ARTS 10 QUARTER 4

PHILIPPINE-BASED THEATRICAL ART FORMS

Theater arts is a collaborative form of art where live performers act on stage before a group
of audience in a specific place carrying out a story. Live performances like theater plays
demand the expertise and collaboration of each member in the production team as well as
the cast to produce a high-quality performance. One of the best examples of theater plays
is Miss Saigon, where Lea Salonga was selected to play the lead role as Kim.

Theatrical Forms

A. Tragedy. It is a dramatic play portraying the struggle of a strong-willed protagonist

against fate, as predestined by mysterious, divine, social, or psychological forces,
culminating in disaster and usually caused by a flaw in the protagonist’s character.

B. Comedy. It is a dramatic play of light and humorous character, typically with a cheerful
and happy ending.

C. Drama. It is a play that is “for real”. The characters represent realistic and everyday
people.

D. Melodrama. It is a dramatic composition characterized by extravagant theatricality and

the dominance of plot and physical action over characterization.

THE ELEMENTS OF ART AS APPLIED TO AN ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE

1. Sound and Music. These two elements set for the audience different moods and
emotions. Through the use of different sounds, they provide different effects to the play
that heighten the emotions of the characters and the audience. The sound effects also
make the play more realistic and exciting. The use of sound and music in a play entails
the incorporation of sound recording and editing techniques using applications for
computers, tablets and Android phones.

2. Gesture, Movement, and Dance. These are bodily movements or actions that usually
express emotions, character, and narrative actions with accompanying sound or music.
Every single gesture, movement or dance step conveys a meaning or message.

3. Costume, Mask, Makeup, and Accessories. These comprise the visual effects, of
which the main function is to enhance visibility and aesthetic value. They help make the
character appear realistic according to the role he/she portrays.

4. Spectacle. This is something exhibited for view as something unusual, notable, or

entertaining, especially an eye-catching or dramatic public display which may be
regarded as impressive and breathtaking and on stage if visual, lighting, sound, music,
costumes, dance, and special effects are properly manifested in a play.

EXAMPLES OF PHILIPPINE PLAYS

• Sarswela. It is a type of melodrama in three acts where pieces are both spoken and
sung. Aside from being a significant part of the Philippine history, it was also employed
as a tool to fight against colonization.

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• Epic Poetry . Dating back to the pre-colonial period and commonly presented during
festivals and gatherings, it is considered by scholars to be the highest point of Filipino
folk literature. The usual topics are romance and adventure.
• Duplo. It is a poetic debate presented through song and dance originating from
indigenous courtship customs. In this type of play, poets use proverbs and riddles to
present their suit to the woman of their choice.
• Moro Moro. It is one of the most popular types of theater that and depicts the conflicts
between the Moros and the Christians. Themes like love, and vengeance, and religion
predominate.
• Senakulo. It is also known as Passion play. This dramatization of the life and death
of Jesus Christ has been a part of the lives of the Catholics and is celebrated during
Holy Week.
• Traditional Folkdance. It is one of the oldest forms of theater and thus an important
part of our heritage today. These are dances that reflect the lives of the people in a
certain place or region and describe their culture and origin.
• Bodabil. It is Vaudeville of American origin that became uniquely Filipino with the
localization of the name, Bodabil. It is a variety show consisting of musical numbers
and comedic and dramatic skits with songs and dances. It was popularized by Filipino
artists like Dolphy, Anita Linda, and Atang dela Rama.

ELEMENTS OF ART AS APPLIED TO AN ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE

ELEMENTS HOW THESE ELEMENTS AFFECT

THEATRICAL PLAY
Sound and Music These elements help set the mood of the
play. They add suspense and capture the
heart of the viewers. Adding appropriate
sound and music to the play will make it
more meaningful and impactful such that it
will be remembered by the viewers.
Gesture, Movement, and Dance These elements help in communicating the
message to the viewers through the use of
proper movement, gesture and dance. The
role of the artist can be easily recognized
through these elements.
Costume, Mask, Makeup and Accessories These elements contribute to the
characterization of each performer. They
add realism to the play and make the artists
convincing in their roles. It is also one way
of showcasing the local culture or the culture
found in the world of the play.
Spectacle This element helps in making the play more
visually pleasing. This element is also useful
in letting the audience have a more defined
sensory experience.

