The Far Eastern University Dramatic Guild, which became the FEU Theater Guild (FTG), was founded in 1934 by professor-director Sarah Kabigting Joaquin, a notable figure in Philippine theater. The Guild first rehearsed in one of the theatres along Rizal Avenue. After a few months, the group moved to a small social hall in a former cigarette factory on Azcarraga Street.
“Call Me Mike,” a comedy in three acts by Reach and Taggart, was the Guild’s first production. It was directed by Mrs. Joaquin and actor-director Alberto Cacnio. The play was staged in the Metro Theatre, Manila on December 4, 1940. Despite the typhoon signal no. 4 at that time, the production was still hailed as a success by the audience. Manila’s Dramatic Critics placed FEU’s name in the city’s theatre history. After receiving positive reviews of “Call Me Mike”, FEU Founder Dr. Nicanor Reyes personally offered Joaquin a permanent venue for the group’s productions.
In 1949, the promise of a professional theatre was realized when Architect Pablo S. Antonio Sr., who later became a National Artist for Architecture, built the FEU Auditorium. When the Guild resumed operations after the war, it became one of the most active campus-based theatre organizations in Manila. It produced plays within and outside the campus, joined festivals, sponsored workshops, participated in fund-raising activities, and collaborated with other theatre companies such as the Barangay Theater Guild, which was also founded by Mrs. Joaquin.
In 2009, Edward “Dudz” Teraña of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) became the FTG’s artistic director. Major changes in the Guild occurred including the introduction of laboratory productions, a four-year training program for area specialization, and the separation of organizational and artistic committees. The group now stages at least one major and one minor production per school year.
At present, FTG members are continuously being trained in different aspects of theatre performance such as creative musical theatre, creative dance theatre, acting, and directing through daily theatre classes, workshops facilitated by the artistic director himself, and/or other professionals’ off-campus workshops, and exposure to actual theater productions. Members are also required to have their specialization in different production areas like Events and Production Management, Marketing Management, Public Relations, Production Design, Stage Management, and Technicals.
Well-acclaimed productions of the group include Dudz Teraña’s “Pablemo”, “B(i)etter”, “Sampung Minuto Kada Buwan”, and “Usapang X”, Rody Vera’s “Summer Dreamin”, “Ang Unang Aswang” and “Dreamweavers”, Risa Jopson’s “Makikitawag Lang Ako” and “Ang Pinakamakisig sa mga Nalunod sa Buong Daigdig”. George De Jesus’ “Sala Sa Pito” and Liza Magtoto’s “Agnoia”.
Video: FEU Film Society