Meet Cebu's Cre8tive Thespians Club

By Lee Cundangan

Cebu City, Philippines--Daisy Baad, veteran playwright and director, once told Sonny Ouano Alquizola, Cre8tive Thespians Club Inc.'s (CTC) founder and artistic director, that CTC is one of those theater groups with very humble members that strongly reflects its leader's humility. Despite being acknowledged as one of Cebu's finest theater groups, CTC keeps it feet firmly rooted on the ground.

According to Alquizola, CTC is a small group of people "who loves theater and music, and makes performing a hobby." But such a hobby has turned into a passion that made its own niche in the local theater scene. Originally named Cebu Theater Company, CTC changed its name to Cre8tive Thespians Club Inc. because the word "company" denotes "business," which is the furthest thing from the minds of its members.

"My soul sister, Gayle, and I have been performing since we were very young. From the early 1990s until the present, we've seen many talented individuals disappear into the wilderness. When Gayle and I get to meet them, they often express their desire to return to the stage, and do what they love most--to perform.

"And then, there are also a lot of people with artistic potential, who dream of performing onstage, but do not have an avenue to do so. That is why CTC was born," Alquizola tells BroadwayWorld.com. "We planned everything a long time ago, but the first time we all went onstage as CTC was on February 26, 2005--a date that we consider as CTC's birthday."

In order to continuously maintain their level of professionalism and performance quality, CTC members generously share and help one another to grow both as an artist and as an individual. As Alquizola points out, "[The group is very] fortunate enough to have professionals offer their help to us because they believe in the group's goals; and they believe in the group's potential."

Currently, CTC is busy sharing its theatrical know-how by accepting requests to provide acting, voice, and dance workshops; and by accommodating a few private live performances here and there. Despite the lack of a permanent office and a rehearsal venue, CTC continues to open avenues for people to express themselves; does its best to steer away these individuals from bad influences; creates an extended family, and promotes an environment where creative imagination can flourish freely.

CTC, an all-Cebuano group, has performed notable and unforgettable performances of "1832, the Musicale," "Les Miserables," "Anastasia," "Paint Me a Rainbow," "Rhapsody, A Musical Adventure," "Prism," and "Kindred Hearts," an all-original musical performed with the Atrium Core Theater Group.

Photo: Jory Rivera