Photos by @ed_advincula| @no_name_ph (Kai) and from @makeupbystevencaballeroroloma (Jas)

Kai Montinola and Jas Dudley-Scales are two of the most promising newcomers in showbiz today. As these Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 alums further tap into their facets as artists in the entertainment scene, their mindset is to be like a sponge that absorbs every experience and learning. 

Kai and Jas graced the recent launch of the Star Magic School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SMSCPA), where they chatted with host Ai dela Cruz about the training they received from the Star Magic workshops they attended. 

When asked what SMSCPA (formerly Star Magic Workshops) could contribute to the journey of dreamers or aspiring actors or actresses, Kai opened up about her own experience, saying, "Well, as a non-actor, wala pa akong experience in acting, and entering the Meisner Workshop under Star Magic, it was an experience. Kasi I came to the workshop thinking, 'Oh, I will learn how to act.' Okay, I'll get the notes. I'll write some notes. I'll write this down. I'll read over it and then learn about it. Pero, the workshop itself, as I said, was an experience. We didn't just go through learning the technicalities; we learned even emotionally. Our coach for the Meisner Workshop is coach Alecx [Lorica]."

Coach Alecx Lorica is among the SMSCPA teachers, and she is in charge of the workshops for Teens & Adults Acting; she is the founder of Sightlines Actors' Space. Joining her in this category is acting coach Marcel David, who specializes in the Meisner acting technique. 

Kai, who recently had a stint on the series Saving Grace, gave a shoutout to coach Alecx, sharing, "Si coach Alecx talaga, she was very careful with the words to say, the environment that you're surrounded by. She was very careful with how you should feel and how the act [would] affect you personally. Kaya lagi [niya] sinasabi sa amin that we must truthfully act. Act truthfully, gano'n."

Her enthusiasm for acting shows in the way she passionately shared her takeaways from the workshops. "Whatever the scene makes you feel, feel it," she continued. "Be open to it. And du'n ko nga na-appreciate that acting isn't just about pretending, or acting isn't just about having to lie and read a script. It's more of how you perceive the character—the role that you're playing—how you would react to it, how you, yourself, as the player [or] the actor, would perceive the role that you're playing."

Photo from Star Magic

Jas echoed what Kai said and shared her thoughts about training with coach Alecx, who helped her curb her tendency to overthink. "I'm not imaginative because I'm very realistic," Jas said. "So, doing the Meisner Workshop, with the help of Coach Alecx, she pushed me to my limits. Like, you have to be imaginative; you have to let go and accept your partner, accept the feelings, and be open to [them]."

This dreamer from PBB: Gen 11 also appreciated how the workshop goes beyond the acting technique as it also contributes to self-discovery. "It's not just about acting. It's about getting to know myself even more, on a much deeper level, so that when I have a character, I can relate to that character even more, and I can show the truthful way of how you should react," Jas shared.

Also worth mentioning for Jas is the environment they're put in—it encourages people to embrace learning and growth. "It's a secured space," she noted. "There's no judgment in what we do." The name "Star Magic" can be intimidating, but Jas said that the creative space the talent management provides is somewhere one can feel safe, secure, and motivated. Jas said, "It makes me want to strive even more... I'm more in love with learning the craft even more."

While Kai and Jas are excited about what's to come for them in the acting world, they also don't want to rush things and dive into a project ill-equipped. "I don't want kasi na masalang din ako na I'm not 100 percent confident and ready that I can do it," Jas said, joking about leaving it up to Star Magic head Laurenti M. Dyogi's plan. "It's a dream of mine. This is one of the reasons why I'm here. So, in my own time, in God's plan."

"I would very much want to perfect the craft muna before isalang din," Kai expressed. "Kasi, s'yempre, just like what Ate Jas said, in this industry, there are so many talented actresses and actors, and I wouldn't want to put myself out there even if I knew I wasn't ready. So, I really want to learn more about acting."

On the topic of dream roles, Jas said she's open to trying out everything but specified that a kontrabida role would be exciting. "Siguro sa horror lang tayo aatras nang konti. Matatakutin ako, baka madala ko. Hindi ko ma-let go," she laughed. 

Kai, on the other hand, dreams of being cast in a sci-fi movie. But for now, she said, "I would want to be in a rom-com."

Photo from Star Magic

The Star Magic School for the Creative and Performing Arts offers Acting Workshops (Kids Basic Acting, Kids Advanced Acting, Meisner Beginner: Acting Foundation, and Meisner Intermediate: Scene Work), Voice Workshops (Voice Basic Workshop and Voice Advanced Workshop), Pop Shop which combines dance and vocal sessions (levels 1 to 3, open to 13 - 35 years old), and Dance Workshop for kids and teens (Basic and Advance, open to 6 - 16 years old). 

Other offerings include Character Building, Theater Acting, Directing (for non-narrative formats and live shows), and Music Video Production.

Register now and join the on-site orientation on the following dates: March 29, 30, April 5 and 6 (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) at the 6th floor DTC Building, ABS-CBN.

For more information, check Star Magic SCPA’s registration link.

Lead photos by @ed_advincula| @no_name_ph (Kai) and from @makeupbystevencaballeroroloma (Jas)