Indian theatre was on the rise, and indeed, it was thriving, before Covid knocked on the casting director’s door, asking for a part
Action, action, action! When you hear these three words together, what comes to mind? Aside from cinema, theatre is a thriving ecosystem with a variety of tasks and obligations to put on a fantastic display in front of an audience. Contrary to common belief, career opportunities in theatre extend beyond acting. Though actors are essential to the theatre, they are never sufficient on their own. Theatre entails the coordination of several job positions, some of which work behind the scenes, in order to leave an indelible impression on the audience of their hard work.
The first thing to understand about theatre is that it isn’t just a bunch of artsy types coming up with crazy ideas, writing easy and complicated scripts or dull dialogues, and hanging out all day debating philosophy and poetry while wearing jholas and kurtas and flaunting beards. However, there are a few disillusioned voices on the other end of the continuum of optimism that is both bubbling and tempered, who believe that theatre still has a long way to go before it becomes a mainstream art form in the country. Ananya Sen, a veteran of many productions and a member of a few theatre groups in the region, is unambiguously pessimistic about the future of theatre in the city, though she acknowledges that certain parts of the country have ideal conditions for it to flourish.
The outlook varies depending on the situation and the person. However, it appears that theatre has made significant inroads in the minds of the young in terms of considering it as a serious career choice, and that it has become viable in some parts of the world. After all, there’s nothing quite like earning a living doing something you really enjoy.
To thunderous cheers, the curtain came down. The display was a success, and the joy that swelled within me as we bowed together, humbled by the love that had been showered upon us, could not be measured. I knew I’d have to do this for the rest of my life. This is who I am at my heart.
It is valid to the degree that people who aspire to be in the spotlight can experience the intense highs and lows that this career entails. There will be days when you have no job and times when you are completely overworked. Although advanced training is not required to pursue a career in drama, it might be a good idea to pursue a degree to hone your skills and learn tricks of the trade from experienced artists and skilled thespians. The number of schools offering formal drama and performing arts education is increasingly growing, with industry professionals taking a keen interest in grooming potential actors and trade technicians.
