Theatre Insights

The day began with a grounding exercise led by Gowtham Upadyaya, followed by a head-to-toe warm-up. Starting with subtle eye movements and finishing with toe stretches, this routine helped participants become fully present and physically prepared for the day's activities.

Shreedhar Sir led the voice exercise, continuing with sloka recitations and introducing a new chapter. He guided participants on pronunciation, enhancing their articulation skills and attention to vocal detail.

Ravi Kumar Sir then led a dynamic session filled with theater insights through engaging games and discussions. It began with the alertness game, “Ram Says,” designed to keep participants sharp and responsive. In another exercise, “Explore the Places,” participants learned the importance of seizing opportunities—highlighting how overlooked spaces or actions can lead to missed chances, a valuable metaphor for life and theater.

After a short break, Ravi Kumar Sir emphasized vocal projection and control, teaching participants how to modulate the weight and speed of their voices to convey emotion and presence. This exercise evolved into a paired activity focused on body language and physical response during stage interactions.

The group was then divided into four teams for an activity centered on virtual coordination. With eyes closed, team members called out numbers sequentially; if two people called out the same number, their turn would end. This exercise illustrated the importance of non-verbal communication and synchronicity within a team.

To conclude, Ravi Kumar Sir presented a memorable lesson. Drawing a small mark on a whiteboard filled with beautiful drawings, he asked participants what they saw—most focused on the mark. This was a reminder that minor flaws can sometimes overshadow achievements in theater, encouraging participants to be mindful of the details.

The day ended on a positive note with participant feedback and reflections. The session, filled with laughter, learning, and valuable theater lessons, left everyone feeling inspired and enriched.