Bhubaneswar, July 22: Members of a city-based theatre troupe Natya Chetana has started a campaign to promote theatre as a career option among youngsters.
Troupe members today embarked on a 2,000-km journey to all the districts in the state to conduct theatre workshops and seminars at various educational institutions and cultural organisations.
"With changing perceptions over the years, theatre is, at present, regarded as a bankable profession. A number of acting schools have been started by many veterans in the field that has produced popular actors, theatre artistes and television stars," said Natya Chetana founder Subodh Patnaik.
"The campaign would create awareness among the youngsters on the positive aspects of taking up theatre as a profession," said Patnaik.
They would visit various colleges and interact with the students interested in acting apart from informing them about various acting schools present in the country and the state.
"A number of artistes from the rural areas of our state are quite interested in taking up theatre as a career, but lack of guidance remains a hindrance. They remain limited to the local places and fail to get recognition. We would guide them on how to get in touch with the popular acting schools for admission," said Patnaik.
Their focus would be on visiting the institutions in the tribal-dominated areas. Apart from conducting interactive sessions, they have also tied-up with local theatre troupes to conduct theatre workshops.
In the first phase of their journey from July 22 to 26, the chetana members would visit districts such as Berhampur, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Sonepur, Cuttack and Khurda.
The team would take shelter in the homes of their acquaintances. They also plan to camp at a few places - for which they are carrying necessary objects, including a stove, cooking utensils and a solar light.
"We would be attending a theatre festival in Bhubaneswar on July 26 and conduct a career counselling workshop on theatre. Thereafter, we would leave for rest of the places next day," said Patnaik.
