Caught in the act - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Caught in the act

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Apr 30, 2013 04:55 PM IST

If all the world is a stage then anyone who performs in front of an audience is an actor and that performance is a piece of theatre. Anyone who acts on a stage or in a movie, in a television drama serial, or in a street play is referred to as an actor.

The lowdown

If all the world is a stage then anyone who performs in front of an audience is an actor and that performance is a piece of theatre. Anyone who acts on a stage or in a movie, in a television drama serial, or in a street play is referred to as an actor. The scope in this field is enormous. Recognition changes your life forever and brings you money and fame. Career options vary from theatre to voiceovers radio, television, cinema or any field an actor chooses to adopt. All you need is talent and oodles of confidence. Talent cannot come from training or learning. Though learning is necessary to channelise the talent, talent itself is inborn. On asking how different is it to work in Hindi theatre and English theatre, Aamir Raza Husain, a veteran theatre director says, “Differences exist between styles of directors, of how they approach a script, what is their methodology etc. These are the virtues that create a difference in theatre styles and groups. If an English theatre director like me works in Hindi, style will remain the same, and the only difference will be the language.”

HT Image
HT Image

Clockwork
9.30am to 10am: Urgent administrative issues and payments
10am to 12pm: Sit on scripts with co-director to clean up previous day’s rehearsal problems
12 noon to 2pm: Move to workshop where sets and properties are being fabricated
2pm to 3pm: Deal with administrative issues regarding production
3pm to 4pm: Rest
5pm to 8pm: Rehearsal
8pm to 8.30pm: Break
8.30pm to 12 midnight: Rehearsal
12am to 12.30am: Discussion with actors
1.30am: Reach home
2am: Dinner, go to bed

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The payoff
Renumeration depends on your talent and acting ability. As you gain more experience, the salary will increase accordingly

Skills/TRAITS
* Acting talent. Mere passion doesn’t work here
* Loads of patience
* Ability to work hard
* Humility to follow instructions and orders
* Enthusiasm and commitment are a bonus

Getting there
You cannot become an actor by training. You cannot become an actor if you have inherited talent. A combination of both is required and the ability to work hard is the only way to become a good actor. No institution that can teach you to be an actor. The only way to learn is to find a good director and work with him/her for two-three years in productions

Institutes and URLs
* National School of Drama, New Delhi www.nsd.gov.in
* Natsamrat Theatre Group, New Delhi www.natsamrattheatre.com
* Asmita Theatre Group, New Delhi asmitatheatregroup.com
* Antraal Theatre Group antraaltheatre.blogspot.in
* Prithvi Theatre, Mumbai www.prithvitheatre.org
* Kshitij Theatre Group, New Delhi www.kshitijtheatredelhi.com
* Jana Natya Manch, New Delhi www.jananatyamanch.org
* The Drama School, Mumbai thedramaschoolmumbai.in

Pros and cons
* The ability to follow your heart and to be able to make a living is indeed an ideal situation
* Not a lucrative career option. Unfortunately, one out of many gets to taste success. Stress, hard work are part of the game

Theatre is a medium of entertainment, not a medium to teach, preach or bring about social reform. If any of this happens, it is a bonus -- Aamir Raza Husain, a veteran theatre director

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections.Watch now!

Get latest news on Education, Bihar Board 12th Result 2024 Live along with Board Exam, Competitive Exam and Exam Result at Hindustan Times. Also get latest Job updates on Employment News
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On