Tanghalang Ateneo presents 37th season with the theme "Staging Revolution/s"

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THEATER ARTS TREATS 2015 : TANGHALANG ATENEO PRESENTS 37TH SEASON LINE-UP OF PRODUCTIONS

Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theater company of the Loyola Schools of the Ateneo de Manila University, is celebrating its 37th season with the theme "Staging Revolution/s".

Growing from a fledgling band of student players to one of the country’s leading school-based theater companies, Tanghalang Ateneo will stage this season three works that have been deemed revolutionary when they were first unleashed to the world.

These productions are:

R.U.R. (Robot Unibersal ni Rossum)

written by Karel Čapek

translation by Guelan Varela-Luarca

direction by JK Anicoche

September 30, October 1-3, 6-10, and 13-17

Venue: Ateneo's Fine Arts Black Box Theater

"R.U.R. (ROSSUM’S UNIVERSAL ROBOTS/ROBOT UNIBERSAL NI ROSSUM)" is a science fiction classic by Czech writer Karel Capek. Originally written in Czech, this Tanghalang Ateneo production will use a new Filipino translation by Palanca winner Guelan Varela-Luarca. The play is about the rebellion of human-like creatures called robots that leads to the extinction of the human race. The danger of man’s desires of a utopian and totalitarian world is one of the play's central themes.

TA Lab: Utos ng Hari - a devised production of Jun Cruz Reyes’ “Utos ng Hari”

direction by Ricardo Abad

November 24-28, and December 1-5

Venue: Ateneo's Fine Arts Black Box Theater

TA Lab is a Tanghalang Ateneo project that features the company's trainees as actors and the company members as members of the production staff. This season, Jun Cruz Reyes’ "Utos ng Hari", a short story about a student’s rebellion against the repressing methods of his school’s authorities, will be presented in a devised production.

KALANTIAW 

written by Rene O. Villanueva

direction by Charles Yee

March 30-31, April 1-2, 5-9, and 12-6 

Venue: Ateneo's Rizal Mini-Theater

Based on real-life events, "Kalantiaw", originally entitled “Ang Kagila-gilalas na Kasinungalingan Tungkol sa Isang Kayumangging Bayan”, is written by the country's leading playwright in Filipino Rene O. Villanueva. This Palanca First Prize-winning play is about the life of historian Jose Marco and the hoax he created - the controversial Code of Kalantiaw. The play, first performed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and then at the Theatre Le Rond Point in Paris by Tanghalang Pilipino, forces us to take a closer and more critical look at our sense of nationalism.

Glenn Sevilla Mas, a well-respected playwright and 9-time Palanca winner for drama, is the artistic director of the company and the Theater Arts Program Coordinator of the Ateneo de Manila University.

The officers of Tanghalang Ateneo (SY 2015-2016) are: 

Hershee D. Tantiado (Company Manager)

Rnice E. Delgra (Finance Officer)

Maria Del Carmen B. Juliano (Marketing Coordinator)

Nicolo M. Perez (Publicity Coordinator)

Gabriel Maria F. Tibayan (Secretary General)

Bianca G. Bautista (Special Projects Officer)

John Brian E. De Asis (Theater Manager).

For inquiries and reservations, please contact Madel Juliano at 0917-631-4387 or email: ta.mpc78@gmail.com.

Connect to Tanghalang Ateneo online through the following social media networks:

Facebook:www.facebook.com/TanghalangAteneo

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TAOfficial_

Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanghalangateneo

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/tanghalangateneo

AUTHORIAL INTENT : A post-modern romantic comedy play set to open on June 24

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In a space where everyone is acting, how do you know if it's real?

The Ateneo de Manila University’s Fine Arts Program presents

"AUTHORIAL INTENT" by Itamar Moses, a postmodern romantic comedy that confronts the audience with a rich and self-aware story, written with both insider knowledge of the mechanics of drama and a shrewd grasp of the multilayered ways in which people deceive themselves.

"AUTHORIAL INTENT" puts its audience behind the fourth wall of a condominium shared by a couple, referred to only as A and B. They have just begun to live together. Three days after moving in together, a woman tells a man she doesn't love him anymore --- move out !!!. Suddenly, the play itself undergoes a parallel breakdown, with the two characters speaking their objectives and subtext instead of their dialogue. Finally, the two actors step out of character, to look back and wonder: Is there anything at all behind the artifice?

