What was your first encounter with the performing arts?

Masskara Festival in my hometown in Bacolod City.

When you were a kid, what life and career did you dream of?

I only dreamt of travelling the world, and get out of my hometown. I’m a small town gurlie.

When did you know that you wanted to work in the performing arts?

Meeting art and performing arts happened entirely by chance. I went to a dormitory art school at 11 years old where I studied theater and from then I decided that this is the path I was gonna take.

Which performance kept you awake recently?

My own creations, hahaha, I’m always trying to figure out every detail of each show.

Which performance will you never forget?

Rio Carnival.

What do you never want to see on a stage again?

Bad-non physical technique.

What is your favorite place to be?

Seaside, Siargao

Where would you like to show your work?

I have been fortunate enough to be able to perform in many places, but I hope to perform more in the Philippines.

From whom have you learned the most?

The universe and the waves, and the island.

Are you into astrology?

Yes but I’m not very proficient.

What does your workspace look like?

It’s either the desk in my bedroom or the constant state of travelling and movement.
That’s where I get my in my flow state of ideas, in liminal spaces, like train and planes.

How do you relax?

Video games and working out.

What music are you currently playing on repeat?

This musician I am currently collaborating with and obsessed with: Gorkem Sen.

Do you like gadgets?

Not really, only the practical ones.

© Michiel Devijver

© Michiel Devijver

© Michiel Devijver

© Michiel Devijver

Do you have a ritual before going on stage?

Yes, gym, meditation, yoga, and warming up.

Prayers to the spirits, and incensing the whole space.

What is the most beautiful thing about your job as an artist?

To be able to create the universes in my mind that correspond to the needs of the world.

And the hardest part?

To be in constant dialogue with and head-butting my own demons and emotions. Finding what is true and remaining authentic.

Do you need mostly chaos or order to work?

Both.

What does your ideal dressing room look like?

Like, in my dreams? It has a sauna and cold plunges, ahahahaha.

Do you have a daily practice?

Yes, I try to be mobile and I have a physical practice as well, meditation, and grounding work.

How long before the premiere is your performance ‘finished’?

With Void it took two years for it to finish, my work always adapts.
I don’t really like the idea of a premier as I feel it limits what the work can become, by having it ‘done, done’. 

Do you enjoy showing your work, or does it mainly make you nervous?

Both.

What habit would you like to unlearn?

Being naughty *wink* *wink*

Are your parents fans of your work?

They’re very supportive yes 🙂

Does theatre have an impact?

Depends what we present in the theater. 

With whom would you like to collaborate one day?

So many beautiful people. Like Bhenji Ra and Justin Shoulders for example.

Are there certain artists you feel related to and why?

Yes many, many artists that also have the same journey, artists that carry their communities.

Which misconception about yourself would you like to dispel here and now?

I am actually really shy in public spaces and I find it difficult to start something.
Just know that I’m actually pretty easygoing.

Have you ever had a memorable encounter with an audience member?

Yes, especially when I perform and there are kids in the audience.
I always spend more time with them.

Do you care about reviews?

I think they are valid point of understanding, how each individual reads and writes about the work. In the end, everyone has their opinion.

What is the last note you made?

A to-do list reminder.

What question do you wish you’d been asked in an interview, but never were?

“Are you doing okay?”

If you could start over, what career would you choose?

I can’t imagine anything else other than being an artist.

Do you think theatre will survive in the future?

Depends how you define theatre.

The forms and practices of storytelling will indeed survive with or without the infrastructure of what we have established as “theatre”.