Cover (Photo: Kevin Schmid / Unsplash)

A tribute to those whose hard work is often eclipsed by the stage, 'Backstage Pass: Life Behind the Curtain' opens the viewer's eyes to the fulfilment of backstage production

What is your favourite theatre production? WickedHamiltonCats? In such big Broadway or West End productions, the applause often comes reserved for those who act on stage. It becomes easy to forget that the work it takes to succeed always begins behind the curtain.

The dazzling worlds we often immerse ourselves in when in an auditorium would be impossible to create without the heavy, guiding hands of the production staff. Accoutred in black, the members of the backstage often work as shadows—but their contributions are what shape the stage we know today. 

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On March 30, 2022, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) opened its doors to the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino and premiered Joseph Mangat's Backstage Pass: Life Behind the Curtain. A short film and a documentary, it explores the stories of a handful of CCP's staff, some of whom have stayed for decades working as stagehands, flyers, and lighting crew. Working tirelessly throughout each production, they embody the persevering heart of the theatre, with some of them clocking into the CCP as early as four in the morning to complete a task or get a head start.

Though a handful of them had no previous training in production, their skills garnered from industries such as maritime and electrical repair, made them the perfect candidate to bring the stage to life. A consistent theme throughout the film was the decades-long dedication that each member shared for both the arts and the CCP itself, with many stating that they would not have stayed so long in the theatre had they not felt a true passion for the responsibilities they carried. 

 

The premiere, attended by the backstage crew along with friends and family, was an attestation to the importance of their work. Dressed in their uniform of black from head to toe, members of the production crew sat front and centre to cheer their colleagues on. Ushered on by National Artist for Dance, Alice Reyes, they were brought onstage to be applauded—maybe for the first, but definitely not for the last—time. "This moment was a long time coming (Medyo natagalan ang paghihintay ninyo for this moment)," admitted Reyes in her remarks. "The acknowledgement of your work, your contribution, and your love for the CCP and for us, the audience (Ang pagparangal ng inyong trabaho, ng inyong kontribusyon, ang inyong malasakit sa buhay ng CCP, at sa aming lahat)." 

The dancer continued, "Now, this is all about you," Reyes said in her remarks. "You, the unsung heroes of the [theatre]." 

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Also present at the premiere were Chris B Millado, Vice President and Artistic Director of the CCP, as well as Felix "Monino" Duque, a Gawad CCP Para sa Sining Awardee. Both speakers introduced the film and related their experience of working with the crew, many of whom have gone on to share what they learned at the CCP to various theatres around the Philippines including at Solaire and Resort's World. Needless to say, they were thanked for their tireless work. 

"You are an essential part of this whole creative process," said Millado to the crowd. "You became our frontliners during the pandemic. When the theatres were closed to the public, you were the ones who went out of your way to be at the CCP to be backstage to make sure that our lights, equipment, our venues are in tiptop shape in spite of the semi-abandonment that we were forced into. You are the ones who ensured that as we emerged out of the pandemic, our venues would be ready again for the public and for our artists." 

Though filmmaker Joseph Mangat was unable to attend the event, he did express via a prerecorded video the incredible amount of knowledge he garnered just by simply observing them and being with them. 

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