Riding the momentum of Spring Awakening, The Sandbox Collective returns this August.
They are presenting a staged reading of Duncan Macmillan’s People, Places, and Things.
The rare, four-show run happens on August 15 and 16 at The Blackbox at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati.
Consequently, audiences will enter an intimate, stripped-down world where storytelling takes center stage.
The Return and The Story
Meanwhile, the plot follows the unraveling of Emma. She is a successful actress whose life crumbles as she enters rehab.
As a result, she must face addiction, fractured memories, and a tangled road to healing. Emma ultimately confronts the blurred line between her stage persona and her true self.
A Star-Studded Cast
First, Bela Padilla makes her eagerly awaited theater debut.
Known for film and television, she now tackles one of contemporary theater’s most demanding roles.
In addition, Gabby Padilla joins her in the spotlight.
Her dynamic career spans theater, film, and television, including recent turns in Tiny Beautiful Things.
Together, these two talents promise unique interpretations of Emma’s journey.
Furthermore, an impressive ensemble surrounds them. Jake Cuenca steps back onto the stage as Mark, following his memorable performance in Lungs. Similarly, theater veterans Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Audie Gemora join the cast. Lauchengco-Yulo plays the Doctor, Therapist, and Mom. Meanwhile, Gemora takes on Paul and Dad.
Additionally, the supporting cast features top-tier local talent.
Robbie Guevara plays Foster, while Reb Atadero steps in as T. Brian Sy covers Shaun and Mark. Mariella Laurel, Pamela Imperial, Miel Abong, and Salve Villarosa van Schoonhoven round out the stellar team.
Theater with a Purpose
Originally, the play premiered at London’s Dorfman Theatre in 2015. It has since become a defining contemporary work. Broadly speaking, the piece goes beyond rehabilitation to explore identity, truth, and self-acceptance.
For this reason, artistic director Sab Jose views the production as a continuation of the company’s core mission.
Since our inception, advocacy theater has been at the heart of The Sandbox Collective’s identity.
Following our production of Spring Awakening, People, Places, and Things continues our commitment to bringing difficult yet necessary conversations to the stage and beyond
—expanding our reach, fostering understanding, and helping normalize discussions that matter most,”
Jose shares.
Ultimately, this staged reading strips away the spectacle. Instead, it focuses entirely on language and raw performance. The result is a powerful encounter with an urgent story, brought to life by some of the country’s finest actors.
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