The Act Avenue Theater Festival 2026 returns as a dynamic celebration of Philippine theater, bringing together independent, community-based, and institution-based artists in a powerful showcase of original works. Now in its latest edition, the festival continues to serve as a platform for voices and narratives that challenge, provoke, and demand attention.
Founded in 2020, the Act Avenue Theater Festival has steadily grown into a vibrant space for both emerging and established theater practitioners. Its 2025 edition, held at The Parc Foundation in San Juan, featured participants from 10 universities and independent theater groups—marking a significant expansion of its reach and community.
This year, the festival takes on the theme “Mulat: Awakening from Apathy.” It is a call to move beyond indifference and confront the social, cultural, and political realities shaping the Philippines today. More than raising awareness, Mulat urges a deeper engagement—inviting audiences not only to see, but to feel, question, and respond.
True to its mission, the festival highlights bold and socially urgent works—pieces that engage with difficult, uncomfortable, and often overlooked truths. Participating groups are challenged to create performances that interrogate dominant narratives, spark meaningful discourse, and inspire action, reinforcing theater’s role as a catalyst for social transformation.
A Festival with Purpose
At its core, the Act Avenue Theater Festival is guided by its enduring values:
- Malaya — freedom of thought and creative expression
- Tindig — conviction, courage, and advocacy
- Pagbabago — transformation through action and collective support
Anchored in these principles, the festival empowers artists to articulate their convictions and share perspectives that challenge, inspire, and engage the public. More than a celebration of theater, the Act Avenue Theater Festival 2026 stands as a call to awareness, courage, and change—inviting audiences to awaken, listen, and ultimately, act.
What to Expect at the Festival
This year’s festival will feature original short plays selected through a rigorous screening process, representing a diverse range of voices from across the Philippine theater community. Audiences can expect works that are socially relevant, creatively bold, and emotionally engaging.
The Act Avenue Theater Festival 2026 will be staged at the NCCA, Intramuros (Tanghalang Leandro V. Locsin), presenting four curated sets of performances:
- SET A: Malaya – May 16 (Saturday), 2:00 PM
- SET B: Tindig – May 16 (Saturday), 6:00 PM
- SET C: Pagbabago – May 17 (Sunday), 2:00 PM
- SET D: Act Avenue Featured Play & Awards Night – May 17 (Sunday), 6:00 PM
Each set will feature selected entries from participating groups, alongside a featured production from Act Avenue.
Festival Lineup
SET A: MALAYA
- She — Guang Ming Theatre Ensemble
- Pa-Quiapo — PUP Sining-Lahi Polyrepertory
- Aninong Pula — Genesis to Jesus Production Inc.
- Ang Panahon ng mga Anino — A-Team Production
- This is a Movie — Martial Matters
- Cassie — Performing Arts Union Integrated for Culture, Arts and Nature (PAUICAN)
SET B: TINDIG
- Blondina, Brunetti and the Dead Body — Ampersand Collective
- Barya — Entabladong Alab
- Ant Control — Collective Arts of Students and Thespians (CAST)
- Plumat-Itak — Student Theater Artist Repertory
- Republik-Stein — Ang Republik
- Damay — Hulagway Production
- Antipara — Dulaang Oyayi Theater Arts – PUPSPC
SET C: PAGBABAGO
- Rebranding — RTU Dulaang Rizalia
- Sa Sandaling Hinga — Teatre Phileo
- Historya — The Corner Studio
- Kendi — Teatro de Letran
- A Pair of Two Aces — Tanghalang Batingaw
- Reklamasyon Headquarters — University of the East Drama Company
SET D: Featured Production & Awards Night
The festival will culminate with a special Act Avenue homegrown production alongside selected featured works, followed by the Awards Night recognizing outstanding artists and theater companies whose works have made a significant impact:
- Balikbayan – Written by John Rheymel Lunes
- Pangarap Kong Maging Serial Keller – Written by Jomari Jacinto
- Patayin sa Barbershop si Barbara – Written by Jobert Landeza
Key Personnel
- Alex Baylon – Festival Director
- Xander Go – Artistic Director
- Mark Pelicano – Production Manager
- Aileen Raquepo – Assistant Production Manager
- Jomari Jacinto – Marketing Director
- Rem Delos Reyes – Head Stage Manager
- Joshua Flores – Stage Manager
- Marion Brisoto III – Stage Manager
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