Ancient Balinese Society From The Perspective of Modern Theater Performance

Abstract

The rich world of ancient Balinese society can be reimagined through the lens of modern theatre. Balinese culture holds a deep legacy of philosophy, spirituality, and social values that have long been expressed through its traditional arts. Over time, these art forms have evolved and so has theatre itself. The challenge today is how to bring the social structures, beliefs, and daily life of historical Bali to the modern stage, blending traditional aesthetics with contemporary performance techniques. This study uses a qualitative and descriptive approach, drawing on literature, live performance observations, and interviews with practitioners of contemporary Balinese theatre. It draws inspiration from Stuart Hall’s theory of representation which explores how meaning is built through language and symbols and Richard Schechner’s theory of performativity, which views performance as a living, transformative act of culture. The findings show that modern Balinese theatre has become a powerful space for reinterpreting the past. Through symbolism, storytelling, and the creative dialogue between tradition and innovation, theatre can revive and renew Bali’s collective cultural memory. Rather than replacing traditional values, this evolution strengthens and expands them, connecting old wisdom to new audiences. Modern theatre thus stands as a bridge between Bali’s cultural history and its contemporary identity, helping safeguard its spirit in an ever-globalizing world