Great stages that make for great performances

UP Theater

Magsaysay Ave., Diliman, Quezon City

The University of the Philippines’ Theater is home to the performing arts organization Dulaang UP, founded by the late Tony Mabesa, who was a producer of advocacy-driven performances.

Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA)

5 Sunnyside Dr, New Manila, Quezon City

A UNESCO International Theater Institute Center, this site is fondly known as the “stage of the nation.” It’s home to the Philippine Educational Theater Association, which stages plays that tackle societal issues, so it’s seen the radical and diverse evolution of Philippine theater.

Areté

University Road, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City

Apart from housing a co-working space, dance studio and teaching restaurant, Areté—Ateneo de Manila’s art and technology hub—also has its 900-seater proscenium theater, 250-seater black box theater named after the cultural historian Doreen Gamboa Fernandez, and an open-air amphitheater for performing arts shows.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines theaters

CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay

The CCP theater’s performance halls have, for the past 50 years, witnessed numerous emerging local art forms like ballet, orchestra and theater (it houses Ballet Philippines and Tanghalang Pilipino, for one). It recently opened its 300-seat Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez theater, a black box setup meant for more intimate performances.

Meralco Theater

Ortigas Ave., Pasig

Because of its good acoustics, the Meralco Theater has become known as a concert venue in recent years. Still, it’s an ideal place for first-time theater-goers as its 1,000-seater auditorium makes for a laid-back but nonetheless engaging stage experience.

AFP Theater

De Jesus Ave., Quezon City

Aside from the usual plays from Treehouse Theatre Productions, the theater located in Camp Aguinaldo has become a venue for masses and Sunday services of several religious schools as well as a site for pageants.