Academy of Theatre Arts/Dramatic Arts

Productions

Theatre Training Comprises, the knowledge imbibed by the students into its practical application in play productions. Each year Academy of Theatre Arts presents ‘THREE MAJOR PRODUCTIONS’ of the first & second year students.  Renowned directors from all over India are invited to direct these  production. In the past 14 years, Academy of Theatre Arts has produced 45 major productions & more than 200-250 Classroom Productions.

List of Major Productions

2004-2019

Library

The Academy of Theatre Arts is building its own theatre library which is fully equipped with books, periodicals and titles in English, Marathi and Hindi as well as Audio and Video documentation. The students of the Academy will also be allowed to use Fort Library and Jawaharlal Nehru Library, Vidyanagari at the Kalina Campus. EQUIPMENT TV, CD/ DVD, Overhead / Slide projector, computer, LCD Projector, etc. and the necessary software and operating system related to theatre will be made available as required. Special stage lights, sound system and workshop equipment will be made available in the improvised studio theatre and at the Muktaakaash Rangmanch, Kavivarya Kusumagraj Marathi Bhasha Bhavan as required.

ELIGIBILITY

Academy of Theatre Arts, for the year 2014-15

Academy of Theatre Art, University of Mumbai runs a Master of Theatre Arts two years full time post graduation degree course. This course involves study of various aspects of drama including Stage Craft, theatre history, production, critics with a practical approach and demonstrations.

Around 200 students from all over the country attended the entrance test & audition for the academic year 2014-15 and out of them 25 students were chosen for the course based on merit and score.

Activities conducted by the Academy during the year 2014-2015 are as follows:

Class room productions : Every year students, as part of their curriculum present scenes from different plays without any experts help. In the Academy year 2014-15 following plays were presented by the students of 2^nd Year as their classroom production ‘Ek Aur Dronacharya’, ‘King of England’, ‘Magn Talyakatthi’, ‘ Mahapur’,  ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Wadachirebandi’, ‘Kamala’ , ‘Shobha Yatra’ etc.

Scene work : Scene work involves student performing various scenes under the guidance of  external  experts in order to learn various styles of theatre. This year a scene work was presented from Pramarthugatha directed by well known classical dancer Rajashree Shirke with the students of 1^st year.

Workshops : Well known lavani dancer Chhaya Andhare was invited for Lavani workshop during 23^rd Nov to 3^rd Dec, 2014 to give the training of the traditional lavani dance to the students of the Academy.

Stage Lighting Workshop:  Senior Light designer Prof. Suresh Bhardwaj from National School Drama (NSD), New Delhi was invited for the workshop on stage lighting for the students of Master of Theatre Arts. It as conducted from 4^th  to 6^th March, 2015

Major production : As a part of students curriculum various plays of different styles are produced by the Academy every year. This year ‘Aazar Ka Khwab’(Urdu Play) directed by Prof. Atul Tiwari was produced by the Academy and was presented between 11^th  to  14 December, 2014. Another Hindi play ‘Party’ directed by Aniruddha Khutwad was also presented by the students between 6 to10 Feb, 2015.

This year a well known senior actress director Himani Shivprui was invited to work with 1^st year students. She directed classical Indian drama Mruchakatik in Hindi. It was presented on March 20 and 21^st, 2015. Hon’ Vice Chancellor Rajan Welukar inaugurated the show.

Show in National Festival: This year Begum Qudsia Jaidy Drama festival was organized with the support of  National School of Drama, in  Delhi and National School of Performing Arts in Mumbai. Students of Academy of Theatre Arts were invited to perform ‘Aazar Ka Khwab  in Delhi and Mumbai. Both performances were appreciated by the audience as well as press & Media.

8^th Vasant Natyotsav:- The Academy of Theatre Arts, in collaboration with the west zone cultural centre, Udaipur organized the 8^th National Vasant Natyotsav  between  22^nd  to 29^th March, 2015. The festival was inaugurated by veteran film  and theatre actor and director, Amol Palekar and Shabana Aazmi presided over by Dr. Rajpal Hande (director BCUD).

The festival included plays in various languages Hindi. Marathi,Aassami, English etc, The opening play was “Lezim Khelnari Pora, directed by Abhijeet Zhunjarrao, followed by plays such as “ Post card from Bardoli, directed by Jaimini Pathak, “Kino Kaon”, directed by Pobitra Rabha, “Saudagar” directed by Bansi Kaul, “Char Coat”, directed by Sudesh Vyas, “Wada Chirebandi”, directed by Chandrakant Kulkarni, and “Gazab Teri Ada” directed by Prof. Waman Kendre (Director- NSD).

