Cast interviews: Creating the sounds of ‘STOMP’

LONDON, United Kingdom – They’re back for another loud round of sound. 

Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and Concertus Manila bring back STOMP after a highly successful run last year at the CCP Main Theater from June 17 to June 22, 2014. The foot-stamping ruckus will leave you thrilled and in awe at how ordinary objects are ingeniously used to create sound. 

In a recent press trip to London, I sat down with two of the 8 cast members, Emma King and Hugo Cortes, who generously shared with Rappler their STOMP journey.

King has been with the production for only 7 months now and has no background in dance whatsoever. She specializes in percussion and rehearsed diligently for two months starting out with lots of  “triplettes,” which is the most basic form of rhythm in STOMP. “There are no words in it at all. For anybody who’s ever tapped anything or anytime listened to music at all, You have to come see the show to really enjoy it!” she says of the show. 

King says it’s been a challenge all throughout as she is continuously adjusting to the demands of the show, which are not just physical but require extreme mental concentration.  When I asked her about her coming to the Philippines she enthusiastically says she looks forward to trying the food in Manila when she arrives.

Cortes, who is Brazilian, has been with the production for 7 years now and recalls asking for an audition right away after seeing the show. He is a trained ballet dancer and confesses that being part of STOMP has been the best part of his career thus far.

The physical demands however can be taxing, as he still wakes up each morning feeling sore from the performance. But Cortes says it’s worth it, because even without words, STOMP is relatable to all ages, young and old. – Rappler.com

Tickets for Stomp are available on Ticketworld, running at the CCP Mainstage from June 17-22, 2014.