When acting is child’s play

The programme is targeted at children aged between seven and 14 years

The role that the arts play in shaping a child's evolving mind cannot be emphasised upon enough. That's the premise under which a workshop called The Young Actor's Training Programme will function, starting today. "It's not just for imparting education and knowledge. We aim to impart different skills by the time the child is done," says Suveer Bhambhani, a coach from Anupam Kher's Actor Prepares studio who will train the children in the art form that he is an expert in.

Suveer Bhambhani

Bhambhani continues, "The kids will learn how to communicate, how to put their thoughts across better. They will learn how to work as team members; sometimes, they will have exercises where they lead a team, and they will understand how to get the other members to do what they say." Another aspect of the course is that people from across India can sign up for it. "There is a lot of cross-cultural interaction. A South Indian child will interact with someone born and brought up in Mumbai, who in turn will find out more about someone from Punjab. Their exposure will get wider that way," the coach says.

The programme is meant for children aged between seven and 14, and is spread across 10 online and offline sessions divided into different modules. These modules include working with the body, modulating speech, and expressing emotions. Participants will perform a monologue once it's over to showcase skills they've picked up. Bhambhani shares how he's seen previous participants develop confident personalities and adds that it's thanks to the role that theatre plays in shaping children as they gradually mature into their adult years.

On Today, 4 pm
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Cost Rs 12,500