These elements of art are indispensable factors that affect the overall impact of a
play. Aside from these elements, there are also principles of arts that an artist needs
to consider in order to come up with a captivating play that is worth watching.

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PRINCIPLES OF ART AS APPLIED TO AN ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE

1. Rhythm, Movement. This principle guides the directors and other production staff of
the play on the proper use of music and movement. These elements should contribute
in setting the mood and tone of the play and the scenes.
2. Balance. This principle guides the director on how to achieve the proper balance and
composition in terms of stage blockings, props, backdrops, costume and set
design/set pieces. This will also guide the production staff in setting the right
perspective of the play.
3. Emphasis. This principle guides the director on which part of the play should be
emphasized This will help in communicating to the audience the theme of the play.
4. Harmony, Unity and Variety. These principles guide the director on how to put the
elements of arts like set design, costumes, spectacle, etc. in harmony. These
elements should complement each other and also have variation to create a
spectacular visual impact on the play.
5. Proportion. This principle guides the director as to how to make the play more realistic
or stylized through proper use of space, height, width and sizes of the elements or
materials to be used in the play.

DIFFERENT ROLES IN PLAY PRODUCTION

Role of a Character as an Actor/Performer, or Production staff. Producing a theatre play

or movie is not a simple job. The complexity of it is undeniably present which requires people
to perform different tasks. Aside from the actors who take the center stage, much of the work
is being done behind the scenes, and these people are called the production team. Let us
look at the different roles of the members of the production team.

PRODUCER. One of the main roles of a producer is to oversee the overall aspects of the
production. He or she is responsible to the financial and managerial functions of the
production. The producer provides financial backing to the production or invites investors to
pour in financing, and hires the creative staffs like the director, writers, choreographer, and
composer. Though the casting of actors is a job for the director, a producer has the power
of casting approval. A producer acts like a bridge to connect financing or business in the
realization of the playwright’s vision. However, in school setting, the teacher, or the school
itself acts as the producer.

DIRECTOR. The director provides the overall vision and guidance of a performance,
ensuring that all elements are unified, and that production runs smoothly. The director works
closely with the design and production teams and sometimes with the playwright to hone the
vision and define the production schedule. He or she ensures that all elements are executed
perfectly and that everyone in the production are in tune with his/her artistic vision to create
a great impact in the audience. The director guides and instructs the actors in all the phases
of rehearsals.

PLAYWRIGHT. The playwright develops the concepts and puts them into script plays. The
script forms the basis of the entire production. It contains the narrative through dialogues,
and it may also have the description of settings, sounds, mood, lights, costumes, and
makeup of the characters.

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PRODUCTION MANAGER. The production manager is tasked in overseeing the crews for
the sets and props, the sound and music, the lighting, and the costumes. He or she manages
the behind-the-scenes of the production.

SET DESIGNER. He/she designs and supervises the construction of the set (or sets) that
will be the physical world of the play’s characters. The set and set pieces may be realistic,
but it can be done in other styles such as minimalism or whimsical. The set designer may
use a variety of materials like backdrops, theater flats, curtains/drapes, or LED screens. The
set designer must work with the director to note the flow of action to create a suitable ground
plan for the actors to move around in.

LIGHTING DESIGNER. As a lighting designer, he/she uses colored lights or filters, as well
as special effects such as increasing or lowering the brightness of light, creating flickering
effects, and synchs them to create the mood and atmosphere. The lighting designer plans
all these and adds detailed notes on the script for the lighting crew to follow during rehearsals
and the actual performance.

