The UP Repertory Company

The UP Repertory Company (UP Rep) is a non-stock, non-profit student theater organization in the University of the Philippines, Diliman. It and is also the University's Official Performing Group for Philippine Theater.

In 1972, Director Behn Cervantes, a distinguished Filipino thespian here and abroad, established the University of the Philippines Repertory Company or UP Rep as an answer to the University’s need for a socially responsible performing group. Because of the deteriorating social conditions prevalent during the Martial Law period, the company staged productions that mirrored the lives of the Filipino masses, thus, Repleksyon ng Pangangailangan ng Nakararami (RPN).

UP Rep’s wide repertoire of plays were written by highly acclaimed Filipino artists and playwrights. It has mounted plays of National Artists and writers such as Joi Barrios, Romulo Baquiran, Jr., Amelia Lapena-Bonifacio, Rogelio Sicat, Alberto Florentino, Domingo Landicho and Nick Joaquin so as to develop the members in the artistic and technical aspects of theatre.

As a student organization, UP Rep has continually strived to train its members in the art of theatre. Consequently, UP Rep has produced talents, most of whom are successful in their chosen field. Joi Barrios, Bibeth Orteza, Rory Quintos, Ces Quesada, Jon Santos, Angelie Bayani, Ching Arellano, Nick Olanka, Kata Innocencio, Blaise Gacoscos, Eugene Domingo, Stella Canete, Chris Martinez and Enrico Santos are just some of them.

Because of its continuous commitment to Philippine Culture and the Arts, UP Rep was named as the University Performing Group (UPG) in theater, and to date, the only student-theater organization given such title. UP Rep has also received the Wenceslao O. Vinzons Achievement Award for Special Interest Organization (1983), Wenceslao O. Vinzons Achievement Award for Most Outstanding Student Organization (1985), Aliw Awards for Best Cultural Series (1987) and was also a finalist in Cultural Center of the Philippines’ National Drama Competition (1989).

In pursuing its aim to bring theater closer to the masses, UP Rep has performed in a number of venues outside the University. UP Repertory Company is now on its 41st year.