Vandana Bhagra, Shimla
The Shimla City will soon buzz with an air of excitement as school students and their teachers will gather at the historic Gaiety Theatre during the upcoming Children’s Theatre Festival 2024, a production of Keekli Charitable Trust. The much-awaited three-day cultural extravaganza set to take place from September 27th to 29th. This event was curated as a sequel to the successful Children’s Theatre Festival Season One, held in October 2023, but with a difference. The festival promises to be a mesmerizing showcase of fifteen awe-inspiring short plays, each an adaptation of a story penned by Himachal’s writers. This celebration of local literature and theatrical talent aims not only to entertain but also to educate and inspire young participants.
The festival has now commenced with a skill-building workshop for the teachers of the participating school teams. The morning sessions featured insightful talks by the Core Team, comprising Sh Srinivas Joshi, Amala Rai and Jawahar Kaul.
The morning began as Sh Joshi captivated the audience with his discourse on adapting stories into scripts. He delved into the intricacies of creative adaptation, emphasizing the importance of writing powerful dialogues while preserving the essence of the original stories. Jawahar Kaul followed, shedding light on the elements of a play script. His expertise in character visualization and overall adaptation left the participants eager to put their newfound knowledge into practice.
In the afternoon session, Amala Rai took the stage to demonstrate the practical aspects of theatre. She showcased how scripts should be performed, highlighting the significance of visual effects, stage layout, and dialogue delivery. Her dynamic presentation breathed life into the scripts, igniting the imaginations of all present.
The creative directors stepping in to work closely with the teams are Kedar Thakur, Rupesh Bhimta, Sohan Kapoor, Naresk K Mincha, Neeraj Prashar and Sanjeev Arora who will bring their unique visions and expertise to the rehearsals that will be held in the respective school premises. Under their guidance, the young actors will hone their performances, transforming the scripts into captivating spectacles.
The Core Teams’ passion and dedication were palpable, as they tirelessly coached the teachers as the theatre buzzed with energy and anticipation to see what lies in the future.
During the three-day theatre festival, Manav Kaul’s PARK directed by Sohaila Kapur will also be featured in collaboration with the Three Arts Club and Katyayani.
The participating School Teams are Blue Bells School, Dhalli, Saraswati Paradise International School, Bhattakuffer, Swaran Public School, Tutikandi, Dayanand School, Kalibari, Lakshay Convent School, Arki, Lakshay Public School, Arki, Laureate Public School, Bharari, Auckland School for Boys, Lakkar Bazar, Chapslee School, Bharari, St Edward’s School, Himland, GMSSS Portmore, Chotta Shimla, Sambhota Tibetan School, Chotta Shimla, Pinegrove School, Subathu, Solan, Pinegrove School, Dharampur and GSSS Kadaur, Shogi.
Team Keekli is highly tankful for the support extended by Language & Culture Department, SJVN Limited, media partner HimachalTonite, Abhivyakti, Bliss Bites, Brews & Books Café and Keekli Media Channel, for supporting the event.
