with the MANIKEBU writers opposed to the Leftist-inspired works of LEKRA had resulted in an effective ban on publishing his work in major periodicals. His sponsored study in America provided a good reason for absence from Indonesia as well as the chance to engage with Western arts and artists at the height of the 1960s alternative and experimental era. During his absence the Sukarno government, with its increasingly strong stance against the 'evils' of Western culture, was overturned, opening new opportunities for internationally-influenced artists such as Rendra to explore alternative means of artistic expression.