The Sandbox Collective’s ‘People, Places & Things’ Staged Reading Announces Full Cast

The Sandbox Collective’s ‘People, Places & Things’ Staged Reading Announces Full Cast

The Sandbox Collective has completed the cast for its upcoming staged reading of Duncan Macmillan’s People, Places & Things, running for a strictly limited engagement this August.

The production marks the directorial debut of The Sandbox Collective artistic director Sab Jose. It follows Emma, a successful actress whose life begins to unravel as she seeks treatment for addiction at a rehabilitation center. Alternating in the lead role are Bela Padilla and Gabby Padilla.

“Since our inception, advocacy theater has been at the heart of The Sandbox Collective’s identity. Following our production of Spring Awakening in February, Duncan Macmillan’s People, Places and Things continues our commitment to bringing difficult yet necessary conversations to the stage and beyond—expanding our reach, fostering understanding, and helping normalize discussions that matter most,” Jose said.

Bela Padilla makes her theatrical debut in this year’s staged reading of People, Places & Things. She is a Filipino actress, host, singer, writer, and director best known for her roles in television dramas on GMA and ABS-CBN, as well as the films 100 Tula Para Kay Stella and Meet Me in St. Gallen.

Gabby Padilla is an award-winning theater, film, and television actress recognized for her leading role in the coming-of-age film Billie and Emma and the Cinemalaya film Kono Basho. Her recent theater credits include I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Tiny Beautiful Things.

Joining them are Jake Cuenca as Mark, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as the Doctor, Therapist, and Mom, and Audie Gemora as Paul and Dad.

Completing the cast are Robbie Guevara as Foster; Reb Atadero as T; Brian Sy as Shaun and Mark (understudy); Mariella Laurel as Laura; Pamela Imperial as Charlotte; Miel Abong as Jodi; and Salve Villarosa van Schoonhoven as the Narrator, who also serves as the production’s dramaturg.

First staged at the Dorfman Theatre at the National Theatre in London in 2015, People, Places & Things follows Emma as she enters a rehabilitation center and confronts addiction, memory, and the difficult process of recovery. Through her journey, the play explores identity, truth, and the blurred boundaries between performance and reality.

The Sandbox Collective’s staged reading of People, Places & Things will run for four performances only on August 15 and 16, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at The Black Box at the Proscenium Theater. Ticketing details will be announced soon.