Looking for a Workshops in Social/Political Theatre - Nandita Dinesh

Devakishor Soraisam *

Hi E-pao team.

Few days back, Nandita Dinesh - a theatre professional emailed me requesting some help. She wanted to set up theatre training classes/workshops in Manipur partnering with other existing theatre groups, schools, colleges, et al. She has done impressive work in this field.

I am including the original email she sent me. Please go through it and if you can help by posting this on your site it will be of great help.

If you have any contact with any theatre group in Manipur or any people who might be able to help, kindly pass on their contact details.

Thanks & Regards

Devakishor Soraisam
http://devakishor.com

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ORIGINAL EMAIL FROM NANDITA

Hi Dev,
Thanks for the super quick reply! Have pasted below a blurb that says a little about me and the kind of work I'm looking to do. Have also attached my CV. Any leads you or your friends might have would be great.

Best,
Nandita
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I am a theatre professional from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu and have recently completed my MA in Performance Studies from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. My work in theatre revolves around the use of art as a tool for social and political commentary and as such, I've been involved in theatre projects in Guatemala, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, India and the US - my CV is attached to this email.

I returned to India in January 2009 and have since been working with the Mahatma Gandhi International School in Ahmedabad. However, I am extremely interested in conducting workshops at as many institutions as possible across the nation, especially in the North Eastern states.

The workshops I conduct are to promote the idea that theatre can be a lot more than just entertainment. There is a strong focus on the social applications of theatre – how theatre might be used as a tool to address issues important to communities and individuals. While it is true that theatre and the arts cannot replace the tangible economic needs of life, they can do a lot in terms of interventions in the social realm- to debate what might be considered "controversial", to bring together opposing factions of a certain population or to provide a practical experience in team building and ensemble work.

It is to promote this social application of the arts that my workshops have been designed.

Some relevent Info about Ms. Nandita Dinesh

Academic Background

* New York University, New York City, USA
* Watson Fellow Guatemala, Northern Ireland,Rwanda
* Wellesley College Massachusetts, USA
* School for International Training Kampala & Lira, Uganda
* Eugene O’Neill National Theatre Institute Connecticut, USA
* Mahindra United World College of India Pune, India

Presenting Freelancing with the Darpana (Darpana Academy for Performing Arts Ahmedabad, India) for Development department that focuses on the role that theatre can play in social and economic development. Currently involved in a project on gender issues in the Chota Udaipur region of Gujarat.
www.darpana.com

Publications

* September 2007 - Article entitled "Seeking a place for theatre in a place of war: A journey through Guatemala, Northern Ireland and Rwanda", published in the South Asian- American publication, India Currents.
(link here)

* July 2005 - Paper entitled "Theatre for development and Northern Uganda: An avenue of hope? Or a lofty ambition?", published on website and newsletter by the International Theatre of the Oppressed organization.
(Link here (PDF) )

Contact Email : nanditadinesh(at)gmail(dot)com