The huge wedding hoardings in our neighbouring marriage convention hall blocked the entrance to our lake from Brigade Millennium side in addition to causing traffic jam right across the gate! We, the PNLIT volunteers were agitated as parents couldn't park their vehicles and had to find a way to bring the children inside the gate. With mercury already rising, it didn't look like a good start to our first theatre workshop that was condyucted on Sunday morning (24th Feb) by Dr. Sonali Sathaye.
Nature had other plans, the cool breeze from the lake and the shade of our Gazebo and trees calmed things down while Sonali worked her magic on the 16 children who had assembled. The wedding, the traffic jam and their noises faded into the background.
Lastly, teams were made and each was given a short scene to enact (that included the movement and expressions learned earlier), which the audience had to guess. How those two hours flew by, we couldn't say (though the traffic jam and the honks were still going strong!!).
We asked the children to share their experiences and here is what a couple of them said:
The workshop was great fun on the whole. At first, I was nervous. But later, I became more involved. It was fun working in groups. I got to know a lot of people. It was done in a simple yet engaging manner. I am glad I came.
Avani (10 years)
The theatre workshop conducted by Sonali aunty at Puttenahalli Lake was an interesting event. First she made us observe all the living and non- living things in the lake and then told us to act like those things. I learnt to make different types of movements and expressions. She taught us to speak clearly, slowly and loudly. I learnt to be confident and not be shy. I want to attend more events like this at the lake.
Jayadithya (10 years old)
We look forward to hosting more of such events which connect both children and adults to the natural world around us.
Sapana
PNLIT Event Co-ordinator
Nature had other plans, the cool breeze from the lake and the shade of our Gazebo and trees calmed things down while Sonali worked her magic on the 16 children who had assembled. The wedding, the traffic jam and their noises faded into the background.
The workshop started with a couple of interesting games as ice breakers which made the children get to know each other. Then came the body movement and vocal exercises which made them alert and aware. Enactment with expressions - exaggerated expressions - made them laugh at each other's silliness.
Sonali then made the kids do an interesting exercise of observing any movement in and around the lake and enacting it. Initial hesitancy had given way to openness and the children flapped their hands happily like birds and butterflies, swayed like trees, rowed boats and drove cars!
Sonali then made the kids do an interesting exercise of observing any movement in and around the lake and enacting it. Initial hesitancy had given way to openness and the children flapped their hands happily like birds and butterflies, swayed like trees, rowed boats and drove cars!
Lastly, teams were made and each was given a short scene to enact (that included the movement and expressions learned earlier), which the audience had to guess. How those two hours flew by, we couldn't say (though the traffic jam and the honks were still going strong!!).
We asked the children to share their experiences and here is what a couple of them said:
The workshop was great fun on the whole. At first, I was nervous. But later, I became more involved. It was fun working in groups. I got to know a lot of people. It was done in a simple yet engaging manner. I am glad I came.
Avani (10 years)
The theatre workshop conducted by Sonali aunty at Puttenahalli Lake was an interesting event. First she made us observe all the living and non- living things in the lake and then told us to act like those things. I learnt to make different types of movements and expressions. She taught us to speak clearly, slowly and loudly. I learnt to be confident and not be shy. I want to attend more events like this at the lake.
Jayadithya (10 years old)
We look forward to hosting more of such events which connect both children and adults to the natural world around us.
Sapana
PNLIT Event Co-ordinator
