Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset — Weekend workshop at PETA is a lot of fun. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Peta

MANILA, Philippines—The weekdays often mean high intensity work and stress for young professionals and students. Luckily, the weekends are there to help them recharge and get away from all of the pressure; but since most of these people have been worn out to the point of zombification, weekends are spent catching up on rest and sometimes even finishing the work that was left over from the last week.

This July, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) pushes young professionals to make their weekends count with “Workshop Weekends”. The program encourages students and professionals to put their show face on and drop their paperwork (at least during the weekend) to work on their dreams of becoming a stage performer.

Freedom and self-expression

Stress. Work. Studies. Expectations. Although these are challenges in life that all must overcome, these can sometimes also become limitations for our aspirations and dreams. With “Workshop Weekends”, enrolees are given the chance to reach for the stars and discover who they truly are through artistic performance.

Tricia Garcia, previous enrolee and musician, claims that the Workshop Weekends, “gave [her] a big sense of freedom and self-expression.” She also says that the Workshop Weekends has taught her how to be unafraid of mistakes and criticism which in turn made her feel stronger and free of anxiety.

A place where dreams can come true

“It was my own version of Disneyland. Dreams do come true. All roles that you’ll play, kaya mo ‘yon, pwede ‘yon, posible ‘yon.” , Yna Ellorde, previous Basic Acting enrolee, answering the question of what it was like being part of the Workshop Weekends program.

Theater is not only about expressing oneself through drama and acting but it can also pave the way to achieving a new perspective on things. Just like Yna, other past enrolees of the program also believe that the Workshop Weekends has made them feel like child again, fearless, gleeful, and motivated to take on whatever is thrown at them.

Where else but PETA

“Kasi sa PETA, feeling ko para siyang bahay sa komunidad. You have your family, kapitbahay, and barkada. Everytime I attend a PETA workshop, parang feeling ko secured at komportable ako.” Patrick Ortaliza responds to the question of why he chose PETA to enroll in.

PETA has always been known for its welcoming atmosphere wherein newcomers and old members come together because of their unified interest for the arts and theater. Having workshops taught by seasoned PETA members and certified artist-teachers, the “Workshop Weekends” offers a one of a kind art experience for young professionals and students who are true stage performers at heart.

PETA’s “Workshop Weekends” will run from July 19 to September 7 at the PETA Theater Center. Offering three courses, Theater Arts, Basic Acting, and Creative Musical Theater, the program provides a little bit of everything for the different interests of aspiring applicants. At the end of each course, students of the workshops will be able to showcase the skills they have picked up from their classes with a full-fledged production. The “Workshop Weekends” provides a multitude of opportunities for learning that enables its enrolees to learn more about who they are and what they can do.

Interested applicants may visit www.petatheater.com or contact 725 6244 loc. 15 for more details on the Workshop Weekends program.

For more information contact the PETA Theater Center at 7256244 loc.15 or 09065564800.

Peta brings back weekend workshops for aspiring actors, musical artists