YouTurn : Joan Kristine "Teetin" Villanueva

Teetin Villanueva as Lam- Ang

Its been a long time since muli ako nagsulat sa YouTurn section ng blog ko sa kadahilanan na sobrang daming mga theater play na pinapalabas ngayon sa Pilipinas at natutuwa ako sa bagay na iyon, kaya nama muli kong binabalik ang YouTurn sapagkat marami na rin ang nagtatanong kung kailan ito muling magbabalik.

Kaya naman sa kanyang pagbabalik ay tampok  ang isa sa masasabi kong baguhan ngunit may sinasabi sa kanyang galing sa pag-arte sa entablo, walang iba kundi ang nag-iisang Joan Kristine  Villanueva o mas kilala ng marami bilang Teetin  Villanueva.

Una kong nasilahan si Teetin  Villanueva sa kanyang angking pag-arte sa entablo noong sa Maxie the Musical kung saan kuro siya dito at barkada ng Maxie at sumunod naman ay noong Pebrero taong 2015 kung saan parte siya ng isang napakalaking production ng Ballet Philippines' MANHID: The Pinoy Superhero Musical” na pinalabas sa Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipinas kung saan gumanap siya sa bilang Lam-Ang.

Tara kilalanin pa natin ng husto kung sino nga ba si Joan Kristine "Teetin" Villanueva sa mundo ng teatro.

Full Name and Alias: Joan Kristine Villanueva / Teetin Villanueva

Twitter: @teetinv

Instagram: @teetinv

Location: Quezon City

Age: 26.. but I feel like I'm 18! Life has just begun!

Education: BA Theater Arts (cum laude)

Tell me about yourself that people don't know: I used to be very active in sports.

What is your current state of mind before we continue with the interview? At peace.

When did you first know you wanted to become an stage actor? It was after I watched my first ever Dulaang UP play as a Biology major in my freshman year. I wasn't just interested in acting.. I was looking around at the lights people, the sounds boardmen, I was craning my neck to try and look at what went on at the wings. It was Floy Quintos' “Shock Value”.

What was the first show you ever did? And hows the experience? Floy Quintos' 2010 rerun of “Isang Panaginip na Fili”. I was part of the chorus. Sir Floy probably didn't know how happy I was every time we rehearsed. Learning the songs, the choreo, the blocking.. It was a dream come true. I was part of the backstage staff as well– we repaired costumes, assisted in the set construction, made props, cleaned the dressing rooms and assisted our lead actors and actresses during shows.

What has been your favorite role so far? It's hard to choose between the two...Prinsesa Draupadi (Ang Nawalang Kapatid) and Hermana Augusta (COLLECTION) – both productions written by Floy Quintos and directed by Dexter Santos.

 

Dulaang UP's ANG NAWALANG KAPATID

Have you ever played someone of the opposite gender? In class.. YES HAHAHAHA!

What was that like? We had to do scenes for our Acting 2 class under Jose Estrella. The first scene my partner and I TRIED to do was a total fail because we had to portray older men. Our professor gave us a second chance. My partner and I chose a scene that involved two younger boys – one collected marbles and the other liked collecting rocks. I think that was muuuch better because our voices fit the age range better. I can play little boys..not older men. Tried and tested!

What show/shows are you currently working on? I am currently part of the ensemble of ATEG's upcoming musical --“Bridges of Madison County”. And I just found out that I'm still part of the cast of Maxie the Musicale set for April 2016.

Have you ever forgotten your lines, or a prop, or choreography during a performance? What happened? I haven't forgotten lines (THANK GOD).. but I've been “bulol” a couple of times. That's why I have to rehearse a lot! I haven't forgotten choreo either.. but I have fallen onstage..in water. The baha in “Rak of Aegis”. I jumped. Di umabot! Woo swimming. I got out of the water and continued singing & dancing HAHA.

Scene in the Maxie The Musical

What is something that you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting out as an actor? It pays to do your best every single time. Every performance is like an audition for future shows.

