I was eight years old when I first found my love for acting. Being able to dress up in crazy costumes and portray fun characters was the perfect way to fulfil my imagination as a child. Sitting in my bedroom, I would write and prepare my own scripts, excited to perform them in front of my family members and make them laugh! I knew from a young age that acting made me feel special.
It was my safe place.
Acknowledging my passion, my parents decided to sign me up for drama classes. With countless hours spent taking lessons, making costumes, learning stage directions, memorising scripts, and performing in front of an audience, my devotion for acting only grew stronger.
Being able to share special and unforgettable moments on stage with my co-stars, always created this sense of a close-knit community. With so many months spent preparing and perfecting a scene together as a team, it felt so joyous and special to accomplish it on the night of a performance. Hearing the acclamation of the crowd always made me feel so proud to be surrounded by a group of talented performers.
Theatre helped me dig down under my skin, searching for a way to express the emotions that had been carved within me. It was a chance to explore myself through a different light.
Theatre helped me dig down under my skin, searching for a way to express the emotions that had been carved within me. It was a chance to explore myself through a different light.
In 2016, with my HSC looming large like an unwelcome guest, I joined a Turkish theatre group called Tiyatro Kopru. It was then that I discovered how cultural theatre could not only help me find my own identity but that it could also be the main catalyst in strengthening my connection to my culture.
I was born and raised in Australia, but both of my parents are from Turkey, migrating here separately in 1992. Although they met and married here, they still speak Turkish at home and have a large extended friendship group based in Sydney.
Growing up as a child, I was raised with strong Turkish traditions and values at home, but realised early on that certain customs were practised differently within the Australian culture. At times, I found myself trying to balance between two cultures. I felt like I didn’t fit in with my surroundings.
But this all changed when I joined Turkish theatre. Walking into a room, and being introduced to a group of people who shared a similar journey like me, immediately made me feel like I was not alone. I felt proud and confident to speak so freely in my mother tongue.
Miray (centre) on stage with her co-stars. Source: Supplied
I was weeks away from sitting my HSC examinations when I decided to sign up. Going in, I remember the doubt that filled my mind. Is it a good idea to join the theatre during an important period in my life? Is it worth adding more stress? Should I quit and perhaps join again after my exams?
Walking into the building for the first time, any concern or scepticism that originally crossed my mind had suddenly vanished.
Welcomed with open arms and smiling faces, I was greeted with a warm embrace. "Merhaba Miray!" "It's so nice to meet you". "We're so excited to have you join our family".
Initially, I wanted to join the Turkish theatre to live out my passion…to be in front of a crowd, and to be doing what I do best. To perform.
It was a chance for me to help keep our history and our traditional stories alive within the Turkish Australian community.
But being within the presence of my new friends, and watching them represent Turkey so profoundly, made me realise that this was an opportunity for me to do more. It was a chance for me to help keep our history and our traditional stories alive within the Turkish Australian community.
What began was a series of special moments and hard work over four years spent on projecting the essence of our culture. From being a part of performances like Giderayak, Kıbrıs Hikayeleri, Karagoz ve Hacivat, Kac Baba Kac, and Mimi Ve Kardan Adam, I found myself bringing laughter, nostalgia, and a sense of hope to my community.
In 2019, I had the privilege of performing in the 50th Anniversary of Turkish Migration production in collaboration with the Australian Turkish Music Ensemble. I felt empowered that I was given the opportunity to perform at such a momentous event. It was a day where my voice was heard not only through my performance but also as a proud individual.
Miray Bakarohlu (second from left) on stage with her Turkish theatre troupe.
Yes, theatre is a beautiful aspect of my life. But looking out into the audience, surrounded by red and white - the colours of the Turkish flag, and clutching my co-star's hands as we bowed at the tumultuous applause, made me realise that being able to preserve the Turkish culture, celebrations and our language was the greatest achievement of all.