COSTUME DESIGNER. The task of a costume designer is to create the actors’ costumes
or outfits that are suitable to their characters. The costume designer looks into the time and
setting of the script to make the look of the characters more believable. He or she also takes
consideration the personality of each character to achieve authenticity in the delivery of
script. The costumes maybe sewn, hand-made, or assembled to create the characters’
depiction in the script.

SOUND DESIGNER. Like the lighting designer, a sound designer serves a vital role in
creating and enhancing the atmosphere of the performance. He or she is responsible in
incorporating sound effects to create the right balance of sound, the tempo, and overall effect
of the production.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR. The technical director oversees all the instructions relating to
lighting and sounds. During the technical rehearsals, the technical director notes all the cues,
errors, and other issues to iron them out before the actual production.

STAGE MANAGER. The stage manager oversees all the director’s instructions- from
costumes to make up, and from set to the actors and actresses. Also, the stage manager
notes all the director’s instructions in his/her script so that in the absence of the director,
he/she can supervise the rehearsals. He/she also checks the attendance and punctuality of
the actors.

CHOREOGRAPHER. The choreographer is responsible with the dance steps that are
suitable for the dance numbers of the production. In case there are fight scenes, he or she
will choreograph the scenes in accordance with the director’s vision and ensure safety for
the actors and actresses.

MAKEUP DESIGNER. The makeup designer works closely with the costume designer to
achieve a suitable look. The makeup designer makes the actors look real and believable
based on their emotions, age, personality as well as the time and place of the events of the
play. In some cases, a makeup designer may use prosthetics, wigs, masks, and other
accessories to alter and suit the character’s role.

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Take note that an entire production also involves the business aspect as we mentioned
earlier in the role a producer. There are many other possible roles/tasks but sometimes, in
a school production where manpower is limited, a few people might do multiple tasks. A few
of these tasks include publicity, marketing, box-office, front-of-house duties, and ushering.

VISUAL COMPONENTS OF STAGE PLAY

The visual elements of a play are things that appeal and give a sensory experience to the
audience such as the stage setting, lighting, costume, and props. It may also include the
composition and physical relationship of the performers on stage and with the audience
through striking displays and spectacle.

STAGE SETTINGS. Stage setting is used to create an environment that will bring the script
to life. It includes the use of composition in art such as line, mass, color, form, and unity that
allows the movements of the performers in space. A stage setting or scenic design includes
the drawing elements such as basic ground plan where the static scenic elements are
placed, the composite ground plan where the moving scenic elements are placed, section
of the stage space, and the front elevations. Scenic designers use models before the final
drawings that are needed to be made or constructed.

LIGHTING DESIGN. The lighting design is as important as the stage settings since it
contributes to the the overall mood of the performance. The functions of light in play include
mood and illusion, structure and rhythm, and lighting motivation. Each function plays
differently in its own way.

COSTUME DESIGN. The costume used by the performers helps convey meanings, time
periods and historical context. It shows vital scenes and the relationship between people,
showing, a particular period, weather, or location of the scene; revealing the characters
portrayed by the performers.

PROPERTIES/PROPS. The properties of a play include the stage props and hand props
that are used as part of the scene setting. The stage props may include jar, lampshades,
furniture, pictures, chairs, and tables, and many more. Hand props, on the other hand,
include ballpen, glasses, cup, pencils, cigarettes, and others. Properties are essential to
convey a scene’s objectives and to aid the actors in communicating a scene

CHOREOGRAPHY IN A STAGE PERFORMANCE

Choreography – is the art of creating dance patterns and movements to form a dance
routine.
Elements of Choreography
1. Body – A dancer’s important medium is the different parts of the body such as the
arms and head in creating forms, lines and shapes to express emotions.
2. Action/Movement – This is any movement or action of a dancer like facial
expressions, gestures, and pauses. It can be done in one place or done as the body
moves through space, locomotor or non-locomotor. Examples are stepping, walking
and jumping.
3. Time – It refers to a dance’s rhythm, pulse, speed, and cut short of movements. A
dance performance has its beginning and end. Example: use of slow, quick, quick and
slow movements
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4. Energy – It describes how a dancer is moving. It helps the audience to identify the
emotions and intentions of a dancer. For example, a dancer may move forcefully,
gracefully, softy, smoothly or energetically.

