Dulaang Bayan Melbourne Inc

DULAANG BAYAN ARENA THEATRE: The People’s Development Theatre

By Manny G. Asuncion
Photos by George Gregorio
Melbourne-Australia
May 28, 2015



The Dulaang Bayan Melbourne Inc (DBMI), a Filipino community Development theatre in Melbourne, has announced its new long-term project, the DBMI Arena Theatre. Its foremost objective is to bring Filipino theatre closer to the community.

Out of the confines of the traditional theatre, it’s purpose is to stage one-act plays with minimal characters, sets and props to community venues such as halls, churches and even ordinary living room of private residences.  

The theatre will also save exorbitant hiring of theatre, purchase of expensive props and high costs of lightings and set constructions, and most importantly the tickets costs for the theatre-goers.   

DBMI Arena Theatre will stage plays with relevant messages to the Filipino-Australian community in Victoria. It is envisioned that this theatre will produce original dramas, excerpts, monologues, music, plays and poetry readings and song competitions close to the hearts of migrant Filipinos and other Australian multi-cultural groups.

Dramas are limited to 2 or three characters with minimal or no props or sets at all. Every performance is from 30-40 minutes followed by an open forum to encourage audience participation and light refreshments of coffee/tea and cakes/ biscuits. 

A minimal donation of $5.00 or more are expected to cover hall hiring and refreshment to cover the expenses. As agreed upon by the DBMI members and executive committee, DBMI Arena Theatre performances will be every two months or as per request.  
 
The initial offering of DBMI Arena Theatre is WINTER‘S CHILL, an original play written and directed by Manny G. Asuncion. It will be presented and performed on Sunday, 16 August 2016  at the  FCCVI Multi-Cultural Centre, 93 Cowper Street, Foostcray.  Time: 2:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.