As part of the cast of the play Kumprontasyon which is part of PETA’s Changing Narratives festival this year, actress Gillian Vicencio said her year has started on a busy pace full of rehearsals and preparations for the production.
“2025 has been good to me so far. I’ve been working nonstop for the past weeks and I’m grateful for it. Ot also feels nerve-wracking to be doing theatre this early but I think it is a great way to start my year,” she told Push ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview.
The 23-year-old actress, who took on first lead role in slasher film Talahib last year, said her journey into theater was an unexpected career turn.
“Actually, biglaan lang po ang lahat ng ito. Short story lang, I went to a cafe/brand saw Direk Melvin (Lee) there. This was two years ago. I approached him and said that I wanted to try doing theater. Then and there, we exchanged contact numbers and then the day after, he messaged me and asked kung seryoso ba ako and I said yes. The rest is history. But nung mga panahon na yun grabe talaga yung kaba ko dahil first time kong sasabak sa teatro at ayokong mag-mess up dahil matataas tingin ko sa mga taga teatro. Kaya talagang binigyan ko ng oras at puso yung rehearsals at performances,” she recalled.
READ: Gillian Vicencio takes on first lead role in slasher film 'Talahib'
Making the transition from television to stag was a little challenging for Gillian at the start. But the petite actress shared how she eventually got the hang of it.
“The biggest challenge for me was the modulation my voice and kung paano ko lalakihan yung movements ko on stage. Kapag sa TV or movies kasi diba mas maliit yung galaw at pwedeng sakto lang yung lakas o hina ng boses mo dahil may lapel naman at na-ka-capture ng camera yung maliliit na movements mo. Sa teatro kasi, kailangan malaki o heightened lahat dahil may mga audience na malayo sa stage at dapat makita at marinig pa din nila ng maayos,” she explained.
The Kumprontasyon cast member also hopes more people will consider watching stage plays this year because of the unique viewing experience.
“Siguro for me, yung experience kasi ng teatro ay present lagi. Kumbaga, kasama sa mismong show yung mga live audience namin. Kasi we also feed off from their energies while on stage. And for me, masaya maging parte nung experience na iyon. We exchange frequencies or energies,” she added.
Gillian said she hopes people will continue to support both her work on stage and in her upcoming inclusion in the new season of FPJ's Batang Quiapo.
“First of all, sana po ay panoorin ninyo ang Kumprontasyon. Eye-opening at mind boggling po itong play namin kaya sana po ay mabigyan niyo ho kami ng oras ninyo. Pangalawa po ay sana ay panoorin ninyo ang FPJ’s Batang Quiapo gabi-gabi dahil po nitong kelan lamang ay naibalita nga na magiging parte ako ng napakalaking proyekto na ito. Lastly, may lalabas po akong project din na on the works right now. Sana po ay abangan ninyo iyon. Maraming salamat po!” she said.
Kumprontasyon will run from February 6 to 9 at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. Get your tickets at bit.ly/PETACSKumprontasyon