Write your own play: Join this workshop with the creator of 'Mula sa Buwan'
Now is the time to start your playwriting journey.
Pat Valera, the creator and playwright of hit musicals Mula sa Buwan and Bar Boys: A New Musical, is set to organize a workshop designed to teach you all the ropes!
Titled "Stage Speak," the six-session workshop will introduce you to the craft while uncovering the unique language of the stage and the art of theatrical storytelling.
You'll also gain insights on the foundations of theatre such as its history, philosophy, and collaborative nature.
While the workshop is ideal for early-stage playwrights and theater practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of the text, it is also suitable for theater enthusiasts and fans who want to explore theatre deeply.
Keep in mind, however, that you must be 18 years or older to sign up and must be proficient in both English and Filipino.
As an introductory course, you won’t be required to write a full play. Instead, participants will start with an idea, which they can grow and develop through lectures and workshops throughout the session.
At the end of the course, each participant will have a one-on-one consultation with Valera to discuss their idea and outline.
Below are the details of what you'll discuss throughout the workshop:
- DAY 1: STORYTELLING (Explore the many ways to tell a story—and what makes the stage distinct)
- DAY 2: MEANING-MAKING IN THEATER (How is meaning created in theater? Why does it start with text and evolve through collaboration?)
- DAY 3: CHARACTER (Explore how to develop dynamic, engaging characters that drive the action on stage)
- DAY 4: PLOT (The heart of drama is conflict. What are the structures to follow—and break?)
- DAY 5: BEGIN AGAIN (With your idea and outline in hand, what bold choices will move your work forward?)
- DAY 6: ROUND TABLE & GET-TOGETHER (Engage with industry practitioners and fellow students from both classes)
- ONLINE CONSULTATION (A one-on-one session to discuss and refine your idea and outline)
"Stage Speak," organized by ideas exchange hub Local Parts, will take place for six days from Feb. 24 to March 8 at the Sikat Studios in Tomas Morato in Quezon City. You can take part in the workshop for P15,000.
If you're all set on learning about playwriting, you can register through this link.
A two-time Palanca awardee, Valera is a full-time theater artist and a co-founder of Barefoot Theatre Collaborative. In recent years, his company has produced original Filipino works and an international musical, to critical acclaim and box-office success.
He has received awards from prestigious organizations such as the Palanca Awards, Gawad Buhay Awards, Aliw Awards, and the Asian TV Awards.
