School Engagements
What is it? 
On 13 March, 53 students from Mahadevi Birla World Academy and inclusive school Akshar, experienced a one-of-a-kind physical theatre, dance, martial arts and fun based workshop conducted by Jeppe Kaas Vad and Jesper Holm … with a bit of Bollywood thrown in.
On 15 March, a few days before ‘International Take a Child to the Theatre Day’ 200 students from various schools and NGOs came to G. D. Birla Sabhagar for a special morning show of Walk-Man by Don Gnu. The pre show interaction explored various crazy ways of crossing the street, ultimately asking the real-life question “How should we cross a street responsibly?”. The show Walk-Man was an amalgamation of great artistry, athleticism, high comedy, timing and poetry in motion, emerging from the simple act of being a pedestrian and then taking off into great imaginative heights, brought to life by these 4 exceptionally trained theatre-dance practitioners. Post show the students showered our guests with a volley of questions and positive feedback in their excitement from the show. It was a first time experience for many in the audience.
Theatre for young people is particularly important to us. We know how valuable sharing an electric live performance experience with one’s peers can be for young audiences. Often these can be lifelong memories. Live theatre opens up spaces in the brain, and spaces for multiple interpretations and opinions that students have rare access to in today’s world of black and white that address & develop multiple intelligences in children and enhance classroom learning outcomes through the arts.
Let’s hear it from the students
“Each second of that workshop is unforgettable- from the first moment when we dropped all inhibitions and freely moved our bodies,pushing our limits or mimicking each other, till the very end when we learned a bit of choreography from their show ‘Walk-Man.’ We even got to ask the members of Don Gnu questions about their professional life and experience in India. On 15.03.24, as we sat on the edge of our seats awaiting the commencement of Don Gnu’s performance of ‘Walk-Man’ at the prestigious GD Birla Sabhagar, we never imagined that the show would be such a treat to the mind and soul. The performers were outstanding and the energy in the room was electric. The idea behind the show originated from the simple yet profound experiences one can have while navigating crossroads in daily life. The dance routine showcased a perfect blend of awe-inspiring displays of athleticism and delicate moments of intimacy. The dancers exhibited exceptional versatility, effortlessly shifting between solos, duets, and ensemble segments. Every step and gesture conveyed a powerful emotion and intention, transporting the spectators to the narrative unfolding on the stage. Additionally, the Bollywood representation in the piece was quite amusing.”
Sayona Sarkar
XI H, Mahadevi Birla World Academy
”I had a wonderful experience participating in this spectacular and fun filled workshop. It was an honour and pleasure working with such talented and friendly instructors from Don Gnu. The inputs and the tips we picked up will go a long way in our future stage performances. My special thanks to Pickle Factory, who made such a memorable and enjoyable workshop possible for us.”
Anandi Haldar
IX, Akshar School
”The show was spectacular- the artful performers delivered each moment with extreme precision and drew the perfect balance between power and delicacy. The show gave us a fair amount of laughter, simultaneously imparting a strong message. It beautifully illustrates the casual intimacy and vulnerability present in everyday moments that we often ignore, serving as a reminder to romanticise life and break the monotony. Furthermore, the minimalist setup on stage really highlights the degree of raw expression present in each and every movement of the performers.”
Tahera Fatima Javed
XI F, Mahadevi Birla World Academy
