The Department of Performing Arts (DPeA) of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) launches the DPEA Creative Performance Lab (DPeA CPL). Headed by its regular faculty member Victor Deseo, DPeA CPL aims to serve as a space for exploring creative works utilizing performance-as-research methodologies for the department’s students and faculty members. Through exploration of untested works such as devised works, adaptations, new plays, experimental theatre, and post-dramatic performances, DPeA CPL establishes and intensifies the department’s “ways of doing” performances.
The first laboratory work of DPeA CPL, CPL 1, seeks to discover the art of devised theatre and creative collaboration by utilizing devising as a methodology for rehearsals leading to the staging of Liza Magtoto’s Carlos Palanca Award-winning play “Agnoia” which is an adaptation of Eli Guieb III’s short story “Horoscope”.
“Agnoia” is a story that tells how each of the zodiac signs would behave if they were people; complete with relationships, personalities, and problems, with the 11 signs (without Aries) hoping to find clarity between all the blur and ignorance they experience in their lives. This play tells a story of love, loss, and longing, all tenderly mixed in the comfort of relationships.
With Aries on his deathbed, Cancer recollects with their children Scorpio and Pisces, whose relationships with Aquarius and Taurus respectively had taken a sour turn. Taurus and their friends Gemini and Capricorn argue about breakups with the latter knowing full well that Libra’s gender awakening led them to break up with Gemini only to end up with Capricorn. Sagittarius, Capricorn’s younger brother, clings to understand his girlfriend, Virgo’s, detachment towards him, and Leo talks to his dead wife about his seemingly unethical relationship with a young student of his, Virgo.
The cast are composed of PUP DPeA’s undergraduate students Larra Nicavera, Catherine Grace, Novelyn Nalic, Agustin Taban-ud, Sean Jemerry Obico, Jules Obaña, Paul Cariaga, Zedrin Calderon, Collins Catubig, Fernando Pabeloña, Frances Akol, Aira Lovelle Conzon, Kelly Burcia, Dahyll Marinduque, Krishan Soliman, and Lawrence Ojeda.
As a student-led performance laboratory, the cast and staff are composed of PUP DPeA’s undergraduate students from the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Major in Theater Arts) program. This also immerses the students to different areas of performance creation such technical theatre and design, dramaturgy, stage direction, theatre management, and performance.
The lab’s pioneer Victor Deseo serves as the director of the production alongside with John Leonard Evangelista and Criselle Fernando as his assistant directors. Strengthening the department’s dramaturgical work, Agustin Jose Taban-ud heads the dramaturgy team with Danica Layne Reyes as the associate. Erika Mae Garcia leads the team as the head production manager and Mico Cayabyab as the head stage manager.
PUP DPeA CPL’s Agnoia will be free for all audiences in the Tanghalang PUP, College of Communication Building, from March 13 to March 15, 2024. Stay updated by following the DPeA CPL’s Facebook Page.
