The National Committee on Dramatic Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is launching the 16th Tanghal University and Community-based Theatre Festival from February 14 to 26 online in time for the National Arts Month celebration.
Collaboration has always been the nature of theatre works in the Philippines especially before the outbreak of the pandemic.
However, the pandemic has created an atmosphere were face-to-face encounter with co-actors and crew and audiences had to be contained and stopped for almost two years.
Engaging themselves in the use of digital platforms, theater artists are also challenged to launch and heighten into new realities the conduct of more collaborative works.
With this, 72 theatre organizations are rendering performances that aim to showcase creative ways of responding to the current pandemic, natural calamities and other social challenges.
In line with this year’s theme “Sining ng Pag-asa: Theatre Beyond Borders Amidst All Social and Environmental Challenges,” the performances are clustered into three sub-themes: Essential of Theatre in Community Life on February 14 and 18; Making Theatre for Climate Justice on February 18 and 21; and Culture and Human Rights on February 23 and 25.
On February 26, the festival culminates with collaborative theatre performances among the regional networks.
The 16th Tanghal is hosted by Lusong Arts and Culture Network together with the Arts Research and Training Institute in Southern Tagalog Incorporated (ARTIST Inc.), with the help of their regional partner organizations, namely Pasundayag Theater Company of Mindanao, YATTA of Visayas, Linang Arts and Culture Network Inc. in Luzon and Guro ng Sining, Inc. of the National Capitol region.
Mr. Edward Perez spearheads this event with the support of the NCCA – Committee on Dramatic Arts Head Dr. Felimon Blanco.
This flagship project of NCCA intends to underscore the role of arts in improving the lives of the communities in the Philippines. All performances may be viewed at facebook.com/ARTISTIncPH.
For inquiries, you may contact the 16th TANGHAL Secretariat at [email protected] or call Ms. Sovie Vallejos at 09672967699. You may also visit the ARTIST Center at Sampaguita cor. Rosal Sts, Carbern Ville, Anos, Los Banos, Laguna.