I have watched and appreciated plays for the last 3-4 years, not too many, maybe a couple of times a month. This February a friend who is very interested in performing arts asked me if i was interested in joining a theatre class. I have always been a sucker for the ‘new’, trying out new experiences has been the thing that i try to do.

I did not quite -jump- at the opportunity, making up my mind to register with a bit of hesitation, being classified as an introvert i was a little uncomfortable and resistant to being on stage and actually performing, this was after all a workshop not a theory class. Not long thereafter classes began in earnest, whole saturdays for 2 months being dedicated for the purpose.

The first class began with the pulling of cheeks and air kisses, ending with the ‘bubble gum’ performance. I must say i made more use of my ‘peripheral vision’ than creativity during this performance. Hmm, was i at the right place? Some parts being fun, and others cringe worthy. In the second class for the first time i went up on stage, nervous as hell, and surprisingly i lived through it. Every class took the uncomfortable factor to the next level, whether it was talking to and observing strangers on the street to play them later, walking blindfolded on the street below, ‘rolling over’ fellow course-mates, or touching our noses together. And then of course there were the on stage performances at the end of each class. I still don’t know what it was but something kept me going through it every saturday. I did not miss a single class.

That ‘something’ perhaps was Ratan’s way of connecting the dots between the activity we did, life in theatre and life outside the theatre. He is a very calming influence, with a definite stress on empathy, observation and action in everything we did. This workshop has had a major effect on how i view things around me and my view of myself. Acting, as Ratan put across, is all about honesty – and so can be life. For a long time i have compared and judged people, actions and myself; and it was refreshing to experience Ratan’s almost adamant insistence on not comparing actors against each other, instead just
guiding each one of us to push ourselves in our own different ways. This opened up a lot of new avenues to think independently and express myself. One of the best teachers i have met and studied under.

At the end of the course, last weekend was the first on-stage performance to an external audience for a lot of us in this group. Paired up, we had to prepare our own 3 minute scripts and act out the play in full costume. It was a struggle. Lenoj, Vishal, Venky and Krishi, helped us out with a lot of things. Thanks to them, and Ratan, it was a struggle which ended with exhilaration of a job well done.

And 2 days later, i still wake up dreaming about our final play, Did i counteract? What should i Mime? Hope i am not upstaging the other actor? Am i loud enough? Should i exercise “Ma-May-Me-May …” once again? I have a huge performance hangover and my head is still spinning. I am sure this is not the end.