Dear Ratan,

Here is my long pending (after much procrastination) feedback of the brilliant Misf!t course(s) I was fortunate to be a part of.

Level 1 :

Excitedly we climbed up four floors to the studio on May 3rd 2015, the interview day at 1:45 PM sharp, unsure of what to expect. A five minute conversation with the suave Ratan Thakore Grant, I knew I wanted to be part of this Misf!t community, this family of sorts.

May 16th dawned upon me with jitters and excitement. I can promise you that those feelings- regardless of multiple weekends spent- never fade but only get stronger.

Level 1 in this incredible course primarily deals with learning how to overcome inhibitions, to accept oneself for who you are, unapologetically. It teaches you to have fun, to make light of life, and to learn to trust.

As a person who joined this theatre course not to take up acting professionally but to better understand the workings of the beautiful and subtle world of theatre, you are encouraged to ask questions, and learn more through an open, intellectual conversation.

You learn the basics- how to move on stage, basics of pantomime, improv, and the like.

What is exciting about this course is that it is wonderful fun, and L1 leaves you going home with a tummy ache after all the laughter and merriment.

The grading can be complicated, yes, as it deals with putting together an entire performace as a team. Coordination is super hectic, but honestly, that curtain call with the roaring of a happy audience as background music marking the end of a successful performance makes everything worth it.

Honest advice from an L1 MISF!T alumni – Look no further, Ratan Thakore Grant’s Studio for Acting is the place to be to satiate any theatre/acting cravings.

Don’t miss : Ratan and Venky’s excellent chemistry in making you laugh till you hurt.

Level 2 :

As July 18th, 2015 approached, I was filled with fear. I had spoken to multiple Misf!t alumnis on their feedback of L2, and all of it- to put it subtly- were intimidating, and downright frightening.

Level 1 had been all fun and games. Level 2 was a whole different ballgame.

To put it uniquely, I have never quite enjoyed crying my heart out this much any where else, or any other time.

Level 2, for me, was an experience of a lifetime that I would never trade. Level 2 is exhilarating, raw, powerful, honest.

Level 2 in a nutshell is about honest acting. It focuses on becoming one with the charcter, feeling what they feel, living their life, crying at the character’s past, at their circumstances. Technically, Level 2 teaches you how to form a character. It goes into details, how to develop the character’s physicality, their voice. There is a class extensively on the difference between Comedy and Drama, which funnily enough,helps you understand L1 better.

Most importantly, ‘Bad Day’- your script for the grading. Looks easy enough, but really really is not. I recommend plenty of practice on that one, to know the script backwards and forwards. It’s crucial.

L2 is intimidating because you need to share more than you would ever be comfortable with. You will cry (every weekend), but at the end you heal. For me, Level 2 at Misf!t was catharsis ; a purge. I came out a more trusting, open human being. Positivity resonates from every pore purely because of the immense exposure you gain during these 6 weeks. It sensitizes you to the struggles of the people around you, and makes you a better human being.

Honest advice from an L2 MISF!T alumni – If you want to understand yourself better, and feel a weight lift off your shoulders, please take this up. It’s a beautiful, breathtaking ride.

Don’t miss : Vishal’s adorable (!!!) performance as a differently abled child.

Thank you Ratan for this wonderful opportunity. I am forever indebted to you, and changed by you.

Best,

Anusha