Play in the Sun

And they all make sure that terms like personality development and eco-friendliness are part of the package. “Theatre workshops are as much about personality development as about instilling interest in the stage among children,” says Gaur,who trained a young student called Kangana Ranaut at his summer workshop in 2003. His workshop for students above 15 years is under way at the India Habitat Centre,but registration for another workshop,for nine-to-14-year-olds to be held at the nearby Lok Kala Manch,will start on May 11. Apart from teaching stage right and stage left,Gaur weaves in team-building exercises,body movements and games to help the kids get over their inhibitions and stage fright. The three-week session for juniors comes for Rs 2,500.

Jain sees summer workshops as a place to break stereotypes and social divides. His month-long workshop will have 25 children,among them five special children from the Action for Ability Development and Inclusion (formerly called the Spastics Society of Northern India). “The regular children and the special children will work together. We will try and understand the theme of environmental degradation,encroachment on forest land,and how they impact our lives,” says Jain.

Danish Iqbal of the Sada Arts Society,which has been holding workshops for the past three years,says,“The atmosphere must be playful to help students shake off the stress of today’s competitive world. Apart from acting,the month-long workshop includes dance,yoga and a basic knowledge of the harmonium and sargam.” His workshop from May 11 to June 12 will be held at Natya Ballet Centre at Gole Market. Jain’s and Iqbal’s month-long sessions come for Rs 4,000.

Sukhesh Arora of the Yellowcat Theatre Company will hold a series of two-day sessions in June. “A short workshop is like a sports competition,it pushes students to focus intensely and tackle the pressure of coming up with a performance in a short time,” he says.

All workshops end with a public performance,generally a play evolved by students.

Contact:

Arvind Gaur: 9899650509

Lokesh Jain: 9891155158

Sukhesh Arora: 9811809008

Danish Iqbal: 9868946203

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