Strings AttachedIn this workshop, a blend of theatre & puppetry give children a unique perspectiveHere there's freedom to go beyond clichés and let creativity rule. The issues of the plays, Global Warming and Girl Child, may be serious, but the 27 children of the Navodaya Vidyalya, Sector 25, are giving the concerns an imaginative look and treatment. They are all set to present these at the upcoming regional competition of the Vidyalayas at Mandi and are these days rehearsing hard at the month-long theatre and puppetry workshop, being spearheaded by Anupama Neogi. It all began with some theatrical exercises to build the children's confidence, improve their communication skills, sharpen their memory and then followed brain-storming sessions on the issues for developing scripts. "Once the mental kick was given, students were divided into small groups and were taken towards dramatization and gradually I weaved in the process of theatre from within and asked them to verbally voice their opinions on both the topics,'' explains Anupama. The penning of the scripts, agree the students, was the most stimulating and challenging process, with many a draft written and rewritten and puppetry being brought in to make the act more live and engrossing. Making puppets, connecting them with characters, changing scripts according to characterization, voice modulation, "it was all engrossing and stimulating for the children, who are all set to put their best on stage for the regional meet and then go on to the nationals,'' smiles Anupama.
