Jo Kukathas is a multi-talented individual, encompassing roles as an actor, writer, director, and activist. Her theatrical endeavours have seen her traverse the globe, with performances, directorial work, workshops, and participation in conferences spanning countries such as Singapore, Japan, Brazil, Australia, the USA, Germany, Korea, India, Taiwan, China, and the Philippines. She also writes and performs one-woman shows and stand-up comedy in various personas. In May 2020, she penned an insightful article on the state of arts and culture in Malaysia. The article’s significance led to its publication on the arts portal, Arts Equator, and it is now included in the arts curricula of some lecturers.

Jo Kukathas spent the early part of her career teaching literature and proofreading the book of her father, K. Das, the political writer and former bureau chief of Far Eastern Economic Review. She caught the acting bug and started appearing on stage where she met new friends, including the late Jit Murad, Andrew Leci and Zahim Albakri.

Together with her new friends, Jo founded the Instant Café Theatre (ICT) in 1989, a progressive theatre that would emerge as a renegade force in Malaysia’s culture scene. From an initial programme focused on political satire and experimental works, ICT has expanded its scope to include issues like race, religion, gender, and climate change.

From time to time, Jo ventures outside of ICT’s domain. She has performed at the Museum of London, for British multidisciplinary artist Tai Shahi’s experimental theatre piece titled My Bodily Remains.