Theatre classes begin at PNCA

PCNA aims to train Pakistani youth in theatre acting.

ISLAMABAD: A three-month-long program at Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) aims to train Pakistani youth in theatre acting. The theatre workshop commenced on Wednesday and will have a maximum enrolment of 50 students, said a PNCA representative. The fees for the workshop are Rs1,000 per month per student.

Agha Nasir, a renowned theatre actor, delivered the first lecture on the history of theatre at the opening ceremony. Hoping to attract budding artists between the ages of 15 and 25, PNCA has invited some of the most renowned theatre names in the country to conduct the workshop.

The council hopes to educate amateur actors regarding the art of acting and the sensibilities of theatre.

Focusing on Pakistani play writers ranging from Agha Hashar Kashmi to Sarmad Sahbai, the enrolled participants will learn how to approach, analyse and incorporate new text into their specific characters.

Nasir will conduct workshops on realism technique of acting, which is an understated style of acting that depicts true to life sentiments.

Indu Mitha, a Pakistani promoter of Bharatanatyam (a classical dance originating from Tamil Nadu), has also been invited to teach the principles of dance and stage movement.

Farooq Qaiser, most popularly known for the hit TV puppet show Uncle Sargam, will be teaching comedy and puppetry.

PNCA, according to a representative, has not only housed many cultural activities but also boasts publication of different literature on theatre works, techniques and scripts.

Five Plays written by Kamal Ahmad Rizvi and Modern Theatre by Agha Khalid Saleem will also be used at the workshop.

“We want to keep the nature of the workshops very traditional and for that reason the training will be in Urdu,” the representative told The Express Tribune, “Works by Pakistani authors will be taught so that young Pakistani actors can learn about the theatre heritage of their country.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2010.