09
May 2025
7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
The Tapi Project: A Blend of Folk and Contemporary Sounds from India & Beyond
Royal Opera House, Mama Parmanand Marg, Mumbai - 400004
Akansha Goenka is dedicated to enriching Dubai's theatrical community through her passion for storytelling and commitment to education. As the Co-Founder & Head of Education at The Junction, Akansha has played a pivotal role in establishing Dubai's premier independent theatre at Alserkal Avenue in 2015. Under her guidance, The Junction's educational initiatives have flourished, expanding to serve several schools, and impacting over 700 students within a few short years.Armed with a degree in storytelling from Kathalaya in Bangalore, Akansha has crafted a comprehensive theatre curriculum tailored for students at the kindergarten, primary, and middle school levels, instilling a love for the performing arts from an early age. Having personally conducted over 400 sessions, she has empowered countless children to excel, as evidenced by their remarkable performance in Trinity Exams since 2019. Akansha and her team of educators are now esteemed members of Dubai's educational landscape, serving renowned institutions such as GEMS Modern Academy, the American School of Dubai, GEMS Dubai American Academy, Brighton College Dubai, GEMS World Academy, Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou (The French High School), and more.In her capacity as Director and storyteller, Akansha has demonstrated her directorial prowess through a series of acclaimed plays, earning recognition with awards such as Best Director and Best Play in 2019, 2022, and 2024. Additionally, she has championed grassroots talent as the Founder of The Greenroom, Dubai's first independent student theatre troupe established in 2020. She was awarded UAE’s prestigious Golden Cultural Visa for her work in the field of theatre in 2021.Among her notable directorial credits are productions like The Welkin, Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike, The Accused, La Mouche, Star Power, and Creeps. Akansha continues to serve as a beacon of inspiration for emerging talents, shaping Dubai's cultural landscape with creativity, dedication, and boundless passion.
Read moreWorld of Creative Dramatization
Creative drama represents an innovative approach to learning that harnesses the power of theatre to enhance educational experiences for children. This type of theatre is specifically designed for educational purposes, allowing students to engage in imaginative play while developing essential social skills and academic competencies. Under the guidance of a trained instructor, children participate in theatre games and improvisation exercises that encourage them to explore their behavior, ideas, and creativity in a safe environment.
Creative Drama Techniques
Creative drama encompasses a variety of techniques that foster non-verbal communication and emotional expression through performance. One significant technique is pantomime, which relies solely on gestures and body language to convey meaning without spoken words. This form of expression allows participants to explore their creativity while effectively communicating emotions and narratives.
Improvisation is another essential element of creative drama, where scenes are planned but the action and dialogue remain spontaneous. This encourages children to think on their feet, enhancing their ability to adapt and respond in real-time situations. Role-playing also plays a crucial role, allowing children to act out everyday scenarios they encounter, thereby helping them understand social dynamics and relationships.
Incorporating exercises that emphasize the use of the five senses—sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste—further enriches these techniques. By engaging with these senses, children not only work on sound and visual perception but also learn how to articulate their own emotions effectively. Sense memory improvisation is particularly beneficial as it guides children in recalling experiences tied to specific sensory stimuli.
Characterization improvisation helps kids delve into diverse cultures, literature, and art forms by portraying various characters. This practice enables them to learn how individuals think, feel, and behave across different contexts while fostering empathy and understanding towards others’ experiences. Through these techniques in creative drama, children develop critical skills that enhance both their emotional intelligence and artistic expression.
Benefits of Theatre and Drama for Young Actors
Theatre and drama offer many benefits for children, significantly enhancing their overall development. One of the most notable advantages is the increase in creativity. Engaging in dramatic arts encourages divergent thinking, allowing kids to explore multiple solutions to a problem and think outside the box. This freedom of expression sparks curiosity, prompting young minds to ask questions and seek deeper understanding.
Moreover, participation in theatre helps children become better communicators and develop stronger teamwork skills as they learn to convey emotions and ideas through performance. Collaborating with peers fosters a sense of community and teaches them the importance of listening and supporting one another.
In addition to communication skills, children involved in drama cultivate various creative talents such as confidence, musical understanding, dance abilities, set design knowledge, and technical skills related to lighting and sound. These experiences enrich their artistic capabilities and contribute positively to their mental health by providing an outlet for self-expression.
Furthermore, theatre promotes empathy among children by encouraging them to step into different characters' shoes. This practice helps them understand diverse perspectives and fosters patience as they learn to work through challenges together on stage. Overall, the benefits of engaging in theatre are profound; it nurtures creativity while enhancing concentration and emotional intelligence—skills that will serve children well throughout their lives.