But the masterful stroke of playwright Itamar Moses' pen further unmasks the layers of truth and craftsmanship behind the encounter, from their character objectives and conversational tactics to the revelation that the condominium is actually the set of a play, where A and B find themselves as actors in a very real world, perpetually in search of something to be sure about. In a space where everyone is acting, how do you know if it's real?

The comic, metafictive approach of "AUTHORIAL INTENT" invites viewers to consider the complex and often adversarial relationship between the vision of the author, the inner lives of the characters (and the actors embodying them), and you, the audience. 

But you don't need to be a theater critic or art student to appreciate its perfectly-timed hilarity, its clarity of voice, and its ultimately compassionate outlook on human life in general and relationships in particular. 

"AUTHORIAL INTENT" has something to offer anyone who has ever wondered just what it is their significant other wants.

Missy Maramara, MFA-wielding instructor of the Ateneo de Manila's Fine Arts Program and English Department and a member of the Silly People's Improv Theatre (SPIT), plays Character A, a woman In a space where everyone is acting, how do you know if it's real?

Carlo Rivera, who lectures at the Ateneo de Manila's English Department when he's not flying airplanes, plays Character B, a neurotic film geek who knows exactly what he wants – Character A.

In line with the university's desire to open new horizons for deserving and capable neophytes, two young students have found themselves onstage as alternate members of the cast. Ann Nicole Ong, an AB English Literature senior with a talent for painting and a track record of leadership in creative projects ranging from Humanities Week to the InTACT program lends her unique voice to Character A, while Manuel Jan Molina, a Management Engineering sophomore and deploys his acting training from Loyola Marymount University and ABS-CBN's Starmagic workshops to bring Character B to life. Their participation is a testament to the Ateneo Fine Arts Program's devotion to making theatrical dreams come true.

"AUTHORIAL INTENT" was written by widely published New York playwright, Itamar Moses, author of the full-length plays Outrage, Bach At Leipzig, Celebrity Row, The Four of Us, Yellowjackets, Back Back Back, and Completeness, and various short plays and one-acts. His work has appeared Off-Broadway and elsewhere in New York, at regional theatres across the country and in Canada, and has been published by Faber & Faber, Heinemann Press, Playscripts Inc., Samuel French, Inc., and Vintage. Mr. Moses holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU and has taught playwriting at Yale and NYU. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild, MCC Playwrights Coalition, Naked Angels Mag 7, and is a New York Theatre Workshop Usual Suspect. He was born in Berkeley, California, and now lives in Brooklyn, New York.

The artistic and production team of "AUTHORIAL INTENT" led by Missy Maramara (Director), is composed of Ateneo Fine Arts students, alumni and friends, Miguel Ocampo (Assistant Director), David Mercado (Production Designer), Syd Alcantara (Lights Designer) and Erwin Comendador (Music Director), Arianne Lim and Nicholas Ang (Production Managers), Reg Acquitana (Marketing Manager), Arsenio Armas and Ayen Mendoza (Stage Managers).

The Ateneo de Manila Fine Arts Program continues the University's distinguished tradition in creative writing, theater arts, and the visual arts. It upholds artistic excellence, shaped by a rigorous practice of the craft, a critical appreciation of theory and history, and a heightened sense of imagination and expression in the context of the Filipino sensibility and service to others. In line with the university's desire to open new horizons for deserving and capable neophytes, young students and fresh graduates have found themselves as members of the cast and crew. 

"AUTHORIAL INTENT" shall run from June 24 - 26 and July 2 - 3 at 7 p.m. at the Gonzaga Fine Arts Theater, Ateneo de Manila, Q.C. 

Tickets are at Php200 (discount prices available upon bulk purchasing) and can be reserved through 09233174852.

For further details, check www.facebook.com/ateneoauthorialinent.

