Stepping In… and Back Into the Habit

by Angela A. Padilla

“I’m doing a show called STEPPING OUT. Someone had to drop out. And your name popped up. You’ll be tapping. And… We start in two days. Would you be available?”

Receiving this call from Tito Jaime was unexpected. But this has happened before, and the last time he threw me into the deep-end, to see if I could sink or swim, it turned out to be a wonderful experience. So my knee-jerk answer was, “Yes.”

Then came the shockers.

The first: it’s a musical. I thought it was a play! Sure, I can carry a tune, but I’m really not the strongest singer. Furthermore, my last musical was over a year ago, and I haven’t been singing since.

The second big shocker – I’m stepping in to play the teacher! Now hearing that I had to learn to tap was exciting. But then pretending to know what I’m doing… I immediately thought, “What have I gotten myself into?! I’ve really been thrown into the deep, DEEP, end here.”

But then rehearsals started. And things started to fall into place. We were all learning to tap together and that real struggle added to the truth behind the story. I found myself starting to feel comfortable (on stage) again. The best part was discovering the individual stories arcs behind each character – seeing the ensemble come together and come life.

It’s been a blast getting back into the theatre habit. It’s the process that inspires and drives me to swim (not sink). I’m humbled that my name popped up to take on this challenge. And I gladly accept it. This certainly has been a great journey stepping back on stage.

STEP OUT and catch Angela as (Character Name) in Repertory Philippines’ STEPPING OUT at Onstage Greenbelt starting April 1. Directed by Jaime del Mundo and feature (list actors here please). For more information (add show info and ticket sales etc.)

STEP OUT and catch Angela as Mavis in Repertory Philippines’ STEPPING OUT THE MUSICAL at the Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1 starting April 1, directed by Jaime del Mundo and features Joy Virata, EJ Villacorta, Bituin Escalante, Sheila Francisco, Raymund Concepcion, Cara Barredo, Christine Flores, Natalie Everett, David Shawn Delgado and Sarah Facuri. For more information call REP at 843-3570 or visit www.repertoryphilippines.ph.