Theatre in Education

‘Theatre in Education’ is a new idea altogether. Usually the children only play in Annual Drama of their school, which carry mythological subjects and played in traditional forms. One of the teachers in every school would direct their plays. Even though there is a professional college for educating theatre techniques, there is hardly any example of “Theatre in education” using professional skills in Orissa. However there is an effort by voluntary agencies to make the educational system joyful by using art forms like song, dance, sometimes theatre within the school or class room etc.. Natya Chetana offers training to school teachers basing on Sundergarh (1992-1995) experiences.

EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT OF 1992-1995

Experimental project named “CHILDREN” AT THE FRONT” done in Sundergarh during 1992-1995 in collaboration with a local youth club.

Natya Chetana opened Children Theatre Centers in 12 villages.

Theatre as a personality building exercises experimented with the children to break their silence & build self confidences by doing theatre games and developing own theatre performances.

The idea also was to get the reaction of the children. They did very well in school examinations and left going to private coaching centers for which the local teachers revolted against this project.

Natya Chetana always has been interested for keeping children character in its theatre productions to involve child artists for giving them theatre experiences.

WAITING FOR FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

• TRAINING TO SCHOOL TEACHERS FOR MAKING THE CLASSROOM EDUCATION A JOYFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR THE CHILDREN.
• HOLDING SUMMER CAMPS AND OTHER SIMILAR THEATRE CAMPS FOR THE CHILDREN.
• MAKING A MOVEMENT FOR KEEPING DRAMA TEACHERS IN SCHOOLS.