Tanghalang Ateneo's 36th season with the theme “Navigating Identities” all set to open with Han Ong’s ‘MIDDLE FINGER' on August 1

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As Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theater company of the Loyola Schools of the Ateneo de Manila University, celebrates its 36th season with the theme “Navigating Identities,” will feature Han Ong’s ‘MIDDLE FINGER,’ an adaptation of the famous German play ‘Spring Awakening’ by Frank Wedekind.

The company aims to stage plays that center on man’s exploration and need to find himself and his place in the world.

Featuring a bilingual script using the original by Han Ong and a Filipino translation by Ronan B. Capinding, MIDDLE FINGER is a coming-of-age story centered on two Filipino teenagers, Jakob Rodriguez and Benjamin Lunga, studying in a Catholic school in America. In a world dominated by adults and social constructs, they attempt to find control and establish themselves as individuals.

Guelan Luarca shall play the role of Jakob Rodriguez, a headstrong and rebellious adolescent boy trying hard to break away from the boundaries set for him by the adults in his life.

Joe-Nel Garcia shall play the role of Benjamin Lunga, the best friend of Jakob, this average student only wants the good and simple things but is suddenly faced with the hard reality of life.

The other members of the cast are as follows:

Brian Ramos plays the role of Yachin, the nerd of the group who tries to figure out a balance between his logical way of thinking and undoubting faith in God.

Gab Tibayan plays artistic Wallace who had had the unfortunate luck of having birds nest in his hair.

Avie Alcantara plays Michael, the new American kid in school just trying to fit in with the rest of the boys.

Niki Calma portrays Myrna a prostitute who serves as the ironic authority figure for Jakob, trying to teach him the intricacies of adult life.

Marjorie Lorico will essay the role of Mrs. Rodriguez, who stands as mother and moral compass for Jakob.

Joseph dela Cruz plays the role of Mr. Rodriguez, the unresponsive father figure in the Rodriguez household who seems to have given up with the challenges of life.

Dolly de Leon will play the role of Mrs. Lunga, the stoic mother of Benjamin Lunga who slowly loses to the world.

David Bianco will portray the role of the teacher, and Richard Cunanan shall play the pivotal role of the Counselor.

Members of the ensemble include Juella Bautista, who plays Celia, the quirky love interest of Yachin, Aih Mendoza playing Hilda Rodriguez, the older sister of Jakob who has left home, Soc delos Reyes playing the roles of bartender and Jerome Flor playing Mickey, the older brother of Yachin, driven to insanity by his physical appearance.

The artistic team of MIDDLE FINGER is led by Glenn Sevilla Mas (Artistic Director, Tanghalang Ateneo), Ed Lacson Jr. (Director and Production Designer), Teresa Barrozo (Sound Designer) and Meliton Roxas Jr. (Lights Designer).

The playdates of MIDDLE FINGER are as follows: August 1-2, 4-9, 11-16 and 18-22,2014. The play starts promptly at 7 p.m. Matinee shows start at 3 p.m.(Saturday).

The press preview is set on July 30 at 6 p.m.

All performances will be held at the Fine Arts Black Box Studio of the Ateneo de Manila University.

For details of the show, please contact Acel Go at 0916-480-2195 or email:ta.mpc78@gmail.com.

Connect to Tanghalang Ateneo online through the following social media networks:

Website: www.tanghalangateneo.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TanghalangAteneo

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TAOfficial_

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/tanghalangateneo

Games People Play

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Games People Play, a Palanca-winning play by Glenn Sevilla Mas features theater actors Abner Delina, Thea Yrastorza and Kalil Almonte. Ed Lacson Jr., who also does the production design, directs it while Teresa Barrozo does the sound and music design.

Games People Play is about three characters who try to understand why they are the way they are by revisiting their childhood, specifically the games that they played with each other.

Each game is a rite of passage and it represents a significant moment in their coming of age. The writing of the play was inspired by this quote from child psychologist and writer Bruno Bettelheim:

“The monster a child knows best and is most concerned with [is] the monster he feels or fears himself to be.”

The production will run from April 22 to 26, 2014, 7:30 PM with a 2:30 PM show on April 26, at the Fine Arts Blackbox Theater, Fine Arts Annex, Ateneo de Manila University.

For ticket inquiries, contact John Yap at 0917-722-5399 or visit www.facebook.com/gppgamespeopleplay for more information.