September 15, 2012 at 7 pm in CAP Auditorium in Davao City.
See you there.
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Showing posts with label Philippine Theater. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philippine Theater. Show all posts
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
A Glimpse at Davao City's Theater Organizations - Why They Hardly Survive and Thrive
by Jared Okri
Davao City is undoubtedly a haven of emerging artists. Performing arts groups - whether formed out of friendship or formally established have been sprouting recently. These groups come and go; are able to produce one production or two at most. And, as always, most of these groups and organizations don't see the dawning of another production.
Let's tak about registered theater organizations. A lot of actors are to be considered in giving conclusion to their early demise. Primarily, there is a scare financial backing. Putting up a simple theater production is no easy task. The cost of an average theater production (with hefty performance space rentals and all the technical and manpower requirements) would cost around 80,000.00 Pesos on the average and finding funds for these productions is like pushing a camel through a needle's hole, so to speak.
Another viable reason why it's hard for theater organizations to survive in Davao City is lack of support from the government sector. Speaking from past experiences, a government official would aptly support socio-civic projects than extend generosity to theater play productions. There are few names that can be considered as "patrons of theater plays". Unfortunately, their generosity would be limited to just a single production. After such, they wil bid goodbye to being 'patrons' of the thespians. Hardly do I know of a local performing arts council that nurtures theater organizations. If there's any, please inform me.
Most theater productions, to be able to survive, would rely on sponsorships. Unfortunately, when a local theater organization pitches a proposal for sponsorship, it is easily turned down simply because it's not known or hasn't produced big productions. After this goes back to how can a self-sustaining theater organization produce high-quality productions without financial aid/grant? It is also a sad fact that when national celebrities are brought to the city, almost all of these companies and establishments would go gaga in volunteering to sponsor such events, while our local theater organizations are dying on the side. The harsh reality of discrimination is an almost always on the front when these small local theater organizations are against these big, well-established productions heralding these national celebrities.
Don't these theater productions sell tickets? They do. Unfortunately, the lack of theater play goers to watch and appreciate theater productions is almost always the reason for plummeting ticket sales. Theater productions like plays and musicals are expensive to mount. But prices are kept low allowing public to watch and enjoy these productions, thus affecting the ticket sales revenue. It is also a fact that only a meager percentage of Dabawenyos appreciates theater plays and musicals. It must have come from the fact that art appreciations is not well rooted in our culture. Or shall I say the more dominant performing arts culture flourishing in our city is the ethnic culture, leaving mainstream theater productions as minority.
With all these problems at hand, why are theater organizations pushing it real hard to mount productions? The answer to this question vary from one theater group to another.Some theater companies do it for advocacy while others do it for profit. Voiceworks Theater Company, Inc. (VCTI) - http://www.vtci.weebly.com for one, strives to promote the development of theater and musical theater in Davao City, providing avenue for emerging actors and theater practitioners to hone their craft, with a bigger goal of "inspiring young people to achieve discipline and excellence in life through performing arts. Voiceworks is established not just to teach people how to sing, dance, or act. VCTI envisions to teach everyone to dream, to offer hope, to present opportunities for change, to give direction and lead people to discover their purposes, to encourage a lifestyle of excellence and service, and build a community that is sincerely concerned of the welfare of this country.
Theater organizations like Voiceworks Theater company, Inc. whose aim is for the betterment of the youth and the society needs support in all forms for it to survive and thrive specially during these times of economic crisis. Government and private sectors alike can impact in helping theater organizations to flourish in Davao City. Patrons and matrons can be prime movers in teaching appreciation for theater plays. Classroom activities specifically designed for art appreciation like going to a theater play will help theater productions to flourish.
All these and more can greatly help our city's theater organizations to survive, thrive and continue to produce theater productions that are relevant, shakers, movers and agents of social change. Whether you're a government oficial, a leader of an organization, a business owner or just an overage individual: YOU CAN HELP!
Author's Note: Share this article and help stir awareness on theater play appreciation in our community. - This article is one of ten articles on THE IMPORTANCE OF THEATER PLAYS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
Most theater productions, to be able to survive, would rely on sponsorships. Unfortunately, when a local theater organization pitches a proposal for sponsorship, it is easily turned down simply because it's not known or hasn't produced big productions. After this goes back to how can a self-sustaining theater organization produce high-quality productions without financial aid/grant? It is also a sad fact that when national celebrities are brought to the city, almost all of these companies and establishments would go gaga in volunteering to sponsor such events, while our local theater organizations are dying on the side. The harsh reality of discrimination is an almost always on the front when these small local theater organizations are against these big, well-established productions heralding these national celebrities.
Don't these theater productions sell tickets? They do. Unfortunately, the lack of theater play goers to watch and appreciate theater productions is almost always the reason for plummeting ticket sales. Theater productions like plays and musicals are expensive to mount. But prices are kept low allowing public to watch and enjoy these productions, thus affecting the ticket sales revenue. It is also a fact that only a meager percentage of Dabawenyos appreciates theater plays and musicals. It must have come from the fact that art appreciations is not well rooted in our culture. Or shall I say the more dominant performing arts culture flourishing in our city is the ethnic culture, leaving mainstream theater productions as minority.
With all these problems at hand, why are theater organizations pushing it real hard to mount productions? The answer to this question vary from one theater group to another.Some theater companies do it for advocacy while others do it for profit. Voiceworks Theater Company, Inc. (VCTI) - http://www.vtci.weebly.com for one, strives to promote the development of theater and musical theater in Davao City, providing avenue for emerging actors and theater practitioners to hone their craft, with a bigger goal of "inspiring young people to achieve discipline and excellence in life through performing arts. Voiceworks is established not just to teach people how to sing, dance, or act. VCTI envisions to teach everyone to dream, to offer hope, to present opportunities for change, to give direction and lead people to discover their purposes, to encourage a lifestyle of excellence and service, and build a community that is sincerely concerned of the welfare of this country.
Theater organizations like Voiceworks Theater company, Inc. whose aim is for the betterment of the youth and the society needs support in all forms for it to survive and thrive specially during these times of economic crisis. Government and private sectors alike can impact in helping theater organizations to flourish in Davao City. Patrons and matrons can be prime movers in teaching appreciation for theater plays. Classroom activities specifically designed for art appreciation like going to a theater play will help theater productions to flourish.
All these and more can greatly help our city's theater organizations to survive, thrive and continue to produce theater productions that are relevant, shakers, movers and agents of social change. Whether you're a government oficial, a leader of an organization, a business owner or just an overage individual: YOU CAN HELP!
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Author's Note: Share this article and help stir awareness on theater play appreciation in our community. - This article is one of ten articles on THE IMPORTANCE OF THEATER PLAYS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
Monday, June 18, 2012
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