Growing up a Playshopper

MANILA, Philippines - From its humble beginnings in 1993, Trumpets Playshop has become the biggest summer workshop in the country, and the students who have walked through its doors have grown with it as well.

Certified Playshopper Sam Concepcion defines summer in one word: Playshop. Having started classes since he was just a little boy, Sam says that it has become more than just a “summer thing” but a part of him. “My childhood is in Trumpets Playshop, and it has played a big role in what I do and why I do what I do today.”

Playshop not only serves as a venue for students to hone their skills in acting, singing and dancing; it’s also the place where Playshoppers learn how to break the walls that stop them from becoming the best they can be.

 “I used to be really shy,” Playshopper Enzo Sison says. “I started with Streetdance and my teachers really helped me break out of my shell.” After taking Streetdance, Enzo discovered that he also had a knack for singing and acting, and he eventually became a part of Trumpets’ big musical N.O.A.H.

The same thing goes for his younger brother Ruiz who was also a cast member of N.O.A.H. Aside from learning new things from his teachers, another reason why he keeps on coming back every year is the company of kids who share his interests. “Growing in Playshop is really fun because I’m not alone. I’m with my brothers and all my friends.”

Indeed, every task and challenge becomes easy when you have people around to encourage and support you. Singer-actress Tippy Dos Santos says that she has found a lot of great friends because of Playshop. “Every year is an adventure,” because she and her peers get to discover new things about themselves as they attend the workshops, and this is exactly what every teacher in Playshop wants for every single Playshopper.

“Every year I try to make my class fun, but very strict, too,” says veteran performer and teacher Sweet Plantado-Tiongson who was once a Playshopper, too. Sweet believes that in order to discover and explore your talents, you have to be willing to “stretch yourself” and step out of your comfort zone. “This way, you could expect many, many new things to come and say, ‘Oh my, I can do that!’ and be proud of it.”

For its 18^th birthday, Trumpets Playshop is gearing up to make this year the most exciting and most colorful one yet by adding new and unique classes, such as Make-Up with Airbrush technique under Lou Bunyi-Pareja and Voice Masterclass for Musical Theater under Prof. Janet Sabas-Aracama of the University of the Philippines. When asked what students can expect from her class, Janet says that it will not be all about learning new vocal techniques. “It will also be (about the students) finding themselves through songs.”

Teacher Apol Padilla of the Manouevers claims that even he learns and discovers new things about himself as he shares his knowledge to the Playshoppers. He says that Playshop has become a great way for young choreographers such as himself to simply let their creative juices flow freely, especially now that the theme is Color Your World. “We’re going to make it really colorful,” he promises. “If a box crayons usually has 24 colors, we’re going to bring on 48 colors, or even a hundred!”

Trumpets Playshop is more than your average summer workshop. This is where you can showcase your talents, share your life with friends and discover the amazing performer hiding within you.

Spice up your summer and add some shimmer in your life. Join Trumpets Playshop and start coloring your world.

The summer shindig starts today at The Podium, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Alabang Town Center and Global City. For details, call 636-2842 and 631-7252 or drop by Trumpets MusicAdemy (fifth level, Shangri-La Plaza Mall). You can also log on to www.trumpetsplayshop.com to know more about the classes and download the complete schedule or join its Facebook fan page.