Meet Dr. Marlenny Deen Erwan

About Dr. Marlenny Deen Erwan

Lenny is Dusun, a native of Ranau, Sabah and holds a Writing Diploma from the National Academy of Arts (2002) and continues her studies in the field she loves up to the Doctorate level.

She is not only active in the field of writing but is also consistent in staging modern and traditional theater. Between 1995 and 1997, she was a teacher at SM Shan Tao Kota Kinabalu and also a sub-editor at the Daily Express Sabah publication. Marlenny is also known as an actress, director, and theater producer.

Her talent as a creative writer has been evident since she joined Iktan Penulis Sabah in 1992. Marlenny began to write poetry and short stories, which were published in local newspapers and magazines. Since 1999, Marlenny has been creating stage drama scripts, television drama scripts, newspaper articles/critiques, and song lyrics, as well as contributing to writing documentaries, TV promos, newspaper articles/critiques, and song lyrics. Marlenny is also involved in several scientific researches including writing a chapter for the publication of Makyong's book entitled Warisan Malaysia World Heritage published by the Department of National Heritage and the book Heritage of the Minang Community in Kuala Lumpur published by the Department of Culture and Arts of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. She also conducted research on the Kelantan Skin Puppet (2002), the Bobolian ceremony in Sabah (2007-2010), the Guru Makyong Worship ceremony in Kuala Besut Terengganu (2010) and the Kaul Mukah event in Sarawak in 2011. In the academic field, Marlenny is involved in developing Syllabus of Noble Script Writing and Traditional Theater Script Writing for the Artistic Writing Department of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in 2009. ASWARA, UPSI, USIM, and UiTM institutions have all had her as a part-time lecturer. At the Universiti Malaya Cultural Center, she is currently serving as a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Drama Department.