Teddy Tan, Jr.: Finding a new world in theater

By Wein P. Gadian

Life may be complex but we have the freedom to live life the way we want to live it. We have freewill and that entitles us to become a rock star if we want to, or a playwright, a painter or anything that our heart desires. We can also choose to become losers and be a pity for the rest of our lives. All these means there is a driving force behind us called PASSION.

Preoccupations like studies and daytime jobs may not bring out the zest within us that brings forward the face of this thing we call passion. Most often, we do things without driving towards fulfillment. Even in choosing our career, a lot of us experienced studying a different degree and yet excelling in a totally different field. This was how Teddy Tan Jr. discovered his passion for the arts particularly theater or performing arts.

The 20-year old young man first pursued Engineering and after two years he shifted to Nursing. A semester later, he joined the College of Mass Communication with the influence of a teacher in Humanities. “Ma'am Jinki Beldia, told me I have good diction and that I could be a very good broadcaster.” Now he is a 2 nd year Mass Communication student of Central Philippine University. He's the eldest of the six siblings of Mr. Teddy Tan Sr. and Maria Cristina Deocampo (the elder sister of the film maker Nick Deocampo).

And along came theatre…

Simply Teddy

A university-wide drama festival in his campus (CPU's Teatro Sining atbp.), inviting all Humanities students to join left Teddy a ‘no choice' decision. With one big push from his Ma'am Jinki, he played the character of Tony in ‘The Dancers'. “It was my first exposure to theatre and because of it, I started to enjoy the theatre world. I wanted to explore more of it…so when ‘My Fair Lady', a Gilopez Kabayao Foundation Inc. production posted an open audition…I tried my luck.” As an amateur artist, to audition in a big production like ‘My Fair Lady', uneasiness is but normal. “I was reluctant, when I first came in the audition I backed out. My mom reprimanded me, so when there was another audition…she went with me and it was where I became part of the production's Chorus.”

An artist will always be an artist, so they say. It's never just luck to land a role. People in theatre know who should play who or what. Playing James Keller in the recent Kabayao production, ‘The Miracle Worker', was perfect for Teddy's character. He was able to give justice to the role, deserving the crowd's applause for his performance.

Life in Theatre…

Being part of theatre requires preparation and studying. One can't get it overnight, thus researching on the role is a great help. Workshop…workshop…is also something one shouldn't miss. Working and cooperating with your director is something every artist should learn. The theater world is not about you but about how you make the role become real, alive.

"FRIENDS KUNO" shot: L-R , Tope, Tibo, Paul, Archie & Teddy

“You have to give your best…like me seeing all the people around me in a certain spot closing their eyes and taking the role to heart made me realize the importance of making a character live. Like playing James Keller made me study his character. Rereading the script over and over again and watching the movie for quite some time until I get into it.”

Theatre is also teamwork and discipline. Every act should be flawless and that will make it easy for all. Meaning rehearsing would not be a pain in the ass and all parts is a 100% performance. “I can't afford to mess on my character…because that means messing up with the other artists. It will be unfair not to do my best when all of them did theirs.”

With a budding artist like Teddy Tan, these things in theatre made him decide to pursue it. Exploring other roles would be something he'll look forward to. To land a role as a comedian, a psychotic or someone with a mental disorder is his dream role. As of now, he wishes to direct and star in a play called ‘Bang-bang You're Dead' (based on a film).

This young man also finds time off-stage on a basketball court, listening to hip-hop and dancing. “I always love doing these things…and Yes! Basketball!” As far as his theatre career is concerned he learns confidence, discipline and finding where his heart should be. Our dreams will only be real if we take the opportunity. With Teddy seizing the opportunity made him where he is and enjoying it. Is he happier now? “Yes!!!,” the actor says with all smiles.