THIRST FOR THEATRE

“Theatre is the voiceless conversation between the heart and the soul, as each understands the other”

Theatron, the Annual Inter-School Theatre Festival, was organized on the 13th of February by the Expressions Theatre Club of Delhi Public School, R.K.Puram on a nationwide scale. The event saw an immensely enthusiastic  participation of over 30 schools from all across the country. The event was an amalgamation of young, vibrant minds coming together to celebrate the essence of theatre. It was an epitome of victory and a symbol of how passion can be kept alive in the most trying times. 

This year, the event was held virtually wherein the participants had shared pre recorded videos of their acts and the same was judged on the online platform. This year Theatron featured nine distinctive segments namely – Stage-A-Thon, Nukkad ki Goonj, Ads-Act, Poem Enactment, Thespian Coliseum, Prop-o-sition, Mime, Standup Comedy, and Dance Drama. The much awaited, ‘Theatron 2020-2021’ commenced with the auspicious lamplighting followed by a short presentation and Principal’s address. 

Ms Padma Srinivasan addressed the gathering by highlighting the importance of theatre and encapsulating  the essence of ‘stage’ as an emotion that is so much more than just a physical territory which has to be created, experienced, and most importantly, felt. 

She expressed her gratitude towards the jury members for their valuable time and efforts.
She appreciated the efforts of the theatre club and teacher -in -charge for efficiently organizing the event through ardent resourcefulness and providing a platform for theatre enthusiasts from all across the country to unleash their excellence.

This was followed by enlightening words of guidance from each of the accomplished personalities present. The judges commended the school for its respect and adoration of theatre. They highlighted the need for theatre to be used as an educating medium as it inculcates values of creativity,empathy and patience in the students. They advised the students to immerse themselves in the craft while performing and enjoy the process.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Sanya Taneja after which the judgment period commenced.

Theatron consisted of nine sub events with a jury of 18 members. 

Stage-A-Thon (Stage Play) -The prolific Ms. Rajshree Seem and Ms. Kajal Khanna judged the event. Stage-A-Thon offered the greatest union of the art of writing and theatre.Taking the art of storytelling to another dimension of dramatic excellence in three minutes; the act presented an array of emotions. The participants explored their incredible emotive capabilities through dramatic presentations. 

Nukkad ki Goonj( Street Play ) The event was graced by the field expert Mr. Arvind Gaur as the special guest. Ms. Kakoli Gaur Nagpal and Mr. Prince Nagpal were the judges for the event.Nukkad ki Goonj is an art form encompassing entertainment with community education with an aim to spread social messages and create awareness amongst the masses. Passion, energy, ingenuity and emotion on a platform to raise voice defines Nukkad. The participants were given three to four minutes to exhibit their skill and prowess.

Ads Act (Advertisement enactment) Ms. Sukriti Khurana  and Ms. Richa Mohan presided over the event.Ads Act reflected the ingenuity of the media that connect us with the products forming integral parts of our lives. The notion was  to get the audience to engage vicariously with the narrative and enthrall attention to the product; something brilliantly displayed by the young students in three minutes.

Play o Poem(poem enactment) The admirable Ms. Nayana Sagar and Mr. Ravi Raj Sagar judged the participants who invoked myriad emotions and thoughts with pure excellence. The Play o Poem event combined ‘poetry’ and ‘theatre’ in full splendor to exhibit the skills of the accomplished participants. A string of tales open up the trove of emotions for two to three  minutes; the two worlds complementing each other in an enthralling symphony. 

Thespian Coliseum ( Shakespearean monologue) The event was judged by pioneers like Ms. Harriet Raghunathan and Mr. Jobin Thomas .Thespian Coliseum event hailed the legacy of the world’s greatest playwright. Shakespearean monologues are renowned for their emotive expansions and the discreet motives of relatable characters. It was an incredible rendition of the language of theatrical culture in the spare time period of two to three minutes.

