Gantimpala Theater opens Summer Drama Workshop

Gantimpala Theater announces the opening of its 34TH Summer Drama Workshop which begins on April 25, 2011. With twenty (20) sessions plus a culminating recital on May 28, 2011, workshoppers will learn basic acting and acting for musical theater.

In basic acting, participants will learn practical application of stage acting with lectures and actual exercises on concentration, spontaneity, improvisation, confidence, body and voice preparation, eight basic efforts, characterization and script analysis.

The acting for musical theater teaches creative drama, music, voice and dance exercises that will help participants to perform in a musical production.

Gantimpala Theater was one of the original artistic companies’ of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). During its more than two decade residency at the CCP, it produced “untried and untested” plays that were winners of the CCP Playwriting Contest. These plays delighted the public, were the talk of town, earned considerably at the box-office, received critical acclaim and became the benchmark of excellent Filipino theater. Producing these plays was considered valuable to the development and enrichment of Philippine dramaturgy.

After the EDSA Revolution, it became a self sustaining theater company with a whole year season of the Four Classics – Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, Ibong Adarna and Florante at Laura; the National Artist Production Series; original Filipino children’s musicals and contemporary English plays.

Artistic Director Tony Espejo says, “What I found most rewarding about our annual summer workshop is witnessing the process of transformation happening to the workshoppers. From shy and inhibited young boys and girls, to one who can deliver a punch line, sing a tune, work out dance steps. They are initially strangers who have become friends in such a short time and their creative juices seem to be coming from a bottom less well.  I sincerely hope that we have instilled a love and respect for theater with them.”  

Main facilitator is award winning actor and singer Roeder Camañag, with guest lecturers. Workshop classes are every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 1-5p.m. It is open for teens and young adults Tuition fee is P5,000.  Interested workshoppers must bring a close-up photo (2x2).  Enrollment begins on March 14 (Monday).

Gantimpala Theater is located at the 2nd Floor, Open Air Auditorium Building, located inside the Rizal Park. For more information, call (632) 528-0603, (632) 536-5860 or send an SMS to +63921-5286308 or visit: www.gantimpalatheater.multiply.com or www.facebook.com/gantimpala.