The auditorium of Ispat English Medium School, Sector 20 has come alive with energy, imagination, and applause, as the Children’s Theatre Workshop, jointly organized by SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) and the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, continues in full swing. Ever since it has been inaugurated on 12th May the workshop has become a colorful celebration of creativity and cultural pride reverberating with laughter and mimicking sounds, drawing young students into the captivating world of drama.
A dedicated five-member team led by Mr. Jagganath Seth, an alumnus of NSD and Director of the workshop, along with local coordinator Mr. Bhaskar Chandra Mohapatra,has been training young participants in a wide range of theatre techniques.
From the very first day, the children have been immersed in the many layers of dramatic art such as voice modulation exercises that include mimicking snakes, lizards, and monkeys to body movements that portray vivid scenes like fishermen casting nets into the river. The emotional expressions are raw and heartfelt, and the process of character development has introduced these budding artists to the depth and discipline of theatre.
Theatre games have added fun to focus, building teamwork, concentration, and a sense of camaraderie. Movement and voice training sessions emphasize breath control, articulation, and expressive motion, ensuring the students not only speak their lines but live them. The workshop also brings India’s rich folk and traditional theatre forms to life, transporting students into the heart of rural India with stories that resonate with simplicity, emotion, and heritage.
At the heart of this initiative lies a deeper purpose of bringing to light the lives of unsung heroes of India’s freedom movement. This spirit of patriotism was beautifully showcased during the Tiranga Yatra, where 41 enthusiastic students marched with the tricolor in hand, chanting patriotic slogans and igniting the school campus and the surrounding with a vibrant sense of national pride.
The workshop, part of NSD’s nationwide initiative to nurture young talent and promote theatre education, is not merely an acting class but a transformative experience. With more exciting days ahead, many more things are yet to unfold grooming the young talents of Rourkela of dazzle and shine.
