They laughed at Eugene, but he never regretted his choice

By MELYNE BAROI
WHEN Eugene Avediba began his studies under the Theatre Arts division at the University of PNG, he did not envisage travelling to the other side of the world representing the nation because he had no idea what that particular discipline of study was about.
“It was evident when I first started the course, and asked about where I will be employed and how an Arts degree could sustain me in the future.”
Eugene, 22, comes from a family with blood ties to Northern, Central and Milne Bay. He is the youngest of five brothers.
He grew up in a home where all the men were scientists, and his mother an accountant. So when he streamed into the Social Science class at Lae Secondary, no one liked his choice.
“My five brothers took up Science in high school. So when I took up Social Science, some laughed at me. No family member preferred Arts.”
In 2020, Eugene was accepted to study under the Creative Arts Division at UPNG.
“I had no idea about the course but I applied anyway and was blessed to be considered. On registration, I found out that I had to choose between Music, Arts and Design, and Theatre Arts. I wanted to challenge myself with something I had no idea about – Theatre Arts.”
In November 2021, Eugene was given the opportunity to take part in a dance competition.
“We got word from a friend in the school that there was a competition organised by the PNG Tourism and Promotion Authority and the National Cultural Commission. We have a dance group we formed called the Thespians for our assessments. So we joined the competition.”
After the competition, the Thespians was one of two groups of dancers selected to participate in the 2022 World Expo in Dubai in February.
“The travel to Dubai was a dream as it was my first time to ever travel overseas. It was exciting that the love and passion for Arts was taking me to such an exquisite country with all expenses paid for by the PNG Tourism Authority and the United Arab Emirates,”
They arrived in Dubai on Feb 19.

“ This is the single biggest achievement in my life and I remain grateful for choosing to study Theatre Arts as it exposed my untapped talents and capabilities.”

“Our team was called the PNG Performing Arts Troupe made of the UPNG Thespians and the Bilas group. We had a Creative director but the team needed a stage manager. Everyone decided that I should take up the role as it is my field of expertise – at least as a Theater Arts undergraduate.
“(The director) told me that I had to put into practice the theory of modern contemporary dancing and the PNG traditional dances we learned in our second year.”
Eugene recently received a certificate of excellence from the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority in Port Moresby presented by Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture Isi Leonard.
Eugene is currently the president of the Creative Arts Division at UPNG.
“I proved that Arts can sustain someone who is passionate about it and that can happen on a global stage even while still in school and before getting a degree.
“This is the single biggest achievement in my life and I remain grateful for choosing to study Theatre Arts as it exposed my untapped talents and capabilities.”
Being the youngest of five brothers, Eugene is always the loudest and most out-going in the family.
“I am my parents’ favorite child, so it is natural for me to be loud, out-spoken and super confident. I am a go-getter, I always have this mentality of taking the lead.”
He believes it is the secret to success in life: to believe in yourself and to reach for the stars without limiting yourself.