U.P. Repertory Company
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The UP Repertory Company (or UP Rep) is a non-stock, non-profit theater group based in the University of the Philippines - Diliman. Founded in 1968 through the leadership of Behn Cervantes, the Company produces and stages socially relevant plays.
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[edit] History
The UP Repertory Company was founded in 1968 by Behn Cervantes and a handful of his theater students. The Company was then a venue for the production of classical plays. The founders, espousing a more holistic theater experience, encouraged and trained students who exhibited any inclination to the theater arts. Unfortunately, due to the lack of support from the UP administration and financial difficulties, the programs and plans of the Company was put to an abrupt end.
The Company was re-established in 1972, mostly as an answer to the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines. Due to deteriorating social conditions prevalent during those days, the Company decided to produce plays relevant to the Philippine context. Performances outside the campus were given emphasis to bring theater closer to the masses. This was also the main avenue used by the Company to express its sentiments on social events. Thus, it acquired its reputation as a frontline activist group.
Due to the demise of the Marcos Regime, as well as adjusting to the social climate, UP Rep has since become more mainstream with its productions and its stances. However, the original purpose of the company to produce plays that mirror the lives of Filipinos is still followed religiously to this day.
[edit] Guiding Principle
Repleksyon ng Pangangailangan ng Nakararami (Reflection of the needs of the multitudes) or RPN is the UP Repertory Company's guiding principle. It basically means that UP Rep produces plays and musicals that "reflect" the state of the nation at any given time. Likewise, UP Rep produces and customizes plays depending on the demographics of the audience they're performing for. Such a stance, as a result, drives the Company to produce plays with a strong social and moral conscience.
[edit] Awards
It is for these aims and acts that over the years, the UP REP has been given recognition. The Company was named Most Outstanding Special Interest Student Organization in 1983 and Most Outstanding Student Organization in 1985 by the University of the Philippines. It was also cited by the Aliw Awards for the Best Cultural Series in 1987.
[edit] Trivia
- Although UP Rep traces its origins from 1968, the Company recognizes 1972 as its year of founding. Although there are a variety of reasons given for this, the most popular is that, when Behn Cervantes re-formed UP Rep in 1972, it was a far cry from the old UP Rep that did classical plays.
- The UP Repertory Company celebrates its foundation day every September 21, the same day Ferdinand Marcos imposed Martial Law back in 1972. It is popular belief with the Company that this isn't the real birthday of UP Rep. Sept 21 is looked upon as a tribute date.
- "Isko," a play spoken in verse and acted out in mime, is an annual performance of the Company during the freshmen orientation in UP Diliman.
