Masterclasses

DRAMATIC SPEECH: DIALOGUES AND MONOLOGUES (PART 1, 2, 3)

By Amitabh Srivastava

Description: In this META workshop, actor and writer Amitabh Srivastava guides participants in mastering the effective and dramatic delivery of stage dialogues and monologues.

Facilitator Bio: An alumnus of the  National School of Drama, Amitabh Srivastava has been acting on stage since 1971 in plays directed by eminent theatre personalities such as E. Alkazi, B.V. Karanth, Satyavrat Sinha, Fritz Benewitz, Barry John, Ranjit Kapoor, Devendra Raj Ankur, M.K. Raina, & Amal Allana. He has acted in more than 100 plays. Founder Member of Delhi’s prestigious theatre group Sambhav, he was  nominated in the Best Actor category in Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards, 2007. Besides theatre, have also acted in many films and TV serials under the direction of reputed directors like Basu Chatterjee, Richard Attenborough, Govind Nihlani, Dev Benegal and Priyadarshan. The disciplines of writing  & scripting have always been his forte and he has adapted major world classics of drama like The Fool, The Tempest, Good Woman of Setzuan, The Visit, Hedda Gabler, The Odd Couple  and many others. He is a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Acting in 2011. 

PHYSICAL THEATRE

By Maisnam Joy Meetei

Description: A META workshop in which Maisnam Joy Meetei, a theatre actor and yoga practitioner, guides participants in an exploration of the intricate connection between movement and acting.

Facilitator Bio: Maisnam Joy Meetei, a 2008 graduate of the National School of Drama, attributes his theatre education to the eminent Guru Late Sanakhya Ebotombi. He holds a certification in Devising Theatre and Performance from the London International School of Performing Arts. Additionally, Joy is trained in Yoga, Thang–Ta, Kalaripayattu, Chhau, Silambam, and kickboxing.

Bunraku Workshop

By Anurupa Roy

Description: In this META workshop, puppeteer Anurupa Roy explores the fascinating process of bringing inanimate objects and dolls to life. Participants will delve into the fundamental principles of puppet movement, including an understanding of anatomy, breath, and the role of eyes. The session involves hands-on activities, as you will get to create your own puppets using simple materials like old newspapers and brown or duct tape. The focus will be on learning to move puppets in trios, offering a practical and engaging experience. 

Facilitator Bio: Anurupa Roy is a puppeteer, puppet theatre director and puppet designer. She is the founder and managing trustee of The Katkatha Puppet Arts Trust, Delhi. She has a diploma in puppet theatre from the University of Stockholm and has been trained in traditional glove puppetry from the School of Traditional Glove Puppetry in Naples. She has been a guest faculty at the World Arts and Cultures at UCLA. A recipient of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar – a National Award for contribution to puppet theatre by the Government of India - she is currently one of the Trustees of UNIMA puppeteers Trust India, the Indian chapter of the Union Internationale de la Marionette.

Materials required
Old newspaper - 2-3 full dailies
Brown tape or duct tape - 1.5 or 2 inches.

Text, Truth and Transformations

By Swaroopa Ghosh

Description: In this META workshop, actor Swaroopa Ghosh assists attendees in exploring the interplay between individual perspective and performance, aiming to render it universally relatable.

Facilitator Bio: Swaroopa Ghosh, an actor and trainer by profession, has been performing and training aspiring actors for nearly 45 years. She was trained by the late Shri Ebrahim Alkazi and worked with various eminent directors. She taught theatre at The British School and actively participated in children's theatre. In the past few years, alongside theatre, she started working in films and web series to expand her repertoire as an actor. Besides India, she has performed in various international festivals too.

Sonic Explorations for Imaginative Storytelling

By Baan G

Description: This interactive META workshop on sound exploration delves into the creative potential of sound as a tool for imaginative narrative construction. Led by musician, composer, producer and sound Designer, Baan G, participants will embark on a journey through the diverse landscape of soundscapes, exploring how various auditory elements can shape and enhance storytelling in theatrical performances. Through hands-on exercises and collaborative activities, attendees will:
Learn fundamental techniques for creating and manipulating sound effects using everyday objects and digital tools.
Experiment with voice modulation, foley artistry, and musical compositions to evoke emotions and enhance the atmosphere of a scene.
Discover how sound can convey character traits, setting details, and plot developments.
Explore the symbiotic relationship between sound and other theatrical elements.

Facilitator Bio: Baan G is a New Delhi-based interdisciplinary artist with over two decades of experience in music, sound design, composition, and production. He has studied Bass Guitar under legendary bass players Gary Willis and Karl Peters and is currently studying experimental music with Michael Harrison. He has contributed to critically acclaimed projects in film, documentaries, live shows, and interactive media, and has performed and recorded worldwide with renowned artists and musicians. Baan G is the founder of Dastaan LIVE (a political art rock live performance project) and WIP Labs (a curatorial collective based out of New Delhi). He teaches a course on Sound Design and Creative Music Exploration at Ashoka University, and SACAC, Shri Ram Centre of Performing Arts (Mandi House) and is also the Managing Trustee of Aagaaz Theatre Trust, an arts-based non-profit in New Delhi.

Directing and Re-Directing

By Mohit Takalkar

Description: Embark on a transformative journey with award-winning director Mohit Takalkar in this immersive META workshop. Explore his distinctive directorial style, delve into scene building, and co-create with fellow participants. This workshop will introduce you to Takalkar’s expertise, helping in gaining invaluable insights on play creation and the art of directing!

Facilitator Bio: Mohit Takalkar, trained as a professional chef, set up Aasakta in Pune in 2003. He has directed more than thirty-five plays in Marathi, Hindi, English, Urdu, Kannada, and Marwari. His first play was Girish Karnad’s Yayati. Some of the other notable plays include: Hunkaro, Chaheta, Mosambi Narangi, Comrade Kumbhakarna, and more. His debut feature as a director, The Bright Day premiered at the Toronto International festival. His awards include Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, Homi Bhabha Fellowship, Shankar Nag Theatre Award, Sahitya Rangbhoomi Fellowship, Maharashtra State Award, and more. He has won two Best Director Awards at META , and Ghanta Ghanta… is his 9th play at META.