It’s gratifying for theatre-makers to perform for children, points out Michaela Talwar, co-founder, Andheri-based Harkat Studios. Parents tend to underestimate their kid’s attention span, but they easily sit through half-an-hour long plays, she notes, adding, “It’s also wonderful to see how much they grasp and comprehend without being prompted.” And to introduce more kids to the magic of theatre, Harkat Studios, along with Extensions Arts, is hosting Baby Theatre Weekend 2021, where they will showcase acts created for children.

“Our idea is to capture and introduce the whole excitement of going to a theatre and of storytelling to kids early on,” admits Talwar. Opening up the world of theatre to children also benefits their development. “For example, as far as attention span is concerned, parents aren’t trained theatre-makers who know how to hold their attention. But [during a play] you realise that if your child wants to learn something, they can sit down and quietly observe. Of course, there’s also creativity. A lot of kids come back home and replay what they’ve seen in a play. It’s a learning experience for parents, too,” she illustrates.