Prop-O- Sition (Movie- Making) The event was skillfully judged by Mr. Guneet Singh and Mr. Jatin Suryavanshi. Prop-O- Sition was a recorded movie-making event where participants used visual art to convey the tales of actions’ perceptions and consequences in three to four minutes. A non-linear methodology that has evolved over years. It is an intricate process of communication with abstract props; visual representations; sound and stimulations. 

Mime – The event was presided over by Mr. Tarun Kohli and Mr. Sanjeev Johri; renowned for their emotive magnificence.Mime was a recorded event where silent voices expressed raging emotions and made the invisible visible; all in three minutes. Testing the limits of imaginations; the art strips away the intricacies of speech and allow the raw, powerful nature of human emotion to overpower the heart .

Standup Comedy-The event was judged by theatre practitioners like Mr. Samarth Khanna and Mr. Vasu Anatha Bhardwaj.Standup Comedy was a three minute recorded event; a performance art that employs humor as means to express life and to provide a fresh, funny perspective to circumstances. It can provide the audience with a means to relate and bind; as well as seek solace from their tribulations. The participants credibly displayed well thought-out punchlines and interesting captions in under three minutes.

Dance Drama- The event was presided over by acclaimed dancers and performers Ms. Himani Khurana and Ms. Swati Mittal.Dance Drama was a recorded event where participants expressed famous tales through aesthetic and intricate dance movements in three minutes. Drama and dance have ritually been integral parts of dramatic history since time immemorial.Dramatic dance employs theatrical narrative action to unleash tales that exhibit the very ethos of the lives of the people enshrining it.

VALEDICTORY CEREMONY 

THEATRON 2020-2021

The Valedictory Ceremony for Theatron 2020-2021 was organised on the 27th of February 2021.The event was graced by the presence of the Chief Guest, the much acclaimed literary legend, poet, author,director,scholar and lyricist – Gulzar Sahab. Gulzar Sahab addressed the gathering and emphasized on the importance of theatrical activities in school life, saying that they are as important for the development of an individual’s holistic and well rounded personality, as sports and academics. He delved into the concept of a ‘character’, and threw light on the importance of experiential learning.

He put forth ‘theatre’ as a constant and lifelong companion, putting emphasis on how the life of each and every character played by an individual, gets woven into the life of that very individual. He also complimented Delhi Public School, R K Puram for promoting theatrical activities, and giving the students the much – needed push to pursue their ‘thirst for theatre’, despite the trying times of the pandemic. 

The Guest of Honour Ms Reema Kagti graced the occasion with her presence. She is an eminent film personality, a screenwriter and inspiring theatrical figure. Ms Reema Kagti is an alumnus of Delhi Public School, RK Puram and she was elated to be a part of the event. She was delighted to view the prevalent enthusiasm and the love for the stage displayed by the aspiring theatrists. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude towards the Principal Ms. Padma Srinivasan for inviting her to be a part of the event. She congratulated the theatron team on their constant and continuous efforts. 

The Principal, Ms  Padma Srinivasan addressed the gathering by welcoming the Chief Guest Gulzar Saab and the Guest of Honour Ms. Reema Kagti. She applauded the creative efforts of the participants who have been a part of the theatre festival.She congratulated the students  of the  Expressions theatre Club and the teacher-in charge Ms. Sanya Taneja for hosting Theatron Thirst for Theatre 2020-2021 at the national level through a virtual medium.She introduced the adaption of the virtual play ‘The Proposal’ put up by the students of Expressions Theatre club in collaboration with Digex under her able guidance.

The photos of the winners, along with snippets of the winning performances were displayed.

The valedictory ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the club incharge, Ms Sanya Taneja. She encapsulated the true essence of theatre by quoting Oscar Wilde who stated how theatre is the greatest of all art forms, because it enables a human being to realize what it means to be a human being. She appreciated the love of theatre that dwelt in the heart of every person associated with Theatron 2020-2021.She congratulated the winners and participants, putting forth her heartfelt gratitude before everyone who contributed to the success of this event with such grandeur and fervour, escalating all boundaries posed by the challenging times.