Ironing out theater world’s ‘wrinkles’

We were shooting the breeze with some of the country’s best veteran theater people last month, and the talk got around to what they wanted most to change about the way things are.

We’re throwing the issues they raised out there in the hope that some of them stick in our consciousness, and make us realize that the local theater situation is not as hunky-dory as we may think:

First, the continuing problem of colonial mentality (preferring “Broadway” instead of Filipino musicals) still needs to be acknowledged, addressed and resolved.

For example, a big performing venue says it supports the development of Filipino theater performers—but, it continues to present foreign musicals! Even the CCP occasionally showcases foreign musical productions like the imminent staging of “Wicked.”

Next, veteran theater people rue the fact that many younger actors dismiss them as “history” and thus completely irrelevant to what’s “happening.”

They forget that veteran artists set the stage for what they’re enjoying now—and that, if the “oldies” didn’t make sacrifices early on, today’s theater scene would be very different, indeed!

It’s a situation that needs to be changed, so that everyone feels more artistically connected, and the different generations are united in attaining the same ultimate objectives.

Experienced theater people are similarly turned off by the many actors who cynically regard performing as a “racket,” instead of profession or avocation.

Also a big downer is some theater people’s viciously cliquish attitude, prompting them to cut down the competition, and boosting only their friends and mutual back-scratchers. Instead of being so exclusive and self-protective, let a hundred artistic flowers bloom!