The festival closed with the Rangmandals (New Delhi) drama “ Khilona Ghar” directed by suman Mukhopadhya. In all, eight plays were presented in this 8^th National Vasant Natyotsav and was enjoyed by around ten thousand audience. 

Information of the Academy of  Theatre Arts for the inclusion in Annual Report of 2014-2015 (1^st April, 2014 to 31^st March, 2015)

Seminar

RASHTRIYA VASANT NATYOTSAV

Every year, the Academy of Theatre Arts organizes a multilingual national theatre festival, the Rashtriya Vasant Natyotsav. The productions of eminent directors such as Ratan Thiyam, Waman Kendre, Bansi Kaul, Bhanu Bharti, Usha Ganguly, Rudraprasad Sengupta, Anuradha Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Alyque Padamsee, Feroz Abbas Khan, Ranjit Kapoor, Chandrakant Kulkarni, Satish Alekar etc. have been presented in this festival. It has provided a platform for the Wrold Premiere of plays such as Macbeth (dir. Ratan Thiyam, 2014). This is one of the most popular theatre event in Mumbai, attended by distinguished theatre personalities and theatre enthusiasts.

RASHTRIYA MAHARANG PARISHAD (An historic theatre event)

Academy of Theatre Arts successfully completed ten years in 2014 and as a part of this celebration, the University of Mumbai and the Academy recently organized a one of its kind national theatre summit called Rashtriya Maharang Parishad. Prof. Khan went all the way and reached out to the milestone personalities of theatre from across the country and brought them under one roof. It then went on to become a gala,coloruful ensemble of theatre, music, dance, intellectual seminars, folk performances, paper presentation on theatre issues, interviews of national celebrities etc.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL

In order to give the students an opportunity to watch the plays of eminent directors and also an opportunity to interact with them, Academy organizes a National Theatre Festival of its own called the ‘ Rashtriya Vasant Natyotsav’ every year.

Academy organized five National Theatre festivals so far. Eminent Theatre Director of India are invited to perform their outstanding plays in this Festival So far  Ratan Thiyam- (Chorus Repertory co. Imphal), Rudraprasad Sengupta (Nandikar – Kolkata), Satish Alekar-(Theatre Academy, Pune), Waman Kendre- (Rangpeeth, Mumbai), Kirti Jain-(Aaranjan, Delhi),  Raghuveer Khedkar - Kantabai Satarkar Loknatya Tamasha Mandal, C.R Jambhe-(Mysore Rangayan, Mysore), National School of Drama, Repertory company, Delhi,  Vitthal Umap-Mumai,  Subodh Patnaik (Natyachetna – Bhuwneshwar), Bhanu Bharti, Devendra Raj Ankur, Ranjeet Kapoor,  Raju Barot, Mustak Kak (Jammu& Kashmir) , Tripurari Sharma, (Delhi), Usha Ganguli, (Rangkarmi, Kolkata), Jammu& Kashmir Academy of Arts-Jammu, Darpan Theatre Group Lucknow, Triveni Cultural Organization Baroda etc. has performed their plays in this festival.

Academy of Theatre Arts, University of Mumbai has got an honour to organize & host International Women’s Playwright conference & Women International Theatre festival in November 2009. This conference was organized for the first time in India. Women Playwright & Theatre Personalities from 26^th  Countries attended this (such as America, England, Australia, Sweden, Canada, Pakistan, Indonesia, Srilanka, France, Netherlands, Norway, South Africa etc.) conference with 250 women playwright & Theatre Personalities from various states of  India. 

The Conference was held from 1^st to 7^th  Nov-2009 & about 20 plays were performed and 50 plays were read  in the conference, Seminars & Symposium  on various issues related to women were also organized during this conference ‘ Liberty & Tolerance’ was the main theme of the conference.

COLLABERATIVE PROGRAMMES

Academy of Theatre Arts, Mumbai University initiated  collaborative programme with international organizations such as American cultural centre, Mumbai, British council, Norway Embassy , Italian consulate cultural centre, Indian Council for Cultural Relations & National organizations such as Sangeet Natak Academi, New Delhi, National School of Drama New Delhi, West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur etc.

