It’s time to witness live shows once again at the most iconic theater yet. Ayala Land’s newest Samsung Performing Arts Theater welcomes you back home.
After a long pause, Ayala Land is finally bringing shows back onstage in a new, sophisticated, and very accessible venue. The Samsung Performing Arts Theater is conveniently located in Circuit Makati, thus bringing both local and international productions closer to more Filipinos. The theater will soon host two major productions. “Mula sa Buwan,” a reimagining of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac. It will be followed by “We Will Rock You,” which is a post-apocalyptic rock-powered musical featuring Queen’s greatest hits. The show dates begin on August 26 and October 27 respectively.
Staying true to its promise, Ayala Land initiated the completion of the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati to further enrich Filipino lives. Makati is Ayala Land’s flagship estate that promotes a healthy balance of live, work, and play. While one of its nodes which houses the theater, Circuit Makati, is committed to being the center of arts, culture, and entertainment. The new theater was meticulously engineered to wow audiences of all ages. Upon entering the ground floor, guests can take a scenic route through the long escalators to the fifth floor, where the ticket outlet is stationed. The high ceilings and windows exude a feeling of grandness, while featuring various artworks—including an artwork by Jaime Zobel de Ayala at the main hall.
Each level—from the orchestra to the balcony floors—has its concession area and restrooms to accommodate guests. The concessionaires are staffed by Chef Gilbert Pangilinan of Kai Restaurant.
Stepping into the auditorium, one is welcomed by a grand atmosphere that is combined with warm interiors. All 1,500 seats guarantee a good view of the stage to optimize the viewing experience.
After the show, guests can drop by the gift shop on the third floor for exclusive merchandise that they can keep as memorabilia of their one-of-a-kind theater experience. Meet and greet opportunities can be held in the Cua Patrons Lounge located on the seventh floor.
In addition, Ayala Land made investments to ensure the safety of performers by installing Harlequin© sprung floors—a special type of flooring that reduces the risk of dancers from getting injured through impact, slipping, or falling. In fact, the Samsung Performing Arts Theater is proud to be the only performance stage in the country to date that has the state-of-the-art Harlequin© sprung floors. Moreover, this theater has its own Rehearsal Hall. With dimensions as big as the actual performance stage, talents can confidently rehearse to master every turn, every line, every timing, as if it were already showtime.
“The Samsung Performing Arts Theater was thoughtfully designed to bring arts and culture to the forefront for the enjoyment and enrichment of many Filipinos. Aside from the audience, we also took our collaborating partners and talents into consideration to ensure that they would feel safe and comfortable as they perform and rehearse in our facilities. We wanted to introduce a theater is at par with global standards in Makati to further solidify its position as the leading city for arts and culture.” shares Christopher Mohnani, Managing Director of the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.
“It’s been too long since we have last seen a show on stage. We are very excited to finally unveil the newest arts and cultural hub that will bring many people back home—and without having to travel far to get there!” says Mel Ignacio, Vice President and Head of Ayala Land Makati Estate. She continues, “Arts and culture is very integral to what Ayala Land stands for. We are here to enrich lives, and with that, we continue to curate a vibrant entertainment scene in Makati that would bring big smiles to many Filipinos.”
Profile: Samsung Performing Arts Theater Managing Director
Christopher Mohnani is an artist, administrator and an advocate.
Originally from Makati City and an artist since his younger years, he started his professional dancing career in 1993, and continued to perform in Russia and the United States performing numerous principal and lead roles in some of the world’s best stages up until his retirement in 2010. In 2004, he started his work as an arts administrator with Asian American Performing Arts Society in Tennessee. Since then, he has been affiliated with Dance Theatre of Tennessee, Ballet Manila, Maybank Performing Arts Center, The Crucible Industrial Arts Center USA, Dance St. Louis and the Touhill Performing Arts Center. He has been honored and recognized with the Individual Artist Award from the Tennessee Arts Commission, Outstanding Leadership in the Arts from the Nashville LGBT Chamber, “40 Under 40” from the Nashville Business Journal, Leadership in Arts and Entertainment from Nashville Chamber of Commerce, “Movers in the Arts” from the Tennessean and Outstanding Achievement in the Arts from Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.
Currently finishing his MBA to add to his Mathematics and Law degrees, he continues to focus on diversity, outreach and making his art and his passion as accessible to as many people as possible.
Around 2012, with Arts and Culture being a key component to solidify Makati’s status as the city that celebrates creativity, ALI announced plans to convert the old Sta. Ana race track into what would be known as the Arts, Entertainment and Culture District of Makati. In the past, the race track has provided entertainment for generations of horse-racing aficionados. Now, Ayala Land intends to preserve the district’s entertainment equity by bringing in a multi-faceted form of entertainment, one that is both interactive and world class.
Located at the heart of the city, this 22-hectare integrated, mixed-used lifestyle district in Makati will give a new definition to arts, culture, and entertainment for all. With its intent on family focused entertainment, this exciting township development has launched several projects that very well positions itself as the center of arts and culture in Makati. Circuit Makati offers citizens, young and old, multiple ways to enjoy a rich and diverse artistic lifestyle. From the flexible and multi-use black box theater Power Mac Center Spotlight, to the dynamic and exciting outdoor concert venue Circuit Events Grounds, to the relaxing and inspiring Circuit Arts Lane, to the soon to rise international contemporary arts museum Contempo, Circuit Makati is a one stop place where something amazing is sure to be always on.
Anchoring this exciting and diverse estate is the state-of-the-art Samsung Performing Arts Theater. Designed by US-based consultants, Theatre Projects Consultants, and experts on sound design, Akustiks, in partnership with GF & Partners Architects and world-renowned architects from Calliston RTKL, the Samsung Performing Arts Theater is a 1,500-seater landmark performance facility built to provide a home for the Filipino, international and global talent. A venue that celebrates artistry at its finest, nurtures promising local artists, and promotes accessibility of the performing arts to all. Whether planning a musical or a concert in the acoustically stunning main auditorium or a cocktail party at the JZA Sr. Hall, the Samsung Performing Arts Theater can provide a perfect venue that exudes modern elegance and sophistication with amenities that are at par with theaters and performing arts facilities around the world.
Pro-Filipino, International Standards, Sophisticated and Inclusive are some of the brand identities that define the space. Centrally located that is easily accessible by foot, public transport and/or private vehicles with myriad lifestyle and recreational options within its immediate vicinity. Numerous parking spaces with even some having immediate and direct access to the building. Upscale hotel, residential offerings and office spaces around the area with more being developed provides an overall one stop artistic hub for everyone.
Working with the same team behind one of the leading theater design consultants in the world with portfolios that includes major theaters in New York’s Broadway and London’s West End, not to mention some of the most iconic theaters in Asia including Singapore’s Esplanade and the Hong Kong Cultural Center, Samsung Performing Arts Theater boasts of state of the art back of house technical facilities, international front of house amenities and one of a kind features that distinguishes it from the other performing arts facilities in the country.
It has been some 30 years when Makati last a had a full standalone performing arts facility with the Rizal Theater. Considered back then and by many as an elegant and plush theater consistent with the aesthetic of the Ayala Center, Rizal Theater was the place to be for cinema and arts in the city. Soon, after some 60 years since Rizal Theater was built, the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati will rise and will be the center of everything arts and culture within the district and will further position ALI’s consistent vision of a city with a soul, enriching lives through the arts.
Text and images courtesy of CPAT Official.
