UNIT IV: Original Performance with the Use of Media

Philippine Theater and Performing Group

What is Theater?
Theater is the one major art form that brings together all the other art
forms—from painting and sculpture to installation art, to music, to dance, to
literature, even to computer arts—in a single production. A story is acted out on
stage (or other performance area) by actors portraying the characters, bringing
them to life and developing the plot through dialogue and actions, and sometimes
through song and/or dance.
The Philippines has a rich and thriving theater industry that you may be
interested to venture into in the future. Productions range from original plays with
Philippine themes and settings, to renowned theater classics from past centuries to contemporary musicals from
Broadway or London’s West End. Below is an overview of some of the more prominent theater and performing
groups in the country and their major productions.

What is the importance of theater art?

Theater art has long been a tradition in Philippine society. It is effectively used as a form of people's
expression and entertainment. It is also educational and is important in promoting our nation's cultural identity. It
can be generally classified into the professional group and the non-professional group.
A. Professional Philippine Theater Groups
Theater groups are formed by people who have a deep passion for theater arts. All over the Philippines,
these groups are organized to serve as an important cultural force. Many of these groups are funded through a
combination of public (government) and private (individual) money. These professional theater groups contribute
to the maintenance of production standards and provide assistance to local theater groups. Some of these well-
known professional theater groups are the following:
 PETA – Philippine Educational Theater Association
PETA is well known to be an innovative theater group that advocates a modern perspective on Philippine
art and society. It supports issue-based theater to bring about more social and political awareness among
students and professionals. It also initiates training through its program, performances, and workshops.
The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) started in 1967. It is a group of theater artists-
teachers who believes that theater can be a tool to educate and inspire social transformation. During its early
history, PETA performed plays in an open theater in Fort Santiago, Intramuros.
In 2005, PETA moved to its new home and theater located in New Manila, Quezon City. PETA has
performed more than 400 plays and conducts workshops to inspire future theater performers. Though they have
their own theater, PETA often performs in different schools to inspire and enlighten the Filipino youth.
 Repertory Philippines
Repertory Philippine Foundation, Inc. was established by Baby Barredo and Zenaida Amador,
undoubtedly the two great pillars of Philippines theater. Together, they built repertory Philippines with undying
passion, dedication, and persistence in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges and difficulties.
Like PETA, another theater group was established in 1967, and this was the Repertory Philippines (REP).
The Repertory Philippines was an answer to urban professionals who wanted to act during their free time. It
proved to be a theatrical training ground with the respected theater actor Zenaida "Bibot" Amador at the helm.
Training was demanding, and it produced disciplined and committed artists.
The Repertory initially produced shows for the expat community to survive and pay the bills. The
Repertory took up residence at the Insular Life Building where they were well received by audiences for the next
25 years. During these years the Repertory proved itself to be the country's premier English-speaking theater
company. It has since then moved on to different residences and is now housed in Greenbelt 1, Makati at the
ONSTAGE theater.
 Trumpets
Trumpets is Asia's first professional gospel theater group that specializes in productions with bible and
gospel messages. It began in 1980 and found success with its productions such as Joseph the Dreamer and First
Name. Their early success made them organized into an official theater company in 1991 and was renamed
Triumphant People's Evangelistic Theater Society. Trumpets have performed and produced plays not only in the
Philippines, but also in other countries as well such as Singapore, Japan, Guam, etc.
Under its wing, Trumpets has organized annual workshops in theater, dance, and voice called Trumpets
Playshop where budding performers can enhance their talents. Some of Trumpets' pool of talents includes Gary
Valenciano, Sam Concepcion, Christian Bautista, and many more.
 Tanghalang Pilipino (TP)
Tanghalang Pilipino is another leading proponent of Philippine theater under the umbrella of the Cultural
Center of the Philippines (CCP). It is well-known for its production of original Filipino plays since 1987. As it is
under the umbrella of the CCP, TP is mandated to work on the development of Filipinos' cultural consciousness. It
aims to develop and train Filipino actors, playwrights, and designers through stage play. Some of its productions
are as follows: Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal, Walang Sugat, Ibalong Muzikal
 New Voice Company
The New Voice Company was founded in 1994 by Repertory alumna Monique Wilson. It is the country's
foremost feminist theater group that deals with contemporary social issues. It hopes to enlighten and awaken
people to stand against social injustice.
It became famous when it produced The Vagina Monologues abroad and in the Philippines since 2001 to
help change the laws on the sex trafficking and domestic violence in the country.
Its provocative approach to theater has made New Voice one of the most respected theater groups in the
country and in Asia. It deals with issues such as women's rights, gender equality, sexual harassment, and other
relevant issues to the contemporary world.

B. Nonprofessional Local Performing Groups

There are nonprofessional theaters all around the Philippines. They help in keeping the professional
stage alive and strong. With the commercial theater centered in Metro Manila and few shows undertaking tours,
theater lovers have found an outlet in the local or little-theater movement. The Luzon Theater Network has been
working with various theater groups like the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation (BKFI), the Bukawel Performing
Arts, and the ARTIST (Arts Research and Training Institute in Southern Tagalog, Inc.). They produce plays to
showcase regional culture in terms of design traditions and literary themes.
The school theater is another example of theater regarded in the non-professional field. From creative
dramatics at the elementary level to high school plays and productions, to the better-equipped theaters of
colleges and universities, educational theater continues to be an inspiring, constructive, and creative force. The
Philippines is fortunate to have public education that takes theater to heart. Perhaps young people in other
countries seldom have the chance to meet living drama in their regular classrooms and on the school stage, but
in the Philippines, scarcely a high school, college, or university is without some type of dramatics course and
production group.
Some of the oldest campus-based theater groups in the Philippines are the FEU Theater Guild founded in
1934, the De La Salle Dramatics founded in 1960, the Sining Kambayoka of the Mindanao State University in
Marawi City founded in 1974, and the Dulaang University of the Philippines (UP), which was founded in 1976.
What are the developments in original performances in the Philippines?
The following are some of the current developments in original performance in our country.
1. There is an increase in the number of original plays written and produced by Filipino playwrights.
2. There is also an increase in the number of contemporary Filipino playwrights and theater groups who
strongly advocate strengthening Filipino identity.
3. The new trend in the utilization of computers and digital technology has also gained popularity in theater
production.