Energy includes the following:

• Force – This is the power in which a dancer performs a routine. Example: strong to
light movement
• Flow – This is the energy used by the dancer to perform a movement. Example:
controlled movement or free movement

5. Space – This refers to the area where a dancer performs and how he or she moves
through the area. Example: A dancer uses space in a variety of ways. He or she can
move straight, diagonally, curved, forward or backward.

Space includes the following:

• Placement – It is where a dancer’s body is positioned on stage.
• Formation – This is the area where a group of dancers occupies.
• Focus – This is where a dancer is looking.
• Direction/Pathway – It is where a dancer shall move.
• Level – Movements can be performed at different levels. As the level of movement
changes, the body creates different effects.

Elements of Choreography that Add Complexity

1. Repetition – This is repeating the steps or patterns and movements.
2. Transitions – These are movements that connect a step to another step.
3. Contrast – It is the use of different steps or patterns.
4. Sequence – This refers to the flow or order of steps or patterns in a dance.

Things to Consider in a Stage Performance

1. Use varied dance steps to keep the audience engaged.
2. Execute properly the movements.
3. Use rhythm to change movements, when meant to be fast or slow.
4. Use movement to emphasize elements in music.
5. Use space properly in a dance area. Do not just stay in the middle of the stage; use
the different areas or the space of the stage either upstage or downstage.
6. Memorize steps by practicing multiple times.
7. Dance with feelings and interpret the music.
8. Have fun and enjoy while performing.

FAMOUS FILIPINO PERFORMERS

Lea Salonga is a Filipino singer and actress who is best known for her roles in musical
theater, for being the singing voice of two Disney princesses, and as a recording artist and
television performer.
She began her career as a child star in the Philippines, making her professional debut in
1978 at the age of seven in the musical, The King and I. She passed the audition for Miss
Saigon which led her to conquer the world stage and made all Filipinos proud. She also went
on to star in the production of Annie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Fiddler on the Roof, The Rose

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Tatto, The Sound of Music, The Goodbye Girl, Paper Moon, The Fantasticks and Rodgers
and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song on Broadway. Lea Salonga has several projects here
and abroad. Summary of her works are as follows:
Solo recordings
• Small Voice (1981)
• Lea (1988)
• Lea Salonga (1993)
• I'd Like to Teach The World to Sing (1997)
• Lea... In Love (1998)
• By Heart (1999)
• Lea Salonga: The Christmas Album (2000)
• Songs from the Screen (2001)
• Inspired (2007)
• Lea Salonga: Your Songs (2010)[148]
• Bahaghari [Rainbow]: Lea Salonga Sings Traditional Songs of the Philippines (2017)

Cast recordings
• Miss Saigon (Original London Cast Recording) (1990)
• Little Tramp (Studio Recording) (1992)
• The King and I (Hollywood Studio Cast Recording) (1992)
• Aladdin (Soundtrack Recording) (1992)
• Mulan (Soundtrack Recording) (1998)
• Making Tracks (Original Cast Recording) (2001)
• Flower Drum Song (Revival Cast Recording) (2002)
• Mulan II (Soundtrack Recording) (2005)
• Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia (Soundtrack Recording) (2008)
• Cinderella (Original International Tour Cast Recording) (2010)
• Allegiance (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (2016)
• Once on This Island (First Broadway Revival Cast Recording) (2018)

Video/Live recordings
• Hey Mr. Producer: The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh (1997)
• Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in Concert (1995)
• Lea Salonga Live Vol. 1 (2000)
• Lea Salonga Live Vol. 2 (2000)
• The Broadway Concert (2002)
• Songs from Home: Live Concert Recording (2004)
• Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary (2010)
• The Journey So Far – Recorded Live at Cafe Carlyle (2011)
• Live: Jazz at Lincoln Center (2016)
• Blurred Lines (2017)
• The Story of My Life: Lea Salonga Live from Manila (2019) with the BYU Chamber Orchestra
• Lea Salonga in Concert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (2020)

She was the first Asian to play Eponine in the musical Les Misérables on Broadway and
returned to the beloved show as Fantine in the 2006 revival. She portrayed the role of
Princess Jasmine from Aladdin and Fa Mulan for Mulan and Mulan II. Because of her
portrayal on the role of beloved princesses, the Walt Disney Company bestowed her with
the honor of “Disney Legend”.

