Lesson 3: Performing Arts

THEATER

DAVID ERICSON P. BAUTISTA

• An ultimate art since it is a
collaborative art form that
combines the various disciplines
of art such as literature, visual
arts, music, and dance.
• Lea Salonga, Tony Perez, Audie
Gemora, and Rene Villanueva as
Philippine World class theater
artist and playwrights.
• The development of
contemporary theater art in the
Philippines and the other
performing art that been
discussed are reflect and suit the
current state of the Filipino
psyche, resulting in a theater
that we can call our own.
 Indigenous theater
• came in the form of rituals and
was often combined and
accompanied with music and
dance. (chanting and tribal
dance)
• It was headed by priests or
priestess who leads community
in its ceremonies.
• Theater today are introduced by
Spanish colonization
• Spread Christianity, retelling of
the stories of the different event,
Filipino Indigenous Peoples’ Cultural figures, and personalities in the
Heritage, Stories Inspire in DFA Bible.
Independence Day Concert
Sarswelas (1880’s) and
dramas
• Popular form of
entertainment for the
Filipinos that showcased
love stories of upper
class peppered with
comedic situation.
• Theater around this time
tells stories about the
struggles of everyday
life
• Realistic view of the lives
of ordinary Filipino.
American Colonization
• Stage show or bodabil
which the precursor of
the modern day variety
show.
• Introduction of the
study and appreciation
of plays through the
educational system.
(Productions of
Shakespearean Plays,
Broadway musical, and
other western theater
classic).
CONTEMPORARY
THEATER FORMS
Absurd (from the west)
• genre of modern play that
deliberately exaggerates the
events and situations to
emphasize a point.
• Characters are made stereotypes
EXAMPLES
Ang paghihintay kay Godot (1967,
Ateneo de Manila)by Samuel
Beckett
Ang Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio
(1968)
Isagani R Cruz’s Kasal (1980)
Stage Show (Fiesta and
TV Variety Show)
• Bodabil is a theatrical
presentation of various
acts and performance
such as; Comedy skits,
circus acts, musical and
dance numbers,
acrobatics, and magic
shows.
Brechtian Theater (MTS, epic
theater)
• Bertolt Bretch (1898-1956) proposition that the
audience should not emotionally identify with
the characters or action on stage but instead
stimulate self-reflection and critical analysis of
the events unfolding the play.
• Let the audience recognized the injustice
presented and awaken change in the society.
Examples:
Mother Courage and Her Children (1968) First
Brechtian-inspired play in the Philippines.
May Katwiran ang Katwiran (1972)
Mayo A-beinte Uno atbp. Kabanata (1977)
Batang Rizal (2006)
Children’s Theater
• Performed by children or by
adults for children
• Intended to educate, inspire
and encouraged creativity and
value information.
• Used folktales and legends.
Examples:
Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang
Trumpets Playshop (that retell
children’s fairy tales)
Melodrama
• Nonmusical play that is intended
to elicit tears and emotional
attachment to the characters
• Main characters are often victims
of tragedies and suffer cruelty
from the people around them but
in the end will rise triumphantly.
• It is regularly seen on television

Examples:
Si Sarah, Ang Munting Prinsesa
Pangako Sayo
Doble Kara
Mirabella
Dramatic Monologue
• Is a type of play wherein an
individual actor speaks and
acts out the character’s
thoughts and emotions.
• This one person
performance is often used
for the audience to better
understand a main
character. Paul Cedrick Juan as Dusyanta in “Sakuntala”

Examples:
• Antiporda (1974)
• Taong Grasa (1985)
Tula-dula (play poem)
(1970)
• Was developed by University of the
Philippines
• It is a minimalist in attack wherein a
poem is dramatized by a narrator
who recites the piece and two or
three actors provide the movement
and sound effects.
Examples:
• Ang mga Kagila-gilalas na
Pakikipagsapalaran ni Juan de la
Cruz by Jose F. Labaca – first tula-
dula
Political Theater
• Intended to transform and improve the current system of government.
Direct to the point, symbolism and allegory (seditious play) to air their political
views are being used in Political theater or called symbolic drama that are
sensitive content to mask its rebellious tendencies. These plays are quite risky
since theaters were these plays staged were closed, and the performers and
production members can be arrested and charged with treason. (Democracy
Period (American Colonization) and Martial Law era of Marcos regime.)
Examples:
• Ang Tao …. Hayop o Tao? (1975) by Nanding Josef
• Pagsambang Bayan (1984) by Bonifacio Ilagan
Political Theater
Street Theater- ethic and cultural rituals
are being acted in streets or in
contemporary theater it is called protest
plays staged in the street by activist during
rallies, stikes and marches. (Protest song,
skits and dramatization)
Examples:
• Siak sa Duga ka Damgo (Crack in
Two Dreams) (1992) by Kaliwat
Theater Collective in Davao
• Looking for land that can be source
of livelihood (income and gold)
• DH or Domestic Helper (1933) by
Ricardo Lee.
• Poverty and lack of employment
opportunities force Filipinos to look
for work abroad as domestic helper.
Musical Theater
(sarswela and
ritualistic dramas)
• Music is Essential part of
the production.
• Most popular form of
theater because Filipinos
too much love for music.
Examples:
• Rak of Aegis (Aegis
Inspired)
• 3 Stars and a Sun (Francis
Magalona)
Realism (World War II)
• Is a type of drama that
provides an accurate
depiction of real-life
situations.
• Well-developed and authentic
portrayal of character,
realistic plot, dialogue, and
staging are important role to
play this kind of theater.
Examples:
• The Glass Menagerie
originally by Tennessee
Williams and translated and
directed by Ronaldo Tinio in
1966
• Francisco Maniago by Paul
Dumol in 1987