"Balikbayan" - A Powerful Staged Reading Exploring Gender, Identity, and Family

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Playwright and dramaturg Alexandra May Cardoso, also known as AMD Cardoso, is set to present a compelling staged reading of her play "Balikbayan" on April 13, 2024. This powerful work, part of her MFA Theatre Arts - Dramatic Writing degree from the University of Idaho, promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of gender, identity, and family dynamics.

"Balikbayan" is an adaptation of a dialogue-driven short story by Rayji de Guia, a fellow writer and friend of Cardoso's. In crafting the script, Cardoso navigated the challenges of translating the nonlinear timeline of the original story to the stage while also introducing a character who briefly appears but plays a pivotal role in driving the narrative forward.

The play centers around Stella, a trans woman who returns to her hometown, unraveling the story of her sister Katrina's disappearance nearly eleven years ago, when she went to the United States to work as a teacher. Through captivating performances and thought-provoking storytelling, "Balikbayan" aims to raise awareness, ignite discussion, and inspire action around these crucial issues.

Directed by Banaue Miclat, the staged reading boasts a talented cast, including Yves Pangilinan in the lead role of Stella, Jeremy Bravo as Katrina, and Janina Mendoza, EV Gulapa, and Dominic Janssen in supporting roles.

After the performance, a talkback session with invited guest speakers and audience members from UP Diliman Gender Office, UP Center for Women's and Gender Studies, RESBAK, and other related organizations will provide an opportunity for further dialogue and understanding.

"Balikbayan" is a one-day event that will take place on April 13, 2024, at 7 PM at the Ignacio B. Gimenez Gallery, University of the Philippines Diliman Quezon City. Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to reserve their seats by scanning the QR code on the event poster.

Don't miss this powerful and thought-provoking staged reading that promises to shed light on important issues while taking audiences on an emotional journey through the lens of a trans woman's experience.

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