Academy of Theatre Arts organized workshops, lectures, presentations, with foreign faculty such as  Prof. Lee James (Australia), Imozine Buttler Cole & Simon, Jeff (U.K.), Dr. Dorothy Figuira (USA), Jessel Boko & Guy Biran (Croatia), Yasmin Brown & John Hegley (England), Tobiyas Biyanko (Switzerland), Juliana Campana (USA), Haukaur Gunnersson (Norway), Faiza Mardzoneki (Indonesia).

Most of the students passed from the Academy have started creating impact in theatre, film & Television Industry as playwrights, actors, directors & designer. Some of them are working as officers in central & state Government’s different cultural organizations, such as Radio, Television, and Newspapers etc. Also some of them are working in Theatre education and as research scholars also.

• MASTER OF THEATRE ARTS
• Diploma in Acting Skills
• Those who are in waiting list and attended Entrance Exam for Master of Theatre Arts will get first preferences for admission.
• Those who are applying for Diploma in Acting Skills Course note that, Hostel facility is not available.

THE DIRECTOR

Shri. Yogesh Soman
Director, Academy of Theatre Arts, University of Mumbai.
Profile

Faculty

Dr. Mangesh Bansod
Senior Assistant Professor
Profile

Dr. MILIND INAMDAR (Assistant Professor)

Post graduate from National School of Drama (N.S.D.) New Delhi 1993 with specialization in Acting & also did one year fellowship in 1994 on “Realistic” Acting- Today”. In 1989 best Actor award at “Maharashtra State Competition” for the play ‘Vidushak’ & in 2003 won the best Actor Award certificate at “Maharashtra State Competetition” for the play ‘Ganesh Mahadev Nashikkar’. He also conducted successfully more than 60 Acting oriented workshops at different parts of Maharashtra. In 2001 held production oriented workshop at Pune & did successfully a play ‘Ajab nyay vartulacha’ with 60 students. He visited Lahore, Pakistan for the participation in Rafi Peer Theatre Festival 2004 & did four shows of Urdu Play “JIS LAHORE NAEE DEKHYA” Directed & Acted. He adapted & directed ‘KHEL’ (based on American play Twelve Angry Men) Ajintha (Based on Ajintha long poem of N.D. Mahanor. Ajintha is performed in Nehru centre Mumbai, National theatre festival in 2009 & Goa theatre festival at Goa- in 2009

Dr. Amol Deshmukh (Assistant Professor)

He has completed his Master of Theatre Arts degree with distinction from Academy of Theatre Arts, University of Mumbai. He has also passed the NET Exam and is currently pursuing Ph.D in Performing Arts. He has written, directed and acted in many plays for State Level Drama Competitions and also has been awarded for the same. He is awarded National Integration Fellowship. He has conducted acting workshops in various cities. His published material includes play, ‘Madhavi’ and articles on theatre issues. Presently he is teaching Classical Indian Drama at the Academy.

Pradeep Sarwade 
Assistant Professor

OUR VISITING FACULTY FOR LAST TWELVE YEARS

RAMCHANDRA SHELKE (Assistant Professor) 

He is a graduate in Arts and has completed his post graduation in Dramatics (Acting) from NSD (1983). Apprentice fellowship at the NSD Repertory Company, trained in Kathakali from the International Centre for Kathakali, Delhi (1983-85). Training in Bharatnatyam from Ms. Leela Samson, Delhi (1984-85) and also trained in Kallari and Chhau. He has completed ‘Madhyama Pratham’ in classical music.  Worked as a teaching faculty member in NSD, (1988-91), and for extension programme of NSD, (1991-96).Frequently worked as visting faculty member for : Department of Indian Theatre Punjab University, Chandigarh, Kala Academy Goa. Acting couse of Shri. Ram Centre, New Delhi TIE Co. NSD. Rangayan, Mysore. Ninasam, Karnataka and the Acting course of the Nehru Centre, Mumbai. Acted in 20 plays, film & T.V. Serials. Directed 15 plays Mid Summer Nights Dream, Caucasian Chalk Circle, Kanjus, Bhagwadjjukyem, Burry the Dead, Abu Hasan, The Mi Gitsni Aani Mumbai, Akeli, Mayeche Lekaru etc. Also written a play “Tatri-realising self”. Written Screenplays & dialogues for couple of feature films& T.V. Serials. He has received awards from the Sahity Kala Parishad, New Delhi Performed in many countries such as Japan, UK, USA, Canada, Brazil, Columbia, Hongkong, Austria, Hungary, Mexico, Argentina, UAE, Pakistan etc. as an actor, modern dancer a puppeteer. He is teaching Acting, Movement & Stage Craft in the Academy  since its beginning.

