A DARING exhibition, a well-defined artistry, a tireless quest for excellence, a cutting-edge season, and an imprint of your imagination... are just some of the expressions that the organizers used in describing the exciting and upcoming theatre season in Saint Louis University.
Tanghalang SLU, the resident theater company of the Center for Culture and the Arts of SLU, will be launching its 12th Theatre Season for school year 2010 to 2011 this afternoon at 5:30 p.m. sharp at the SLU-CCA Theatre.
With the theme "Freedom of Choice", the launch program will be unique because it will present snatches of the plays to be presented throughout the school year such as Zwardeenah, Pagninilay-nilay, A Streetcar Named Desire and Florante at Laura.
There will also be a presentation about the TSLU as a theatre company, an audio-visual presentation of the theme "Freedom of Choice", and a special forum for the media.
Established in 1998, TSLU is envisioned to become a theater company that consistently delivers magical and transforming experiences and outstanding performances with a mission to provide the highest quality and artistically excellent theater dedicated to developing and training young theatre performers.
Since 2001, TSLU reached higher heights of theatrical and artistic distinction. From then on, it has given outstanding theater play productions every theater season and has started receiving commendations for being one of the finest known theater groups in the country.
By staging plays from the repertoire of Philippine and world theater productions, Tanghalang SLU hopes to bring to the experience of both artists and general public the best of theater tradition. So far since 2001, TSLU has already presented a total of 28 stage productions.
Being the premier university-based theater company in the Cordillera region, TSLU aims to train and develop young actors in all areas of theater acting; learn and apply the principles of working on the theater stage through production and stage management;
TSLU also aims to conserve and promote creativity and artistic expression through quality performances; educate and awaken cultural, political, and social consciousness of any individual through its regular performances.
Aside from theater plays, TSLU is also responsible for hosting the annual SLU Drama Festival. The company also performs in various significant events in Baguio City such as executing brilliant shadow plays and outstanding creative dramatics. In 2002, TSLU was awarded as the grand champion in the YFC Drama Festival.
Tanghalang SLU attested its theater expertise when the group performed during the 1st CICM Friendship Meet in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya in 2008, co-hosted and participated in the 31st Unesco International Theater Institute World Congress Theater For All Program in Baguio-CAR in 2006.
It also performed during the 3rd and 4th Tanghal! National University and College Theater Festival 2010 in Laguna and Manila which is the flagship project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for the Philippine International Arts Festival in 2009-2010.
As a result of the engagement in the 4th Tanghal Festival, TSLU has been selected as one of the seven outstanding university-based theater companies in the Philippines by the NCCA.
Some of the sterling performances of TSLU among others, are Walang Sugat, Once Upon A Living Room, Flores Para Los Muertos, Ang Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio, Madonna, Pitong Taon, The World is an Apple, The Sign of the Seagulls, A Christmas Carol, The Way You look Tonight, Tagpi-tagping Tagpo, Kabsat, Traje de Boda, Ma-te, Linggo ng Palaspas, Ang Ibong Adarna, Baka Sakali, and Anino. Dan Rommel Riopay