After 23 years, and a pandemic, the Thespo youth theatre movement’s goal to create a space for the next generation of theatrewallahs remains the same. The format, however, has gone virtual since last year. 

This year’s edition, Thespo 23, expected to begin in December, will commence with an orientation night, The First Call. It’s a night of live performances including a musical and a chat with the alumni. One objective is to announce registration dates, reveal the year’s events, and address queries. Anushka Ghose, mentor at Thespo, says, “It’s a community event. Anyone can attend and explore theatre with child-like curiosity.” In its second year of The First Call and Thespo being a digital event due to the pandemic, the 22-year-old explains how adaptability hinders no creativity, where this digital environment has promoted collaborations, interactions and innovations.Quasar Thakore-Padamsee, co-founder of Thespo, says, “The First Call is about how young people can get involved and find their outlet. It’s about new energy, a new world, new people, and therefore, new ideas.”