#9works

"Yesterday I was sitting there watching the front curtains to open. Today, I know what it's like to be behind the curtains, running around the dressing rooms and crossovers, and of course performing in front of the public watching the curtains to open."

Here Right Now made for Facebook Cover Photo. Taken from Kath Uson. 

Each person has an interesting story to tell. Mine relates to what makes this summer all worth. I have tried my best to search for acting workshops since I stepped foot into the Philippines but never had my luck until I discovered 9works Adults Stage Camp. That was also when I plunged into a complete new world-the world of musical theater filled with kangaroos.

I did not grow up with musicals to be perfectly honest. Contemporary rock and indie music dominated my youth and I have never gotten into musicals until in 2011, when I watched Mamma Mia Broadway in NYC. Never did I expect to end in a musical theater workshop until I have heard of the Stage Camp advertised by the Rockwell Club. I was just looking for an acting workshop that would gain my skills back in junior high and high school, when performing several school plays. I suddenly lost confidence and culture as I entered, being in a camp filled with musically-cultured amateurs. I never recalled performing any musical piece in my life, so I would probably consider being a first-timer in the world of musicals.

I found a few similarities between the Stage Camp and my school's theater club. Those include the varied exercises needed to improve our acting, the 'SCHWINGS' (though they were referred as 'FUGES' back in school), post-workshop cast parties, and the family, friend atmosphere between instructors and students, or between students themselves. But I did notice a lot of differences between the two theater workshops I have been to. Back in school, we were all the same age group. In Stage Camp, we were all adults with complete different backgrounds. In school, the club directors were English teachers who taught speech and drama. In Stage Camp, we were taught by experienced actors. In school, we did weekend rehearsals in one of the houses. In Stage Camp, we did everything we could during class and spent our own lives during the weekend. In school, the plays we performed were only for school. In Stage Camp, we performed in front of the larger public including our loved ones and our picked sponsors.

April 16- May 8. Our first three weeks mainly concentrate on the exercises needed to improve our stage performance. They taught us how to work on our expressions, movements and use of space, developed our spontaneity and presence of mind, encouraged us to keep the energy going, and to breathe and relax before letting it all out. We also had our vocals classified under different ranges, while singing our personally-chosen songs. Mine was placed in the soprano range, after singing "That Thing You Do" an octave higher. 

Some of my classmates posing as 'Bambis.' in a Guess-the-Movie-Title exercise. Taken from 9wt Adults Stage Camp Facebook Group. 

May 8-June 1. The remaining four weeks became more intense. We started getting down to business, from production concerns (call-on sponsorships, creation of programmes, ticket sales, fund-raising...) to stage performance numbers (blocking, technical adjustment...). That was also when I discovered my weaknesses, particularly when practicing for my small group number from the Cabaret called 'Two Ladies'. I felt guilty for being picked on (my confession) as well as having those weaknesses that I was born with and had to endure in life. Speaking soft, slow thinking, not enough dynamism, those would not do in the world of performers. I managed to overcome them happily enough, and felt more than proud to perform my number without any minor mistake. :D 

Me performing Two Ladies at RCBC Plaza, Makati, Philippines. With Teena von Einsidel as Girl 2 and Miko Abuan as M.C. Taken from Karyl Factora. 

June 2: Here Right Now, A One Night Only Cabaret. 

This is it! This is when we give into the moment and let go. We have practiced as much as we could and this is the time to finally let ourselves fly. We gave as much power and energy as we could, did not mind any minor mistakes, performed our numbers with our heart and soul, had fun at the same time, and dominated the whole show like the world was ours. We also received our respective certificates that marked how Stage Camp made our summer meaningful. I felt more than lucky being in Stage Camp, and have plans in joining next year. 

Performing 'What Can I Do' with the Doot Doot Girls at RCBC Plaza, Makati, Philippines. Taken from Karyl Factora. 

I truly appreciate what Stage Camp has provided me. It has given me an experience I would never forget, a step closer to my childhood dream in becoming a performer, and has granted my teenage wish to improve my social circle. It has also given me freedom that not even my own house could provide. With Stage Camp, I felt that everything I wanted back then was coming true. 

"Because I knew you, I have been changed for good." (For Good, Wicked)

With the entire Stage Camp Adults Class (otherwise referred as 'Kangaroos'). Taken from Gaby Garcia. 

June 8: Post-workshop Cast Party @ Agave, The Fort. 

Had an awesome night with my Stage Camp kangaroos. Looking forward to more Cast Parties. :) (FB Status)

And there followed a cast party held in a few days. STAGE CAMP FREEBIES, AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS, RANDOM PHOTOSHOOTS, and SEXY SCHWINGS, were just as worth as those NACHOS, QUESADILLAS, and BOTTOMLESS MARGARITAS. I really enjoyed spending this last moment with my fellow 'kangaroos' (I hope not, though...), and am certainly looking forward to more cast parties to come. :)

Oh, and I regret not taking bottomless margaritas like the others. Just realized that a glass of Margarita ain't enough. 

Mexican Cast Party @Agave, The Fort, Taguig, Philippines. Taken from Karyl Factora.