Can a degree in theatre ascertain your talent in the profession and guarantee employment? There are various views on the matter ranging from agreement to calling it unnecessary.
Can a degree in theatre ascertain your talent in the profession and guarantee employment? There are various views on the matter ranging from agreement to calling it unnecessary.
Shafaat Khan, HOD of the Academy of theatre arts at Kalina University, said that people from all over india throng to the university for their two years masters course and their course is on par with National school of drama. "Out of the 170 candidates we receive, we select 25 for the course. There are auditions, interviews, tests and workshops conducted to choose these students. Every college has theatre training and we are planning to make this Indias first univeristy's repertory too," said Khan who added that the university is hosting the National theatre festival from Mar 22 to mar 29 at the campus.
"Theatre should be a part of our education system. There are millions of people who come to act and join private institutes and classes but what practical knowledge do they have with the degree? Are they being taught on a professional level. Theatre demands reference from books and practical experience. Basic knowledge helps us to hire them as well. So such courses will benefit," said Om Katare, founder of Yatri theatre repertory. He added that theatre has infact become a medium to enter TV and films. "Theatre is not commercially viable and you cant survive with the money you earn here. It is still not considered a profession and known as 'Nautanki' in many parts of the country. My only request to people on world thatre day is to buy a ticket to watch a play," he said.
Salim Arif said that NSD is creating talent for TV and films instead of creating an infrastructure for practising theatre and added that it is only in mumbai where he feels that theatre is a dignified profession. "Why are you training people when there no one to hire them? They are forced to go to govt for grants. They keep opening departments but people have nowhere to go after completing the course. The govt does not wish to push states into having more spaces because they are afraid of the potency of theatre as a medium of communication. How many of the graduates still do full time theatre," he asked. Sam Kerawalla attended the Indian academy of dramatic arts in mumbai which folded up due to lack of funds. It was opened under the auspices of International theatre institute which initiated the world theatre day.
Indian peoples theatre association holds one of the city's most prestigious inter college competitions. Ramesh talwar, director/actor and committee member of IPTA has been with the organisation since 1969. "Theatre should be treated like sports is in schools. You learn about contemporary issues, it teaches you how to enact and think of subjects. Degrees do help as trained people are accepted better. Its true that people dont have much option or employment and if you want to run the kitchen you need to find the means to earn otherwise. They come to theatre to get polished in their art and move to TV and films," he said.
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