UPNVJ Public Relations — Teater Hijau Lima Satu (THLS) of the “Veteran” National Development University Jakarta (UPNVJ) achieved success at the 2026 Jakarta Campus Theater Festival (FTKJ) by winning four awards, including Best Group I. The awards were announced at the 2026 FTKJ Awards Night at the Small Theater, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, Wednesday (26/8/2026). In addition to being Best Group I, THLS also won Best Makeup Artist, Best Sound Designer, and Best Director, while strengthening the role of UPNVJ students in the arts and culture.
THLS was also nominated for Best Production Management and Best Actress for Athasya Naila Insyra's performance. These achievements demonstrate the team's strength not only in stage performance but also in direction, artistic direction, sound design, and production management.
Kaitsar Muhammad Hizkyl, a member of the THLS, a student in the Communication Studies Undergraduate Program at UPNVJ, said the FTKJ is an important platform for university theater groups in Jakarta. The competition provides a platform for students to test the quality of their work and exchange experiences with other campus theater groups.
"FTKJ 2026 is a prestigious theater festival for campuses in Jakarta. It would be a great honor if Teater Hijau could win this event," said Kaitsar.
According to Kaitsar, the initial process for FTKJ 2026 involved 21 universities before going through the selection process. The festival then presented 15 groups as finalists, who presented their respective works. The number of members in each group varied, so the overall festival involved hundreds of students in the creative and production processes. Information about the 15 finalists is also recorded in the FTKJ 2026 participant publication.
The THLS competition involved approximately 30 people working in various fields, including actors, directors, artistic teams, makeup artists, sound engineers, and production management. The THLS performance took place on August 18, 2026, at the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Auditorium, UPNVJ.
Participating in FTKJ 2026 requires a lengthy preparation process. In addition to intensive training, members must juggle their time with their studies. Production requirements such as prop construction, stage concept development, character development, artistic direction, and publication are also handled collaboratively.
"The preparations must have been very tough, considering that Teater Hijau aims to win this festival. It requires a lot of time, energy, and resources from each individual, but it doesn't compromise their studies," said Kaitsar.
According to him, the biggest challenge during the preparation process was maintaining consistency among all members so they could perform to the best of their ability amidst the various academic demands. The actors had to prepare physically and mentally, while the director and the artistic team developed the performance concept so it could be fully translated on stage.
At the same time, the production team is responsible for various technical and managerial needs, including prop construction, staging needs, and audience outreach. All of these elements must work as a whole to ensure the show runs according to the planned concept.
Kaitsar assessed that the success in winning four awards was the result of the discipline and collaboration of all members throughout the process.
"Alhamdulillah, all our hard work paid off with a total victory at the 2026 FTKJ awards night. We also certainly balanced having fun, learning, and being serious about training," he said.
Despite winning Best Group I, THLS doesn't want to see victory as an end in itself. Instead, it hopes this achievement will serve as a starting point for expanding knowledge, improving production quality, and strengthening the regeneration process within the Teater Hijau Lima Satu environment.
"From our victory in FTKJ 2026, I hope Teater Hijau and its members can remain humble and eager to continue learning in theater. Expanding our knowledge and not stopping here," said Kaitsar.
He hopes that THLS can maintain consistency in producing works, both through performances, festivals and various other arts learning spaces.
"Not just for winning, but also to be an example or even a role model for other theaters, on how Green Theater can become a consistently great theater," he said.
Teater Hijau Lima Satu (The Green Five One Theatre) is one of the Student Activity Units (UKM) in the arts at UPNVJ. According to the university's official website, THLS was founded on January 22, 1994, and serves as a forum for fostering students interested in and concerned with arts and culture, particularly theater. The organization fosters student activity and creativity by positioning the theater process as part of developing critical and responsible individuals.
THLS's achievement at the 2026 FTKJ reinforces UPNVJ's efforts to provide opportunities for student development not only through academic activities but also through organizations, arts, culture, creativity, leadership, and collaboration. Student activities are a crucial part of shaping students' experiences and skills beyond the classroom.
Under the leadership of UPNVJ Rector Prof. Dr. Anter Venus, MA, Comm, the university continues to encourage student organizations and activity units to become productive spaces to develop student potential while also bringing UPNVJ's name through achievements at the regional, national, and international levels. THLS' achievement as the Best Group I of FTKJ 2026 is one manifestation of the development of this potential through the performing arts field.