Registrations to The Little Theatre Creative Workshops for 2019
are NOW OPEN......
Registrations at our air conditioned studio "Cheria aana" in Nungambakkam.
Call 28211115 to make an appointment with our manager Dinesh.
Vishnu getting creative with electronics with the Green Workshop and teaching them about
electrons & protons and showing them how to build a wand that lights up!
electrons & protons and showing them how to build a wand that lights up!
Green Workshop participating in a theatre workshop
The Annual Creative Workshops have been designed specially for the 5 to 15 year olds. The programme starts in August and ends in December after the Christmas Pantomime shows.
The programme includes Creative Workshops on Saturdays from 4 to 5:30 for the 7 to 15 year olds and on Thursdays from 4 to 5:30 for the 5 to 6 year olds at our air conditioned studio in Nungambakkam, Cheria aana, 'trick or treat' during Halloween, carol singing on the back of bullock carts and a cast party at the end of the programme and the opportunity to be part of the little theatre's annual Christmas Pantomime Shows.
The Little Theatre's Christmas Pantomime has become the
highlight of the Christmas season in Chennai and has become a
'tradition' with the city for the last 28 years. The Little Theatre has
played for 24 of these years to packed audiences at the
Museum Theatre, Egmore...last year was no different.
KK and his team gave 8 magical performances to houses who were bursting at the seams. People bought tickets and sat on the aisle steps as usual! Some even stood at the back to watch the shows! And then bought more tickets to sit and watch it! :)
1. Where do I register for this programme?
The Playhouse 'Cheria aana' 39/46 Ram's Square 2 Village Road Nungambakkam opposite Harrison's Hotel .... next to IndusInd Bank phone: 044 282 11115 We are open 10 am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays 2. Can I send a PA or driver or a maid to register? No. A parent or guardian of the child is required to register the child as the registration form requires you to really know your child! |
3. Do we have to bring the child for an interview? No. The child is not interviewed. And is not required to accompany you when you come to register. 4. How many children do you take into your workshops? We run three workshop groups which are colour coded: 5+ to 6+ year olds - Red Workshop (a maximum of 20 participants) 7+ to 9+ year olds - Green Workshop (a maximum of 25 participants) 10+ to 15 year olds - Blue Workshop (a maximum of 25 participants) 5. When do you stop registrations? We stop registrations as soon as we reach the maximum number of participants for all three workshops. Registrations for the next session are currently OPEN. It is an annual membership of Rs 12,000/-. This is a one time payment for the whole programme. This year's Christmas Pantomime will be based on "Popeye!" Show dates: December 13 to 18, 2019 at Museum Theatre, Egmore |
Ashley Shillong taking the Blue Workshop for a theatre workshop
The Hindu
Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 22, 2003
Young World Published on Saturdays
Holding centrestage
SHALINI UMACHANDRAN
"The Little Theatre" performers...
Ever wondered how Eric, Donna and the rest on `That 70s Show' have the guts to prance around and act silly? Easy! They get paid to do that, is probably the instant answer. But what about the people who cavort on stage in yellow tights and Robin Hood hats just for the fun of it — no money or fame involved — right here in Chennai?
"Drama is a way to forget yourself," explains Aysha Rau, who founded the Little Theatre in 1991. "You're playing a part, and effectively you become that person." The Little Theatre conducts workshops for children between the ages of five and 14. She also says that theatre builds self-esteem and helps a child rid itself of all inhibitions. "Even if you are afraid of speaking on stage, the moment you are given a role to play, that fear vanishes since you are no longer yourself but the character you have chosen to play," says Aysha.
The Little Theatre also conducts free theatre for the children of the Corporation Middle School, Chetpet, and the kids put on a show based on a social theme every year. This year's theme was "inclusion" — of the disabled, of women, religion, gender, caste — and the production was directed by Pralayan. "The children came up with some amazing ideas and Pralayan managed to incorporate all of them into the play," says Aysha.
Krishna Kumar S. of Masquerade, a Chennai theatre group that has been conducting workshops in schools, also agrees that children come up with innovative ideas.
"Their powers of observation are so great and I learn so much from them when I do workshops." Apart from acting, the children also learn set design, costume design and more. Krishna Kumar says that schools and parents are realizing that children need relaxation through forms that will also build personality, and see theatre as the perfect medium for this.
Aysha explains that she started The Little Theatre for kids to have a place to relax after school. They also have a youth choir and orchestra where children from regular schools and from Vidya Sagar meet every Saturday to sing and learn to play instruments. The choir recently gave their fourth performance at Max Mueller Bhavan and will get back in tune from July, after a short break.
And for the older theatre fans, Masquerade has started Landing Stage, a youth theatre group for teens — age 14 to 19. The idea is to get teenagers to expend their creative energies, learning everything from acting to lighting and backstage management. So whether you are five or 19, there is a place for you to learn... or if you just want to have some fun, meet new people and learn a few interesting skills.
