30th March 2022

“All the world is a stage.”

Acting or play is not just for entertainment, rather it’s sometimes a philosophy which influences our minds and hearts; or a social tool which makes us aware of what’s happening around us. To guide us on how to perform effective street plays, St. Teresa’s Institute organized a Street play workshop for the students on 30th March 2022, Wednesday. One of the professors, Dr. Joan Lopes was the person behind arranging everything for this workshop. The workshop held at St. Teresa’s Institute, Santa Cruz. A workshop is effective only when there is an expert present to guide everything. Sir Jagdish Sansare, a professor, an actor and a writer was the resource person for this workshop.

The workshop began at 10.00 AM. Ma’am Joan Lopez welcomed Sir Jagdish and his two assistants. Then one of the SY students, Tanavi Pitale introduced the Chief Guest. Sir Jagdish asked students what is a Street play? The students gave different answers. Then he asked all the FY and SY students to stand in rows and repeat the sentences he was speaking…The lines were, “Udu chala re Udu chala, Pakshi Bolto Udu Chala”. We were not supposed to act also. Then he asked 10 girls to introduce themselves. Through this, he explained to us the importance of speaking loudly in a street play. Then he explained to us the importance of Street play. After this he instructed all the girls to stand in line. Girls were divided as models and mirrors. The girls who were acting as a mirror image were asked to imitate the models. It was a very interesting game. Through this, he exposed to the students, importance of observation, imitation, eye contact and co ordination which are the necessary factors in a street play. After this, he called one one girl from SY and FY and carried out one activity with them which showed how to us our body as tools or property during a street play. In this activity, the girls showed how to use human body as table, chair or animal etc. Then after a short break, SY students were divided into four groups and each group was given a topic for street play. After this, first group was called. They discussed and performed some activity to show how to street play. Then he asked all to come forward and explained the importance of music in street play through an activity taken by his assistant. Then he called group 2 and played a number game to check their concentration, attention, spontaneous action, presence of mind anr alertness abilities. Then he explained that we need to be very energetic to perform a street play. Then he asked us to play “Besharam Bano” Game with partners. Through this he taught us that we need to be free and open minded. Then only we Will be able to perform all types of roles. After this he called group 3 and asked them to play “Zinga” game to check their attention. Then he called 5 girls for an activity where he asked the girls to act as a beggar. Again he called three girls to act as fraud saints. All the girls did well. After this, a short break was given to the students to relax. Then sir Jagdish played a vocabulary game with the FY students. After noon the game, all 4 groups of SY students performed their streets plays on the given topic. Although they git a very less time for preparation, they did a good job. Sir Jagdish praised each group and gave suggestions for improvement. Then one of his assistant, Madhavi ma’am sang a very melodious song. At the end sir took a fun activity of claps and jump with all the students. After the vote of thanks delivered by an FY student the workshop ended at 3’o clock.

This workshop organised by the institute was really a very nice learning experience for all the students. It will surely help them while performing street plays or in organising street plays in schools in near future.