Bela Padilla, Gabby Padilla, and Jake Cuenca are embracing the challenge of working together during their technical rehearsals on stage for 'People, Places, and Things,' with the actors saying their experience has been made even more meaningful by the support of veteran theater performers.
For Bela, who is making her theater debut as Emma, stepping onto the stage has been both exciting and intimidating.
“It was really scary, but everyone was so supportive,” Bela said, noting how generous her co-actors have been in sharing what they know.
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The actress admitted that taking on something new naturally comes with difficulties, but having experienced theater veterans around her has helped make the transition easier.
“It's so refreshing to work with people who are so generous with their talents, so I'm just grateful,” she said.
Gabby, meanwhile, has enjoyed watching Bela find her own approach to the role. The two actresses serve as alternates for Emma, giving Gabby the opportunity to observe Bela's interpretation of the character.
“I learned so much from watching her,” Gabby said. “The joy of having an alternate [is] you really get to see a different perspective on the attack.”
Gabby also described working with Cuenca in theater as a welcome change, having previously worked with him on screen.
“We work on screen but we've never worked in theater, so it was a nice change of pace,” she said.
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Beyond their experience with one another, Gabby and Bela both highlighted how much they have learned from the production's veteran theater artists.
Gabby described it as “such an honor” to work with theater veterans Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Audie Gemora, along with the rest of the cast.
“Everyone again is just so generous,” she said.
"People, Places, and Things" started its limited run at the Black Box at The Proscenium Theater on August 15 and runs until August 16, with showtimes at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.