Sandhya Rayate (Assistant Professor)

M.A. (Sanskrit) S.N.D.T. University of Mumbai. Post Graduate from National School of Drama, New Delhi. B.Ed. (Sanskrit) University of Mumbai. Script Writing programe (VIDEO), N.C.E.R.T., New Delhi. Script Writing Programmed ((VIDEO), N.C.E.R.T., New Delhi. Stage Artist (Professional Plays, esp. Marathi), Script writer & producer for Audio Cassettes (Educational), Govt. of Maharashtra Educational Technology Cell, Mumbai. Offered Training in script writing programe’s conducted by Educational Technology Cell, Mumbai, Govt. of Maharashtra, Consistently writing scripts for Aakashwani for Educational Programes. Conducted various training programe’s in dramatics for children & Private Institutions. Lecturer Demonstrations on the effective use of dramatics in teaching for teachers.

PROF. DEVENDRA RAJ ANKUR

(Ex. Director, National School of Dram New Delhi):

M.A. in Hindi Literature from University of Delhi. Diploma in Dramatics with a specialization in Direction from N.S.D. (1972). Pioneered a totally new genre in Modern Indian Theatre called “Kahani Ka Rangmanch” with the National School of Drama Repertory Company in 1975. He has been teaching in Academy of Theatre Arts for last few years & departing his guidance for the students of “Kahani ka Rangmanch”.

GOVIND NAMDEV

He is eminent actor of Theatre, T.V. Serials, & Hindi films. He has done his post graduate Diploma in Dramatics from N.S.D. in 1978. He has worked with N.S.D. Repetary Company for more than eleven years. He is teaching Acting in Academy of Theatre Arts for last twelve years.

SHIVDAS GHODKE

He is Alumni of N.S.D. 1981 batch. He is prominent Director & Teacher. Since last twenty five years he is teaching different aspects of Theatre . He has directed more than fifty major plays which includes. 1) Mahabhoj, 2) Gadhe ki Barat, 3) Andher Nagri. 4) Akhyan, Rajdarshan, Kanupriya etc. Las 20 years he has conducted many workshop on “Therepetic use of Theatre” for special children & special teachers. He is teaching Set-Design in Academy of Theatre Arts for last twelve years.

SATYADEV TRIPATHI

He is a well known Theatre Critic & Teacher. He has written seven books on various areas of Criticism. He is Reader in S.N.D.T. University. Since twenty years he writes reviews of Hindi play productions for Nav Bharat Times. He is teaching Hindi Rangbhoomi in Academy of Theatre Arts for twelve years.

VIJAY KENKARE

He is a prominent & well known Director of main stream and parallel Marathi Theatre. Since 1985, he has successfully directed more than sixty plays for Marathi professional theatre. He is a recipient of many awards which include 1) Zee Marathi Awards 2) Vasant Soman Puraskar 3) Maharashtra Times Award 4) Award from Govt. of Goa. He is teaching Direction in Academy of Theatre Arts for last twelve years.

UDAY DESHPANDE

He is a Sports man and a Sports teacher of international standards. Trained about 50 National Champions in Gymnastics & Rope Mallakhamb. He is recipient of many prestigious awards which include “DADOJI KONDADEV PURASKAR” 2003-04 as Best Coach, in Mallakhamb, conferred by the Government of Maharashtra, in February 2005. He is teaching Rope Mallakhamb in Academy of Theatre Arts for last twelve years.

CHHAYA KHUTEGAONKAR

She is well known exponent  & performer of  Lawani. She is also teaching Lawani since last 25 years. Her special contribution to “Baithakichi Lawani” is unparallel. She has evolved, choreographed, & presented lesser known aspects of Lawani.  She is recipient of many prestigious awards which includes Maharashtra State Award. She is teaching Lawani for last twelve years to the students of Academy of Theatre Arts.

AMOD BHATT

He is prominent Music Composer & Teacher. He has learned theatre music from eminent theatre personality late Shri. B. V. Karanth. He has Composed music for more than 100 plays. He is teaching “Theatre music” in Academy of Theatre Arts for last twelve years.

