MANILA — Barefoot Theatre Collaborative on Monday opened auditions for its upcoming original production, “Gabriela: The Musical,” a reimagining of revolutionary figure Gabriela Silang that places her at the center of a larger narrative about identity, resistance and belonging.
Set in Ilocos in 1762, the musical revisits the uprising led by Diego Silang against Spanish colonial rule, moving beyond conventional portrayals of Gabriela as a widow driven by revenge. Instead, the production frames her as a co-architect of the revolt, tracing her journey before and after her husband’s assassination.
Blending history with elements of myth, magic and indigenous storytelling, the musical also explores Gabriela’s connection to her Itneg roots. At its core, the work is described as a love story shaped by the cost of revolution and the question of who belongs to the land.
The production features a book and lyrics by Pat Valera, music by Myke Salomon, and direction by Mikko Angeles.
Barefoot Theatre Collaborative, known for staging contemporary Filipino works such as “Mula sa Buwan” and “Bar Boys: The Musical,” is seeking male and female performers for lead, supporting and ensemble roles. Applicants must have strong backgrounds in dance, singing and acting, and be fluent in Filipino.
Roles are open to performers who can portray characters in their late teens, late 20s to early 30s, and, for male roles, late 40s to early 50s.
Auditions will be conducted online, with applicants required to submit a video performance of a Filipino song and a short dance or movement piece. The submission deadline is April 15 at 6 p.m., with shortlisted candidates invited to in-person callbacks on April 21 in Quezon City.
The production period is scheduled from September to December 2026, with rehearsals to be held on weekdays.