Theatre treat for children

What is Kidz Connect all about?
Kidz Connect Entertainment aims to provide an innovative and interactive experience to children through theatre. Our mission is to create an opportunity for kids to experience their imagination and to bring to life what children envisage in a meaningful way, which will give them something to smile and laugh about.

How did Kidz Connect happen? What was your inspiration behind Kidz Connect?
Prior to this, I was working in a corporate set up. After my son, Avyay, was born, I realised that I both wanted to and needed to spend more time with him, but given my profile I had a great deal of stress and no time for my family. So, I decided to quit.

Kidz Connect happened over coffee with Bhavisha Shah and Shilpi Mehta, the other promoters of the brand. All three of us have young kids and wanted to do something in the children's space. We were, however, not interested in coming up with yet another workshop or class but wanted to provide quality entertainment for children.

What are your views on theatre for kids?
Though inspiring work for children is being done by some theatre practitioners in India, there is still a lot of scope for introducing entertaining and enriching theatre for children, which should be simple yet interesting. It should provide them with an experience that stimulates their imagination and entertains them. It is heartening to see awareness being generated among people in India about theatre as part of children's education and its positive impact on the young audience. 

Children are smitten by screens and gadgets. How do you think Kidz Connect can engage them in theatre?
We are looking at creating a direct emotional connect with kids by bringing their favourite stories and characters alive through theatre. Theatre connects to the importance of reading. A play has the ability to make a story jump off the page and bring it to life. This works for regular bookworms as well as reluctant readers. Part of it is that what happens onstage is very similar, in a way, to play acting and role playing–something all children love.

People often think that anything will go for a children's production–that is totally wrong and unacceptable. A lot of thought needs to go into the  content and visualisation. Children are the most smart audience; they are clear and usually quite vocal about what they like and what they don't. So, it has to be the very best. With children spending a lot of time watching TV, there is a strong need for quality children's entertainment–something that engages them and makes them participate. We wish to bring about that change and provide a fresh approach towards kid's entertainment

Tell us about your journey.
We launched with Elf For A Day  last Christmas. We take pride in producing, conceptualising, designing and directing a show of international brand and standards completely in India using Indian talent. Since none of us have prior experience in theatre production, things often get really challenging, but the final outcome makes us feel happy and fulfilled.

How do you juggle between the three of you?
Bhavisha, Shilpi and I are friends first and colleagues later. We have a good understanding as well as a great working relationship. We are ready to pool in for each other during times of stress or filial obligations. While all three of us overlook the production, Bhavisha manages the operations, while Shilpi and I take care of marketing and finance.

Do your children attend these shows? How does their feedback/ reaction help you?
Our children attend all the shows. Our kids are in the 5-8 years age group. They are our inspiration as well as our main critics before a show goes live.  

Event details:
Show: A Twisted Tale in Dillydale – A Mr. Men Little Miss Live Show
Time: 11 am
When: January 26
Venue: YB Chavan Auditorium  
Tickets: Rs 500-1500
Bookings: Toddler Activity Centre on 9987407237 and 022-24914141/42;
www.bookmyshow.com