Cheyenne Suarez

Philstage reports theater boom but urges broader support to sustain growth

Article (news)

Vlad Bunoan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754027672530526419795_10162953568722649_4262976735544971535_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Toff de Venecia reports on the state of Philippine theater at the 15th Gawad Buhay Awards. Toff de Venecia/FB"/>Toff de Venecia reports on the state of Philippine theater at the 15th Gawad Buhay Awards. Toff de Venecia/FB</div>MANILA — The Philippine theater industry marked a &quot;milestone year&quot; in 2024 with a significant increase in productions and performances, but industry leaders are calling for stronger support to sustain its growth and expand audience reach.Speaking at the 15th Gawad Buhay Awards on Wednesday night at the Aliw Theater, Philstage vice president and Sandbox Collective’s outgoing artistic director Toff de Venecia reported a 65% increase in productions by member companies, rising from 26 shows in 2023 to 43 in 2024. This surge translated to an 83% jump in the number of performances, from 325 to 594 shows, as companies expanded their reach across over 20 venues nationwide.“In what has been a milestone year of performances, well-attended or sold-out shows, extensions, and even reruns, Manila theater showed no signs of slowing,” de Venecia said. However, despite the uptick in productivity, ticket sales grew by only 8%, from 190,048 in 2023 to 204,492 in 2024 — a figure that does not yet account for audiences of touring productions, university theater, and non-Philstage members.“This data reinforces the need to ramp up efforts towards achieving Philstage’s long-term dream of positioning the Philippines as the No. 1 theatrical arts hub in Southeast Asia,” de Venecia added.Founded in the late 1990s, Philstage serves as an alliance of Manila-based professional performing arts companies, organizing the annual Gawad Buhay Awards and spearheading programs for professional development, arts education, and policy advocacy.De Venecia outlined Philstage’s ongoing initiatives to drive industry growth, including high-level engagements with government agencies such as the Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Tourism Promotions Board to boost the visibility of theater productions. Philstage is also working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on a national capacity-building strategy “to help empower creators and companies from across the country with craft-related and business-related skills towards sustainable, diverse, and decentralized theatrical arts industries,” he said.In 2024, Philstage recorded 972 performers engaged across member productions, with nearly 400 designers and artists contracted for services and 980 front-of-house and backstage staff employed. “These numbers may seem modest compared to other industries, but they are the heart and soul of our community,” de Venecia said.Moving forward, Philstage plans to enhance its data collection methods and collaborate with partners such as the Theater Actors Guild, Philippine Association of Theatre Designers and Technicians, and Association of Philippine Performing Arts Spaces to develop targeted, data-driven interventions.De Venecia also called on the private sector to support theater productions by underwriting costs and making tickets more accessible to the public, as well as aiding in the continuation of the Gawad Buhay Awards.“The theater industry has become an undeniable force for cultural enrichment, social advancement, and economic transformation,” he said.Philstage is also looking to expand its membership, welcoming companies that meet its production requirements. De Venecia acknowledged the presence of several emerging theater groups at the event, encouraging them to join the Philstage family to foster greater collaboration within the community.“As we move towards the future with grand ambition, we will always approach our work with collaboration, innovation, community, and always, always, love,” he concluded. “Mabuhay ang teatro!”

At the 15th Gawad Buhay Awards, Philstage vice president Toff de Venecia revealed a 65% surge in theater productions for 2024. However, he warned that audience growth still lags behind.

At the 15th Gawad Buhay Awards, Philstage vice president Toff de Venecia revealed a 65% surge in theater productions for 2024. However, he warned that audience growth still lags behind.