Whew! What a journey it has been, finishing the Level 2, Batch 4, MISF!T acting workshop by Ratan, in September 2009. I finished the Level 1 workshop in June 2006, which brings back so many nostalgic memories. During the interim, I became a professional “audien”, watching plays by others. Something was missing – I had to attend the L2 workshop, which was well worth my time and energy. When I finished the L2 presentation shows, on September 27 and 28, 2009, it was so completely satisfying. It was like savoring a delicious desert, that was previously only in the realm of imagination.

Anyone who has played sports knows what a rush it is to play – it gives you a high, especially with the flow of adrenalin and endorphins. For me, “Theatre Acting” does the same. Classes are only as good as the “Teacher” and how fortunate we were to have been taught by the maestro himself, Ratan Thakore Grant, who packs in the genius of teacher-mentor-friend, all rolled into one. He is my friend outside, but is certainly a taskmaster, who nudges you beyond what you think you can do. It’s serious business in the workshop, the smiles and pleasantries are only a façade for the real work the course is built around. However, it did not seem to feel like coursework, since Ratan’s style was certainly very uplifting and motivating. The dedication that this man has for teaching ranks with some of the highest caliber professors I’ve had the pleasure to interact with, both in India and the US as a student of engineering. I’ve attended the lectures of several Nobel Laureates’ during my student days in the US and Ratan is as captivating as any of them.

Acting is a specialized skill in the performing arts. Just like anything we learn, there is a method and process to acting, especially if you are not a born actor. The L2 course was definitely different from the L1 course. It gave me more methods and processes to utilize in acting. I particularly liked the method/process of using “Recall Memory and Substitute Memory” techniques to bring out some of the basic emotions in acting – fear, anger, sadness, joy, love. The exercises for manipulating physical posture, body balance, voice control and breathing were very useful. For good measure, we had one session of dancing and movement, which was so much fun, that a series of it would in itself make an excellent workshop! An icing on the cake was to develop the confidence and skills to be “In The Moment”, simply meaning that an acting performance blurs the line between make-believe and reality.

After finishing up the L1 and L2 workshops, I definitely feel that I have a set of useful methods, process and techniques to ACT. Whether I can be an effective “In The Moment” actor or an “entertaining actor” depends like all things in life – practice, dedication, perseverance and giving it a whole hearted effort. Ah! I almost forgot – make sure you know the lines in the script!

Cheers to acting and MISF!T.