The 2006 stage musical Spring Awakening, which is currently being performed in Manila, tackles generational problems that exist regardless of time and place. Themes of sexual awakening and forced maturity expose the debate to more contemporary discussions on women’s rights and gender equality, whether in 19th-century Germany or the Philippines today.
Wendla, a 14-year-old girl who approaches these problems with the most inquisitive of hearts, is the emotional center of Spring Awakening. Sheena Belarmino, a singer, dancer, and actor, plays a part in The Sandbox Collectives’ staging, which is the first production at The Black Box at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati, and runs until March 22, 2026. Sheena talked on the difficult task of bringing to life an antiquated yet timeless role that was created by Broadway actress Lea Michele and has been portrayed by many actors worldwide.
Script analysis was essential for her to comprehend the perspectives of a child who is exploring her sexuality as a young adolescent because, in addition to being her first lead role, the pressure came from the physicalization required to embody the character and the acting depth required to portray Wendla.
All of the preparations paid off when Sheena confronted Wendla with a purposeful and obvious innocence, speaking in the tone of a small child who was curious to know more about conception than the old stork’s story. However, her voice became deeper and more feminine as she sang, revealing the depth of yearning and maturity. Sheena is well-known as a strong vocalist due to her numerous television singing roles, but she really shines when she uses her instrument to tell stories, a skill she has grown to enjoy.
She went on to say that in order to contextualize sensitive passages in the play, they underwent intimacy direction, which is now a standard practice for work in theater and film. Sheena claimed that she had to build trust, particularly when learning how to be intimate on stage with Nacho Tambunting and Alex Diaz, two co-actors who alternate as Melchior. She confirmed that the act became less sexual under the right instruction, which was appropriate since, in her opinion, “Wendla just wanted to know what was going on.”
When asked about the relevancy of a 20-year-old show about a narrative set more than a century ago, Sheena was adamant that these are the subjects that need to be brought back into the spotlight, particularly in light of the current difficulties surrounding the objectification of women.
She believes that now is the ideal time to raise awareness.
Sheena, Alex, and Nacho share the stage with other outstanding up-and-coming theater performers as well as seasoned actors Audie Gemora and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, who alternate with Anna Abad Santos. Because they portray several adult characters in the narrative, they provide the necessary gravitas that serve as a stark backdrop against the teenage struggles of the young people.
