THE Sandbox Collective will take the theater by storm when it stages the Tony Award-winning rock musical “Spring Awakening” to kick off its 2026 season.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, August 24, the Manila-based theater company announced that the upcoming coming-of-age rock musical will be held at The Black Box, Proscenium Theater, Rockwell Center in Makati City in February 2026.
Directed by Gawad Buhay nominee Andrei Pamintuan with musical direction by multi-awarded Ejay Yatco, “Spring Awakening” promises Filipino theater fans an “electrifying fusion of rock, rebellion, and raw emotion” that will “shake Manila to its core.”
Joining Pamintuan and Yatco are Nunoy Revlon as choreographer, Missy Maramara as intimacy director, Wika Nadera as set designer, Raven Ong as costume designer, Gabbi Campomanes as assistant director and dramaturg, and D Cortezano as lighting designer.
“Spring Awakening” is The Sandbox Collective’s first production under the leadership of its incoming artistic director, the award-winning actress Sab Jose. She will succeed Toff de Venecia, who announced his temporary departure from the company to pursue his postgraduate studies overseas.
“‘Spring Awakening’ marks the beginning of a new chapter here at Sandbox. While it honors the journey we’ve had in the last decade – the coming of age and constant rediscovery – it also marks a deliberate choice to continue producing shows that are radical, brave, and advocacy-driven,” Jose said in a press statement.
“This show isn’t just about adolescence and sexuality. It’s about reclaiming one’s body, voice and destiny, and most of all, educating and empowering young audiences,” she added.
About ‘Spring Awakening’
Based on the 1891 German play of the same name by Frank Wedekind, “Spring Awakening” follows a group of teenagers in late 19th-century Germany who are going through puberty and discovering their sexuality with little support or guidance from their elders.
The musical debuted on the Broadway stage in 2006, featuring Jonathan Groff, Lea Michele, and John Gallagher Jr playing the roles of smart schoolboy Melchior Gabor, innocent and curious girl Wendla Bergmann, and Melchior’s best friend, Moritz Stiefel, respectively.
It showcased music by Grammy Award-winning composer Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by multi-awarded playwright and lyricist Steven Sater.
The original Broadway production of “Spring Awakening” won eight Tony Awards in 2007, including Best Musical, Best Original Score for Sheik and Sater, and Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for Gallagher. Its West End production also took home four Laurence Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical.
In 2022, the documentary film “Spring Awakening: Those You’ve Known” was released, narrating the 15-year reunion of the “Spring Awakening” original cast and creative team and the challenges they faced, including being “rejected everywhere” and “losing money big time.”
Philippine staging
Meanwhile, further details about the Philippine staging of “Spring Awakening,” including its exact opening date and ticket prices, are yet to be announced. However, The Sandbox Collective said it will hold open auditions on August 31 and September 1, 2025.
Interested applicants must follow these audition requirements:
- Must have previous acting experience
- Must be at least 18 years old to audition
- Prepare one Broadway and one rock song, with varying tempo (32 bars/one minute each)
- Provide minus ones/backing tracks
- Bring CV and headshot
- Register through The Sandbox Collective’s website and complete the form. (Note: Registration period is from August 25 to 28, 2025 only. Those who fail to register won’t be able to audition.)
- Audition date and timeslot will be given via text or e-mail. Applicants must confirm their attendance by replying.
- Be at the venue at least 30 minutes before the assigned timeslot.
Rehearsals for “Spring Awakening” will kick off the last week of November 2025.
Check out the Audition Guide for more information on the requirements for each cast member.
