Theatre is one of the art forms that encourages children to think out of the box and create characters, and explore diverse scenarios. However, using theatre as a tool in education is something many theatre practitioners, teachers, pedagogists and psychologists are still exploring.
To find ways to integrate theatre into education, Nirdiganta, a theatre incubation centre in K. Shetihalli, Srirangapatana, founded by multilingual cinema and theatre actor Prakash Raj, is having a three-day national conference from December 26 to 28.
Titled ‘Theatre as a tool in education’, the conference will be a discussion on various topics including classrooms as theatre, theatre for toddlers, philosophy for children, theatre as a therapy for children, writing for children, making theatre for young audiences, curriculum drama, integrating creativity into education, creating an anti-oppressive classroom and more.
Actor Prakash Raj addressing children at the Shalaranga Makkala Habba 2024.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Renowned speakers
With 17 topics spread over three days, some of the renowned speakers at the conference are Jehan Manekshaw, Dr. Chandra Dasan, Anita Nair, Sunar Sarukkai Anurupa Roy, Samta Shikhar, Dr. Shekhar Seshadri, Kavya Srinivasan, Nisha Abdulla, Sanyukta Saha, Mala Giridhar, Shaili Sathyu and more.
The conference comes after the successful completion of two projects Shalaranga (School theatre) which aimed to integrate education and theatre, and recruitment of theatre teachers under Shala Rangavikasa(School theatre development project) over one and a half years.
Speaking to The Hindu, Prakash Raj said that the aim of the projects and the conference is to look at theatre as something beyond just acting. “We are trying to find a curriculum, where theatre can be a tool in education. This will help sharpen the perception of children, the way they look at anything in life, boost confidence and more,” he said.
Actor Prakash Raj with children at the Shalaranga Makkala Habba 2024.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
107 schools covered
“The first level of this project was us training theatre actors and directors with a curriculum that included folk stories, puppetry and music. Post that, we chose government residential schools, where these directors and actors were sent. A total of 107 schools were covered in one and a half years. We documented the impact, result and feedback of this project. Post that we had another team follow up in the children and look into how they were doing,” he explained.
Raj said that during the second phase of the project, five districts were chosen. “Five theatre directors were chosen for this and trained. The directors stayed at the residential schools, where they conducted workshops and camps. The directors were asked to make plays for these children, which was showcased during a children’s theatre festival recently in Mysuru. We have documented every child’s behaviour, what impact theatre has had on them, their social skills, focusing skills and the output of this project over the last 6 months,” he added.
Raj said that the seminar will include speakers who have worked for theatre for children for several decades across the country. “We have asked the speakers to come and present various subjects that fall under their expertise. Apart from the speakers, and theatre practitioners, we have invited 20 delegates from across Karnataka to come participate in the seminar, have a conversation and question the practice,” he said.
Beyond the conference
Post the conference, Nirdiganta will be curating all the experiences into a curriculum for children. The conference will be inaugurated by senior theatre and education expert Prof. H.S. Umesh.
Published – December 25, 2024 08:00 am IST
