Imitation & Imagination

The Session was conducted by Surabhi Vasisht, Actor, Director, and Founder of the team Namkampani. Starting with a grounding exercise, the session quickly moved into energizing team-building games like the "Cat Palm" game, which enhanced participants’ alertness, listening, and concentration. Another exercise emphasized decision-making as participants grouped themselves according to called-out numbers, reinforcing teamwork and coordination. The session concluded with warm-up exercises, followed by a brief break where participants reflected on key concepts learned.

The voice exercise, conducted by Shreedhar Kumar, focused on reciting texts to improve vocal clarity and strength. Participants practiced selected passages from printed handouts, repeating each line three times to refine their delivery, articulation, and resonance.

The final session returned to Surabhi, who divided participants into three groups, each named after a Rangasourabha play. They practiced observing and exaggerating mannerisms during walking exercises to understand body movement in theatre. Surabhi also discussed the role of muscle and bone structure in acting and assigned homework to observe and imitate a person for the next day. The day wrapped up with a discussion on imitation, a questionnaire on participants' theatre experiences, and a final prayer with an assignment to research its author.