Thespo 23 - The Dilfully Dramatic Festival

Thespo 23, India’s Most Exciting Digital Youth Theatre Festival took place from 16th – 19th December 2021.  With an array of LIVE innovative performances, exciting workshops, international collaborations, open mic, quizzes and community events, the festival was a global space for people to let their Dil’s Be Fully Dramatic -i.e, allow them to be their truest unabashed selves. 

 

Flagship Performances

Innovative performances designed specifically for the digital medium, the flagship performances were the main showcase at the festival and were curated by Amruta Sant and Pritesh Sodha from over 30 entries received from across the country. These performances were created and performed  live by emerging theatre-makers from Mumbai & Pune! 

 

  • Shot on iPhone by Theatron Entertainment – Was the story of a young boy set on getting the phone of his dreams. 
    Written & Directed by Sanket Parkhe. 
  • Plan B/C/D/E by Tafreehwale – Explored ways to counter the climate apocalypse with 
    Devised & Performed by Meghana AT. 
  • Yatra by Chakree – Followed the journey a young girl undertakes.
    Written & Directed by Mukta Bam. 

Workshops & Masterclasses

Thespo 23’s selection of workshops had been curated especially for the digital medium for theatre enthusiasts under the age of 25, facilitated by practitioners from around the globe featuring a host of topics Including: 

 

  • A look into the world of set and costume design with Ready? Set? Design! by David Farley.
  • Existing in the fictional world of a play while focusing on developing physicality with Building Characters by Helen Barnett.
  • Exploring the facets of voice with Fitzmaurice Voicework® & Vachika by Malika Prasad. 
  • Learning a fierce Shakespeare speech or two with The Go(u)lden Rules of Shakespeare – a masterclass by Peter Gould. 

Open Events

At the festival club, participants from all across the world attended open mic night, dramatic yoga sessions, play readings, theatre watch parties, audio play listening events among other community building activities. The Thespo Book Club, an initiative aimed at starting a dialogue between the authors, who are theatre veterans, and young theatre makers had its first ever season and featured Dolly Thakore, Feisal Alkazi, Sudhanva Deshpande and Shanta Gokhale. Having interacted with theatre enthusiasts from Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, the festival proved to be a pan-Indian hub where like minded individuals could connect with one another.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Through the Lifetime Achievement Award, Thespo celebrates the life, work & legacy of a theatre veteran whose contribution to the industry has redefined the art form. This year, Thespo had the honour of presenting the award to Sabitri Heisnam of Kalakshetra (Manipur) for her formidable performances across five decades, as well as for her contribution to experimental theatre in Manipur.

Awards Night

Last but not the least, the festival will concluded with the vibrant celebration of young artists. The Thespo 23 Awards Night was an acknowledgement of outstanding talent displayed during the main showcase – the Flagship Performances. Awards were presented in various categories, recognising the writing, directing, design, production and acting talent of these young emerging artists.

Here are the festival awardees:

Outstanding Supporting Actor (Female) – Pranjali Kinnarimath for Shot on iPhone

Derryck Jeffreis Award for Outstanding Production Design – Meghana AT for Plan B/C/D/E

Pearl Padamsee Award for Outstanding Actor (Female) – Meghana AT for Plan B/C/D/E

Outstanding Show Management – Yash Lonkar and Sanket Parkhe from Theatron Entertainment for Shot on iPhone

Outstanding New Writing – Meghana AT for Plan B/C/D/E

Alyque Padamsee award for Outstanding Director – Meghana AT for Plan B/C/D/E

Sultan Padamsee for Outstanding Production- Meghana AT for Plan B/C/D/E

 

 

 

Thespo 23 was truly a delightful time and we cant wait for Thespo 24 to arrive! Until then keep an eye out for all our workshop, play readings, open mic nights and other community events!