Arts in the City supports world stage debut of Mind’s Eye

Life is a wonderful piece of art. So it comes as no surprise that art is found everywhere — just look around and you will see majestic—even breathtaking—scenes from the everyday: people walking in rhythms during the rush hour, cars perfectly lined up in traffic, or a cluttered work desk.

Ask the creative whiz behind Arts in the City, a home for artists located at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, and she’ll tell you that art expression is a key element in the appreciation for the arts.

Arts in the City was established in February 2009 so that artists can find a home to share their talents in dance, music, theater, and the visual arts with the community. “Arts in the City, together with our partners Ballet Philippines, Manila Symphony Orchestra, Tanghalang Pilipino, and UP Madrigal Singers, offers classes in the various arts. We also hold many art-related events, workshops, seminars as well as open rehearsals to let people experience the arts up close,” said Sandy Hontiveros, executive director of Arts in the City and Ballet Philippines.

Arts in the City offers an open space with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, to get those creative juices flowing. Hontiveros said, “We recognize that art has no boundaries so we share the same space for ballet, jazz, hip hop, zumba, pole dancing, hoops, spinning, classical guitar, electric guitar, classical and pop piano, English and Filipino plays and movies, classic and contemporary art.”

Recently, the venue played host to rehearsals for Mind’s Eye, a play based on an award-winning novel of the same name. Mind’s Eye will have its worldwide theatrical debut in the Philippines on November 9 and 10 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

Mind’s Eye celebrates the power of imagination through literature, poetry, and the arts. Helmed by veteran stage director Jaime del Mundo, Mind’s Eye is an engaging story on the relationship between the two lead characters, Elva and Courtney, who, for their own reasons, overcome their physical limitations to take a shared imaginary trip to Italy using their minds and a 1910 Baedeker travel guidebook. This fantasy journey allowed them to visit some of the greatest museums, art galleries, and architectural monuments in Italy.

Seasoned thespian Joy Virata will essay the role of Elva while Jenny Jamora will play Courtney. Other powerhouse cast members include Caisa Borromeo, Red Concepcion, and Naths Everett with the special participation of renowned theater actress Naty Crame Rogers. Set design is by Lex Marcos while lighting design will be led by John Battalia.

“Mind’s Eye is a very interesting play that sends a good message. We congratulate the team that brought this timeless story to the stage, especially the cast led by Joy Virata and Jenny Jamora,” said Hontiveros.

A celebration of the mind and spirit, Mind’s Eye is presented by C. Virata Advisory and Gillian Joyce Virata and supported by Repertory Philippines Foundation, Inc., Arts in the City, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, Jinggo Montenejo, and TeamAsia.

Book your tickets now at mindseyeplay.eventbrite.com or call Elaine Coloma at 0905-4392027 or (02) 928-7419. For more information on the play, visit its Facebook page at facebook.com/MindsEyePlay or follow twitter.com/MindsEyePlay_PH on Twitter.

About The Play: Mind’s Eye
The play Mind’s Eye will have its worldwide debut in the Philippines on November 9 and 10 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. The play is based on the award-winning novel Mind’s Eye, written by acclaimed children and young adults book writer Paul Fleischman.

Mind’s Eye is presented by C. Virata Advisory and Gillian Joyce Virata, and supported by Repertory Philippines Foundation, Inc., Arts in the City, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, Jinggo Montenejo, and TeamAsia.

For ticket inquiries, visit mindseyeplay.eventbrite.com or call Elaine Coloma at (0905) 439 2027 or +632 928 7419.

Mind’s Eye © 1999 by Paul Fleischman. Used by permission of the author.