CCP opening new PHP50-million Black Box Theatre within a year

After 30 years, the Cultural Center of the Philippines broke ground on a new building, the Black Box Theater.

A “Black Box” theater is usually a big open spaces painted black where the stage and seating are not fixed. It is designed for experimental productions.

The organizers and planners fought “against all odds” including “years of frustration” said CCP chair Emily Abrera at the groundbreaking ceremony in January.

Not surprisingly, funding was a major block. CCP’s white knight was businessman Ignacio Jimenez who committed to finance the project at PHP50 million.

Jimenez’s love of the arts has remained strong also after 30 years.

In his youth, he was an actor at UP Rep and the UP Mobile Theater, under no less than National Artist Wilfredo Ma Guerrero.

The Black Box Theater will be built over the CCP’s Sunken Garden and will take eight to 12 months to complete. It will be four times bigger than Tanghalang Batute, the current “black box.”

CCP vice-president and artistic director Chris Millado said this new theater will offer the artists more comfortable amenities while rehearsing and performing. There will be actual dressing rooms, a lobby, a space for equipment, a cafe, and a parking area.

Looks like while doing their shows in Batute, the artists used the comfort rooms as their backstage area.

In a year’s time, those days will be over.

This is one long overdue victory for the arts. Hurray!



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