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She is a multi-awarded singer and actress. She is known across the world for her powerful
voice and perfect pitch. Some of her International awards are Laurence Olivier Award for
Best Actress in a Musical (1990), Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical (1991),
The Drama Desk Award for Best Actress in a Musical (1993), the Outer Critics Circle Award
for Outstanding Actress (1999) and Theater World Award (2001) in a Musical for her previous
role in Miss Saigon. She also received the BroadwayWorld.com Award for Best Leading
Actress in a Musical (2015) for her role as Kei Kimura in Allegiance and a whole lot more for
both international and local award-giving bodies.
She is not just a great performer, she is also a person with pure heart for she donated all the
profits of her single “Dream Again” to charities aiding in COVID-19 relief around the world,
including The Actor’s Fund.

El Gamma Penumbra is a Filipino all-male shadow playgroup from Tanauan, Batangas.

This was founded in the year 2008 as a hip-hop boy group who participated in several dance
competitions in their hometown and other nearby places. They joined the Pilipinas Got Talent
and decided to do shadow play since hip hop dancing is very common. For the new venture,
they had undergone a lot of practice since they didn’t have the equipment needed. But their
determination and hard work paid off when they were judged as the first shadow play group
to advance in the grand finals because of their outstanding performance during the
semifinals. They emerged as the fourth placer in the said talent show which opened a lot of
opportunities to them. They also became regular guests in the noontime show, It’s
Showtime!
On September 28, 2014, they tried their luck in joining the first “Asia’s Got Talent” which was
held in Singapore. They attended the pre-audition at the SMX Convention Center in Mall of
Asia and had luckily advanced to the televised audition held in Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia
Studio in Johor, Malaysia. They eventually advanced to the Semifinals after receiving the
golden buzzer from judge Anggun, an Indonesian artist. Their performance in the Semi-Final
earned another golden buzzer from the four judges, enabling them to automatically take a
spot in the grand finals. They emerged as the first “Asia’s Got Talent” Grand Winner.

The Tawag ng Tanghalan Boys popularly known as the TNT Boys is a Filipino boy band
composing of three teen artists who were finalists in Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids edition
contest in 2017. Keifer Sanchez was the first runner-up, Mackie Empuerto in third place and
Francis Concepcion in fifth place. Vice Ganda is credited for unintentionally forming this trio
when he requested them to have their rendition of the song, “Listen”, in his show Gandang
Gabi Vice which became viral.
At a very young age, they had already performed here and abroad and received numerous
awards. In 2018, the group was the receipient of Rawr Awards - Royal Club Awardee and
PPOP Young Artist Award - Rising Pop Child Performer of the Year. In 2019, they received
Wish Music Awards: Breaking Boundaries – Breaking Boundaries Award; Push Awards -
Push Newcomer of the Year Nominee and Push Music Performance of the Year “TNT Boys
as Bee Gees – “Too Much Heaven”; 50th Mendoza Box Office Entertainment Awards –
Promising Male Concert Performers of the Year; National Costumers’ Choice Annual Awards
– Concert Performer of the Year, Concert of the Year – Listen: The Bigshot Concert, Gilden
Laurel Media Awards - Breakthrough Music Artist of the Year; Aral Parangal – Artist of the
Year; Best Choice Achievement Awards - Concert Performer of the Year; Awit Awards –
Favorite Group Artists; Alta Media Icon Awards – Best Child Performers for TV, and for 2020,
they were awarded by the 11th PMPC Star Awards for Music as the Group Artist of the Year.