SAIIER 2018:Auroville Theatre Group
 Auroville Nature Camp |
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 CRIPA |
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The Auroville Theatre Group aims...
- To develop Theatre in Auroville.
- To enrich Auroville’s cultural life through theatre, in collaboration with music, dance and the visual arts.
- To enhance the consciousness of our audience through Theatre.
- To increase inter-cultural understanding through Theatre.
- To connect Auroville to India and the world through theatre exchanges with Indian and foreign theatre groups.
- To offer classes, theatre workshops and productions facilitated by theatre artists from India and abroad
Activities of the year:
We directed two productions: ALL MY SONS by Arthur Miller, and KING LEAR by William Shakespeare. We also produced the show, FEAR WALKERS, adapted from a short story by Friedebert Tuglas, Estonian writer and critic.
All My Sons
ALL MY SONS was performed at CRIPA Garden, Kalabhumi on May 5, 6 and 7th, 2017 at 7:30 pm. Performers included Swar Weinberger, Jill Navarre, Shilpi Singh, Vinu Karthick, Nishant Saini, Ahmed Ibraham, Myrta K., Manjula Arumugam, Satyendra Kumar, and Satish T., with stage manager Sikander Khan and assistant stage managers Sanjeevi and Gospell Shanell. Directed by Jill Navarre.
ALL MY SONS seemed particularly relevant. The play is Arthur Miller's explosive drama about the period immediately following the end of World War II. Profoundly influenced by the Depression and the war that immediately followed it, Miller tapped into a sense of dissatisfaction and unrest within the greater American psyche. His probing dramas proved to be both the conscience and redemption of the times; allowing people an honest view of the direction the country had taken.
King Lear
KING LEAR by William Shakespeare was performed at Adishakti Theatre on December 7, 8 and 9th, 2017 at 7:00 pm. Cast:
Jill Navarre Director Kong Lear Eurydice Goneril Rohit Latiyan Duke of Albany Gandhi Oswald / Duke of Burgundy Poojashree Berman Regan Sugumar Shanmugam Duke of Cornwall Friederike Bruhns Cordelia / Gentleman Christophe Benesse King of France Malcolm Boyer Earl of Kent / Messenger Satyendra Kumar Earl of Kent / Messenger Rey Predrag Ra Fool / Gentleman Swar Weinberger Earl of Gloucester Saddam Hussain Edgar Nishant Saini Edmund Yogesh Kumar Curan / Knight / Gentleman / Servant Jill Navarre Old Man Nikhil Jayakrishnan Gentleman / Servant Manogna Rajan Doctor Cynthia Berkshire Choreography Mahi Zadrozny Lights Tanja Costumes Hartmut von Lieres Composer, original music for the Storm Jo Cuypers, Karen Teitge, Lore Dossche Makeup / Hair stylist Franziska Detrez Stage Manager / Assistant Director Gokul Priyan Stagehand
Fear Walkers
FEAR WALKERS was directed by Tamur Tohver from Polygon Theater, Estonia, with Nishant Saini and Steina Ohman. The play was adapted from the short story “Popi ja Huhuu” by Friedebert Tuglas. Tuglas is an Estonian director, actor, theatre practitioner and theorist, teacher and researcher. He founded the Polygon Theatre (2008) and Theatre School (2009), and has directed over 70 plays in theatre, radio and TV, in different countries. FEAR WALKERS premiered Jan 26, 27, 28th, 2018 at Sri Aurobindo Auditorium, Bharat Nivas.
- Today we have to ask questions on the scale of the global village. We need to be able to see ourselves from the widest viewpoint possible. FEAR WALKERS is a story of tolerance and consideration of others.
- By today’s standard, we are none of us winners or perfect in this regard, but there is always the possibility to change. What we strive for then, both mentally and physically, is evolution and self-realization, but our energy is ill spent, often already gone, wasted, in a life unlived. Is everything really ... over?
- The thing that is left is our fear and ignorance. The Fear. How can we overcome this?
Reflections:
We had the chance to work with some really fine actors on King Lear. This really helps to keep raising the bar and challenging others to work at their best. Working with professionally trained actors was a blessing. Overall this year there was a whole lot of goodwill, encouragement and challenging moments which we overcame.
Coming up:
- Starting in June for performance in August: “Obediently Yours, Orson Welles” by Richard French. This is an American play about the famous director/actor/writer Orson Welles.
- Starting in September for performance in December, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare.
- In April we have already offered a 6-day workshop at CRIPA entitled “Truth on Stage.”
- Co-direction on Therakootu Performance in cooperation with Pitchandikulam Forest and the Nadakkupam Environment Education Center, in September.