Educational in-theatre experiment @ Prakruti Sundar Shikshan.

Prakruti Sundar Shikshan is an open schooling center — essentially a small school — run by two friends, Prajakta and Nivedita, with the support of parents, children, and the center’s team. Currently, six children are studying at the center.

With the intention of introducing children and parents to the theatre space, a session on the topic “Components of a Theatre” was organized by the center at Sudarshan Rangmanch. After beginning with a lively physical theatre game to loosen up and open minds, an engaging and detailed session on the structure of a theatre followed.

Topics included: stage color, set design, orchestra pit, makeup, hairstyling, costumes, stage structure and its types, forms of acting, green room, lighting and sound design, the play of light and darkness (the function of lighting design), cinema and theatre (similarities and differences), as well as the actor’s body and voice. There were relaxed discussions, Q&A sessions, and explorations of memorization, prompting, working in blackouts, and why a light designer is necessary — all based on the curiosity of children and parents. A common misconception — that actors only perform while helpers manage everything else — was also thoughtfully discussed.

The children also got hands-on experience with different theatre elements. Everyone experienced how one’s own voice sounds different inside a theatre space. This session was not just about learning drama; it was about discovering how much one can learn and enjoy through theatre.

Gauri and I facilitated the session. Along with the theory session, we also presented our play “Kapilene Ghetla Jhoka” as a practical demonstration for the children and parents. It was great fun!

The children and parents of Prakruti Sundar Shikshan dedicated an entire day just to understand the theatre space. The center’s decision to book a theatre and design such a special session — combining education and drama — feels like a meaningful and significant step.

Krutarth Shevgaonkar