Joreen on being Kim and sharing her talents on Tiktok
If there is one international stage musical that cemented its status in Filipino pop culture, it is “Miss Saigon.” The play led by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil, and Richard Maltby Jr. about the romance between a US marine and a young Vietnamese bargirl set in the ‘70s Vietnam War has given an avenue for Filipino thespians to showcase their talents abroad. Among them is Joreen Bautista, who became the alternate for the role of Kim in the UK tour of the award-winning musical from 2017 to 2019.
While theater, especially in the Philippines, has mostly been in hibernation due to the pandemic, Joreen like other thespians found new platforms to share their talents and inspire others. In her case, it’s through mini clips shared on social media platform Tiktok. With more than one million likes and thousands of followers, the young singer is a joy to watch as she gives her soulful take on beloved songs, from Disney anthems to Broadway tunes.
In today’s edition of Manila Bulletin Lifestyle’s Featured Young Artist, Joreen looks back on her journey as a theater actress, portraying Kim on stage, and the magic courtesy of her performances on Tiktok.
First off, how are you during the pandemic? What kept you busy in the last two years?
I have been well! I am currently a junior college student so I have been very much occupied with academic work over the last two years. On top of that, I would find time to sing, film my singing, paint, play the piano, and read.
What inspired you to be a thespian? Was this your dream when you were young?
I grew up watching musicals and listening to their soundtracks! I was always drawn to the storytelling behind all the music and the singing—this was definitely a dream when I was younger.
How was the experience portraying Kim for the UK Tour of ‘Miss Saigon’? What was most challenging about it and what is your fondest memories during the tour?
Playing the alternate to the role of Kim in the UK Tour of Miss Saigon was the grandest chapter of my life. I guess the biggest challenge on the artistic side of things was finding the version of Kim who grows up in the latter part of the show. I was 17 years old when I started out and knew nothing about the challenges of motherhood. Telling the story of a mother who would give anything for her child and embodying the sacrifice she was so ready to give him was difficult.
There was also a challenge in the more personal aspects, particularly living on my own in a new country at 17 years old. Cooking for myself, doing my own laundry, and using public transportation were all sort of new to me at that time. It was not easy having to learn all that while balancing my homeschooling (I was taking online classes for 12th grade)!
It is difficult to pick only a few of the fondest memories as the two years on tour had been eventful, both on and off stage. But if I were to force it, I would say the fondest memories had to do with bonding with the cast. On a nice summer day, we would have a barbecue in someone’s backyard and play charades. In the winter, we’d go ice skating in Winter Wonderland or shop at a Christmas Market. I also remember celebrating my Disney-themed 18th birthday in Cardiff, Wales where the cast and I dressed as Disney characters. Each stop of the tour held memories I still vividly remember. I still hold on to them and think about what a dream it has all been.
You’ve portrayed numerous characters onstage now, but is there a dream role you wish to tick off your bucket list?
My absolute dream role would be Christine Daaé from the “Phantom of the Opera.”
We love that you call yourself Filipina Disney Princess on Tiktok. Did Disney Princesses influence you growing up?
Absolutely! I adored each and every one of them. I grew up looking closely at how they speak, how they move, and how they respond to what is thrown at them. I remember forcing my parents to buy me Disney Princess dresses so I could mimic them in character. I’d sing their songs all day and I would articulate their lines!
I would dream of horse-drawn carriages, magic spells, talking animals, and whatnot. Disney gave me the kind of world my little strong imaginative mind so longed for. It made it real.
While the Disney Princesses all displayed varying personalities, I remember generally being very much drawn to their beauty, their bravery, and their grace. My hope is to own what I’ve been told by many, I started to act and sound like a Disney Princess myself and I carried it up until this day. I hope to spread the kind of magic that inspired me when I was younger through their music.
@joreenb Ariel dreams #fyp original sound - Joreen Bautista
How did people react to your TikTok posts?
They would not believe it was me singing! From what I am getting from the comments, audiences around my age feel like they are being transported to their childhood just by watching my videos. That kind of magical and nostalgic feeling was really what I was going for!
What is your advice to anyone going to an audition?
Number 1: To come prepared.
Number 2: To be open and listen to the creative team well.
Number 3: To enjoy it. There are more NOs than there are YESes in this industry. If you know you had fun in the audition process, at least auditioning would have been a gain for you no matter the result.
How do you see theater now in our *almost* post-pandemic world?
I believe the long-awaited return of musical theater has finally come! Now, more than ever, I feel like there is an even greater importance for such stories to be told.
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