(Note: This is a late post and a Review on the Play ‘No Filter’)
The original production from The Sandbox Collective titled, ‘No Filter’ is not referring to as one of the most popular hashtags on Instagram, but it speaks about the characters who belonged to the Generation Y; those who reached young adulthood around the year 2000 or the ‘Millennials’. The stage presentation highlights series of monologues and multi-media performances that explore and examine the millennial experience by giving voice to a generation that has been both praised and criticized.
![Cai Cortez, Lauren Young and Jasmine Curtis-Smith were young talents who brought life to the characters sketched by the writers that represented the 'Millennials'. Photograph by Erickson Dela Cruz.]()
Cai Cortez, Lauren Young and Jasmine Curtis-Smith were young talents who brought life to the characters sketched by the writers that represented the ‘Millennials’. Photograph by Erickson Dela Cruz.
Brave Thoughts.
Ever since the young theater company headed by Toff De Venecia, it has mounted productions that are brave and perhaps unconventional staging, too. With ‘No Filter’ it takes a look into the personal lives of Generation ‘Why’— the generation that’s been said to save the world. Why is it so?
Maybe because they are the generation that knows no restrictions or do not know the meaning of limitations? Episodes in the play such as ‘Letters Across Space and Time’ with Cai Cortez and Jasmine Curtis-Smith, ‘Confession’ with Mikael Daez, and ‘Moving Out’ with Lauren Young—were particularly moving for me.
Both Cortez and Curtis-Smith were impressive in their scene together. They were perfect for the two characters they portrayed; as if conversing with each other at the same space and moment. While Daez’s surprised me with his sensible interpretation of a young man having a telephone conversation; trying to make a confession about his issues on his religion. Young, on the other hand, effectively told how it was difficult for her to live in the city like New York.
The monologue series featured anything and everything millennial—from the humble beginnings and evolution of social networks, life after college, the woes of work, pursuing one’s passions, dating (on and offline), finding love and happiness, among other concerns or issues, in particular or in general.
Gathering of Bright Young Talents.
![Mikael Daez proved that he's not just another pretty face, but he truly can act even onstage. Photograph by Erickson Dela Cruz.]()
Mikael Daez proved that he’s not just another pretty face, but he truly can act even onstage. Photograph by Erickson Dela Cruz.
Frankly speaking, I was only like banking on the theater veterans to impress me in this original theater piece. I am referring to Cai Cortez, Khalil Kaimo, and Micah Muñoz. Though I have seen both Curtis-Smith and Young in films and have been impressed with their potentials in acting; I still had reservations for them at first since this is their stage debut.
I was pleasantly surprised that both seemed to have mastered not just acting in films and on television series. They were even more sensitive in their character portrayals. Also, I salute Daez; he made me realize that he’s got the chops for acting, too. Perhaps, if he was just given the right character assignments on television—then he could have impressed me earlier on.
But among the cast members, Cortez was really a sell-out and a standout at the same time. All the characters assigned to her—she just eased it out with sterling performances. This is one theater project that I can say she nailed every bit of her scenes. No doubt.
The Sandbox Collective team chose the young bright talents of today and they delivered, very well.
Deserves Not Just an Extension, But a Tour.
The show has created a lot of buzz maybe because of its radical way of presenting issues or concerns about the Millennials, which I really think has bridged the gap between the Generation Y to other generations.
Despite the absence of gimmickry onstage, the multi-media inclusion in the play provided more meat and substance. The geometrical set design even helped in defining how the Generation Y-ers are as complex as the lives of the other generations before them.
The monologues were not just intimate, but it surely speaks to the heart and pierces the soul. Every word, every idea, every character resonates well with the audience, which I suspected to be very effective in making those who watched the shows, hooked and went out with a revived inspiration and motivation, too.
These types of presentations do not just deserve any extension. It should be toured around the country to help other generations listen to the Millennials.
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#NoFilter,
Cai Cortez,
Jasmine Curtis-Smith,
Khalil Kaimo,
Lauren Young,
Micah Muñoz,
Mikael Daez,
The Sandbox Collective,
Toff de Venecia