Besides acting, what other training have you had (voice, dance, stage combat, etc.)? I had voice lessons in Davao (Hello Teacher Alma Orosio!). I was part of a children's choir--Songspell. I took ballet lessons at Locsin's Ballet studio. I took tap dancing as my PE in UP hehehe I trained as a soprano of the UP Singing Ambassadors for 3 and a half years. (I really want to take regular voice lessons again and also dance.)

How do you memorize alot of lines? I noticed it's easier for me to memorize when I know the blocking already. So I walk through them with the lines repeatedly.

scene from  Rak of Aegis

If you could choose, what three actors would you really want to work with? Shamaine Buencamino. Irma Adlawan. Leo Rialp. :) They're not just actors, they're “teachers” as well. I want to learn from them.

Why do you think theater is important? Aside from the message of every theater production.. Theater teaches and trains the people who are actually in the show-- Such as discipline. Humility. Respect. Responsibility. How to work with different kinds of people.

Why do you think so many aspiring actors end up giving up on their dream? I think it's because they don't want to exert effort on actually WORKING on getting better, auditioning (and getting rejected).. Maybe they expected to be cast in every single show they tried out for. Maybe they wanted/expected to get lead roles all the time. Maybe they thought it was gonna be easy.

What is something embarrassing or unexpected that happened to you on stage? Pumiyok na ako. Nabulol na ako. Nawalan na ako ng balance (headstand). Nadulas na ako at sumemplang sa sahig (naglalakad lang ako this time). Nagswimming na ako. Nasiraan na ako ng costume. Nakasira na ako ng lapel.. (Ano pa ba, universe, ibato mo na. hahaha)

What are some of the greatest fears you think actors/actress face? Forgetting..and being completely lost.. not being able to save yourself onstage.

scene from Manhid

What do you need in order to become a successful actor? Let's ask the veteran actors for that.. ehehe But for me, I think you would need to be in tip top shape to perform your best and be open to crticism. Sure, get hurt. Get over it ASAP. Do everything you can to deliver what's asked from you. Don't get stuck and never settle. Remember to always treat everyone with respect.

What makes a good stage actor in your opinion? Someone who has a clear and strong voice..someone who knows how to “move”..someone who does his/her homework.. someone who LISTENS.. someone who can be genuinely sincere.. someone who is not afraid of being vulnerable.

What is the most rewarding part of being a stage actor? Being someone else other than myself for a few hours at a time.

What are the pros and cons of being an actor? Please be specific.

PROS: You get to study about different people, cultures, places, beliefs, lifestyles etc. You get to create a different “self”. You get to create a world onstage w/ your coactors and your director. You get to tell stories. 

CONS: You get criticized a lot. You can get rejected quite a few times as well. Per project is time-consuming and more often than not, it doesn't pay very well.

What goal are you working towards within your career and when will you know you have reached it? I want to keep performing, that's for sure. I eventually want to teach so that I can share what I've learned with the next generation of theater artists and theater-enthusiasts. I also want to eventually direct and produce as well. Once I stop wanting to prove myself TO myself.. that's when I've made it.

What organizations do you belong to? I used to be part of UP Theatre Council in UP. When my fellow seniors and I graduated, I don't think anyone from the lower batches took over.

If you weren't a stage actor or an artist, what would you want to be? Why?   An Architect. I was quite good at AutoCAD in my high school days and I still find it very fascinating. When we made our first blue prints of the houses we designed, I had butterflies in my stomach.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to do what you do? Be prepared for the worst every time. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST. Don't be scared to ask for help. Learn to laugh at yourself and enjoy the ride :)

How do you see yourself 20 or 30 yrs from now?  Still performing, but not as often. Theater is time consuming. By this time, performing wouldn't be my main occupation and source of income anymore. I'd probably be busy working on being a good mother and wife. Once my children graduate (or once my children become too busy planning for their own future at nakukulitan na sila sakin), that's when I'd probably go back and give priority to my old love which is performing. Aha! Di na dalagita roles ang gagawin ko! Ahahaha!

What legacy will you leave on?

“Have courage and be kind” – yes that's from Cinderella.

Any final message? Its time to shine!!

Just keep taking the next right step. Regardless of whether they are baby steps or giant leaps..just keep moving.

Mga kuhang larawan nagmula sa opisyal na facebook account ni Joan Kristine "Teetin" Villanueva.