Community Workshops

Every summer from 2002 onwards, VIDYA has been conducting theatre workshops for around 60 children and youth from different slums in Ahmedabad. The workshops take place simultaneously in selected areas over 3 weeks. The Peer Group Performance Company is divided into smaller groups in order to facilitate these workshops.

The training includes theatre skills like basic voice and body work, as well as the creation of message-based plays through games, exercises and storytelling. Performance pieces are built focussing on issues recommended by the participants. These may be matters of local relevance or other concerns that they want explore. Often, storylines are inspired from popular fables and folk tales. 

The workshops culminate in an ‘event’ where the different groups put up the plays they have produced. In 2004 the performances were held in the premises of the Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad and received a lot of appreciation from a large audience of both children and adults. All participants receive certificates from VIDYA. 

Several youngsters have participated regularly in these summer workshops and look forward to them with great enthusiasm. Gradually, a number of young performers are steadily associating with VIDYA. In 2005, VIDYA trained nearly 70 children. The children then displayed all that they had learned in a programme, “Udaan”. 

The following short plays were performed by children trained by VIDYA:

1. Navanno Rupiya: a story of values, honesty, integrity, helpfulness, using money as a symbol of realization and learning.  Performed by young people from Punjidas ni Chali, Naroda
2. Rani vagar no Raja: about play about women’s right to participate in social and public life.  Performed by young people from Jawaan Nagar, Naroda Patiya
3. Khoto Rupiya: on the transience of all things fake and the survival of truth.  Performed by young people from D-Colony, Naroda
4. Madhav ni Matli: highlighting the necessity of education and following the right path.  Performed by young people from Gulbai Tekra
5. Swacchata Abhiyan: a play on sanitation and hygiene.  Performed by young people from different areas of Eastern Ahmedabad who have been working with us regularly
6. Vidya: About our core concern - girl-child welfare. It was performed by VIDYA's Peer Group Performance Company