RAJASHRI SHIRKE

She is a well known classical Dancer, Performer & Teacher. She has got mastery over the two contrast dance forms that is Kathak & Bharatnatyam. She has written a Hindi play “Shyamsakhi”. She has successfully choreographed for many plays. She has delivered many lecture demonstrations for prestigious cultural, academic institutions. She is awarded by Bombay Municipal Corporation for her outstanding contribution to Art of Dance. She is teaching Classical Dance to the students of Academy of Theatre Arts for last twelve years.

Ulesh Khandare

He is senior most Make-up Designer of Marathi Theatre. His contribution to Make-up Design is unparallel. He is known for innovative methods of Make-up design, since last sixty years. He is teaching Make-up in Academy of Theatre Arts for last twelve years. He has received many awards including Maharashtra State Award for outstanding work in Make-up.

FEROZ ABBAS KHAN

He is welknown film and theatre director, producer & actor. Directed film such as Gandhi My Father and Theatre Productions such as Tumhari Amrita, Salesman Ramlal, Royal Hunt of the sun, Kuch bhi ho sakta hai, Saalgirah etc.

He received numerous prestigious Awards which is includes National award for the film Gandhi My Father and Teacher’s award for Theatre Contribution.

He is working with Academy since its start as Expert & Teacher.

HIMANI SHIVPURI

She is a leading film, TV & Theatre Actor.  alumni of National School of Drama, worked with NSD repertory company for more than eight years. She has acted in more than 100 Hindi films, leading TV serials & more than theatre production. She is recipient of many prestigious awards. She is teaching Acting, Writing drama & Classical Indian Drama with Academy since last two years.

DIPALI  VICHARE

She has completed her Kathak Nritya Alankar from Gandharv Sangeet Vidhyalaya. She learnt Indian Folk Dances, Indian Ballet style & International festivals & choreographed dances for many plays, films, mega events. She is recipient of prestigious awards. which includes Maharashtra State Award, MATA Award, Zee TV Award etc.

She is teaching Modern Folk & Traditional dance in Academy since last 3 years.

AND ALSO FOLLOWING THEATRE PERSONALITIES CONDUCTED SESSIONS WITH OUR STUDENTS:

DR. MILIND MALSHE

NADIRA BABBAR                                                  C.GOPAL KRISHNAN

KAMLAKAR NADKARNI                                     KRISHNA MUSALE                                   

A.N.ROY                                                                   AKARAM KOLEKAR

SHIVANAND PATIL                                               BHUMIKESHWAR SINGH

Smt. SHAM A BHATE                                             TERRENCE LUIS

Shri. ROMESH CHANDER                                      AJIT RAI

ACADEMY OF THEATRE ARTS HAS INVITED FOLLOWING GUEST DIRECTORS TO DIRECT THE PLAYS WITH THE STUDENTS

Rajshri Shirke & Vaibhav Arekar

Anirudha Khutwad

Vijay Kenkre                                                               Ranjeet Kapoor                                  

Chandrakant Kulkarni                                                            Purushuttam Berde                            

Shivdas Ghodke                                                         Himani Shivpuri

Sai Paranjape                                                               Atul Tiwari                                         

WE RECEIVED ATIVE CO-OPERATION FROM WELL KNOW THEATRE PERSONS:-

Academy of Theatre Arts is organizing a yearly Theatre Seminar since 2004. ‘Thamashache Prayogtawa’, ‘Contemporary Theatre in Changing Times’, ‘Rediscovering The Magic of Theatre’ & ‘The Call for New Theatre Language’ were Brainstorming topics of seminar. ‘Vasant Natya Mahotsav’ is unique Theatre Festival of Academy of Theatre Arts. It’s a Multilingual Drama Festival in which directors of National Repute Perform.

THE ACADEMY HAS RECIVED GREAT SUPPORT, BLESSINGS & GUIDANCE FROM EMINENT THEATRE PERSONALITIES:

OUR NON-TEACHING STAFF FOR THE YEAR 2018-2019

Chhaya Shelke                        Head-Clerk

Shamrao Doiphode                 Ty-Clerk

Hemant Wagh                         Technical Superintendent

Ajay Gopal Gawas                  Data Entry Operator

Suvarna Gaikwad                    Data Entry Operator

Nitin Joshi                               Peon

Mangesh Kelaskar                  Peon

Nilesh Padelkar                       Peon

Prashant Pawar                       Hamal

Alumni:

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