Sign-up for an immersive, nature-inspired residential theatre workshop in the serene surroundings of Kamshet in Pune district
The workspace and view in Kamshet. Pics courtesy/The Company Theatre
Whenever one thinks of theatre, the mind is immediately flooded with pictures of a stage partly filled with props, empty seats in auditoriums and people running helter-skelter with bits of paper in their hands, or at least this is what college rehearsals showed us. But as it turns out, the stage and space for theatre can be anywhere. Taking the Bard’s famous line to its literal sense, The Company Theatre (TCT) is collaborating with Hyderabad-based stage actor and theatremaker, Bhagyashree Tarke for a residential theatre workshop in the calm and soothing environs of TCT’s workspace in Pune early next month.
Participants listen to instructions during a session at the workshop
“We started this residential artistes’ commune some 12-13 years ago in Kamshet. Whenever it is possible, we call professionals and theatre practitioners from all over the country to host workshops in the space. With proper accommodation and a locality which is surrounded by hills and a lake, it is very calming to learn about an art form like theatre in such a space,” Atul Kumar, artistic director at the company tells us.
Bhagyashree Tarke. Pics Courtesy/Bhagyashree Tarke
With a structure that spans the different forms and types of acting including voice, speech and breath work, characterisation, improvisation, and scene work among others, the workshop intends to push the limits of theatrical possibilities by keeping an open field for all. “The idea is to have an immersive and intensive learning experience with basics and some advanced methods of acting and making theatre. While it helps to have a group of people with basic training in theatre to kick-start the process, anyone who is fundamentally interested in the field and curious to explore such avenues is welcome,” Tarke shares.
Participants interact during an exercise at a previous workshop
The seven-hour-long workshops will typically start early in the morning with physical training and then delve deeper into the subject with sessions that involve interpretative readings of texts from playwrights including Anton Chekhov, Vijay Tendulkar, Mohan Rakesh, and Bertolt Brecht along with classes on psychophysical theatre as well. “In my time in the National School of Drama in Delhi, I learnt and explored so much by living in the same space with my classmates and working whenever we felt the rush of creativity. This opportunity to stay with a group in a residency and have the freedom to work, think and collaborate outside of a schedule, is extremely enriching and joyful. It also helps one connect with other people on an emotional, creative and intellectual level, which is paramount for an art form like theatre,” the 34-year-old actor explains.
Kumar adds, “I have always been very interested in theatre as an art form and providing a space to budding artistes to explore the craft. Not many people get an opportunity to go theatre schools; there are also people who take on acting in the later part of their life and then there are artistes with different abilities who are also exploring the field. Our doors are open for everyone to share their art and learn from each other. Even if one person from the residency goes on to do great work in the field, we will feel fulfilled.”
FROM June 11 to 21; 7.30 am onwards
AT The Company Theatre, Kamshet Maval, Uksan Village, Pune.
EMAIL bhagyashreetarke@gmail.com (for registration)
COST Rs 31000 (inclusive of food and accommodation)
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