Graduation Day for DFA06-11

At the end of June, Graduation Day for the six-month, full-time Diploma in Film Acting course (DFA 06-11) in Mumbai featured actor Vineet Kumar Singh. Attended by the full batch as well as the continuing students of the following batch, Vineet gave insight into the daily work and trials of actors in Mumbai. His lively talk – on acting, filming, preparing and more – was greatly appreciated.

When asked “What’s next” most of the graduating students replied, “Stay in Mumbai and get work!” More than a few wanted to continue for another six months!

House Full of Laughter

A major hit! A packed house at India Habitat Centre’s Stein Auditorium enjoyed the latest production of BJAS Theatre’s Baghdad ka Gulaam, the hilarious historical, fantastical comedy based on Carlo Goldini’s The Servant of Two Masters. The story of love, secret identities and the insanity of royal families had everyone in stitches. This production, the Hindi version performed by Barry John’s Theatre Action Group in 1988, will now go “on the road” to other cities in India.

BJAS Theatre Delhi is in rehearsals with a new play to be performed soon.

The Big Night In, a comedy by British playwright Richard Marsh, was performed to a small but appreciative audience by BJAS Theatre Mumbai on April 19 & 20, 26 & 27. Four best friends meet after a long time for a night out. While three of them prefer a big night in, they give in to the idea of a big night out. They become dismayed when they realise that they are getting older, girlfriends are getting serious, while kids, slippers, and mortgages beckon. These four pull you through a show reminding you of your best friends and how it’s not always the best idea to live it large.

BJAS Theatre Mumbai is in production with two more: another English play and a new play in Hindi, to be performed soon.

Summer Heats Up for Kids!

Young Actors Club is back for the Summer Session, in Delhi and Mumbai. A great activity for kids aged 8 to 15.

In Delhi NCR, dates for most venues are 21 May – 15 June, with performances on Sunday morning, 17 June. Venues include Cambridge School, Noida; Lok Kala Manch, Lodhi Road; Gymkhana Club (members only); Gulmohar Club, Vasant Vihar Club and Select Citywalk in Saket. Timing for these venues is Monday to Friday, 9 am to 12.30 pm.

For Tagore Modern School, Shalimar Bagh, same dates with timing from 11 am to 2 pm. For India Habitat Centre, dates are 28 May to 23 June, timing 2 to 5 pm.

Give us a call at BJAS Studio for details on admissions and fees: 9716114466 or 9999704455.

BJAS Takes to the Stage

BJAS Theatre in Mumbai and Delhi is now swinging into high gear with two new performances- and many more to come.

In Mumbai, it’s The Big Night In, an English comedy, on the boards April  19 & 20 and 26 & 27 April at Mise En Scene, Andheri West, Mumbai.

The Big Night In, by British playwright Richard Marsh, is the uproarious story of four guys stuck inside with each other for an entire evening. Performed by alumni of Barry John Acting Studio and produced by BJAS Theatre. For ticket info, call 8850408662 or 9821044325. Join us for a sparkling evening of comedy!

Baghdad ka Gulamis a hilarious historical and fantastical comedy based on Carlo Goldini’s The Servant of Two Masters. It’s a tale of mixing love  with secrets and the resulting confusion. This production is the Hindi version performed by Barry John’s Theatre Action Group, in 1988 and by BJAS Mumbai Studio in 2008.

Performance is 12 May at India Habitat Centre’s Stein Auditorium, on Lodhi Road, 7.00 PM. Ticket at bookmyshow.com.

BJAS Theatre is the BJAS Theatre in Education Trust (BJAS-TIE), a new non-profit Society that continues the tradition of fine performances by Imago Theatre Group and Theatre Action Group. Its acting and stage management members are graduates of courses at Barry John Acting Studio.

We are now welcoming sponsors. To join BJAS Theatre as a donor member or major sponsor, call us on 9716114466 (Sanjay in New Delhi) or 9967977966 (Rajeev in Mumbai).

YAC Street Play in Delhi

Great weather, good crowd, and energetic performances by the kids made for a perfect afternoon for the Young Actors from our Studio in New Delhi. The event culminated our 6-weekend workshop, spent entirely on preparation for the outdoor Street Play performances. Both Street plays were about problems and stresses experienced by children in modern-day urban India, and featured songs, rhythmic chanting and “scenes” which created a story.

Coincidentally, just before the performance began, an ex-YAC and Certificate Course student, Simraan Kaur, walked by. She was visiting Dilli Haat with family. Simraan talked for a while with the students about her experiences – she’s now in a daily serial, working in Mumbai.

The students in the YAC program:

Ishani Sinha, Pukit Abrol, Vedika Sethi, Nihal Solanki, Kaashvi Agarwal, Arnav Agarwal, Prarthana Agarwal , Shresht Bajaj, Daksha Amit Sawant, Sharmishtha N. Singh, Viraj Vohra, Anya Grover, Shaurya Grover, Aryan Batra, Dheer, Bharat Suneja, Annvi Tyagi, Isha Kanodia, Rashmi Abeogaonkar

The excellent teachers were Praveen Pithambaran and Gopal Vats.

Submit Your Film!

We’ve assembled a crew for shooting short films in both Mumbai and Delhi, and we’re looking for great scripts. Comedy, drama, a mixture of the two, all OK, but please – no copies of Western or Indian films, and nothing that “has a message” delivered by hammer. We’re looking for well-drawn characters and an engrossing story. The story can be presented in a traditional or experimental mode. Send us ideas from the Film Submission page.

Our first film is from a script by Barry John, and he’ll be directing. On the floor in early March, in Delhi – auditions are an event at the Facebook page.

Curtain Rises on Theatre Groups

Theatre groups featuring BJAS graduates are starting up (or continuing) in both New Delhi and Mumbai. We’re now in the process of choosing a season plays (in both Hindi and English, old and new) and auditioning actors who want to join the troupe.

In New Delhi, Sanjay Sujitabh is in charge and can be contacted through Ratika at the front desk on 9716114466 or 9999704455. Rajeev Gaursingh is heading up the group in Mumbai and can be contacted through Arhsiya our casting head on 9967977966 and 9967977967.

BJAS grads can also join as stagehands or other backstage work, inclkuding lighting and sound tech, set design, etc. Just give us a call and come see us.

On Acting and Success

Barry John on acting and success:

“There is no magic formula that works every time! Over four decades, I have evolved a system that draws on my experience of working with children, with youth, with disabled and disadvantaged groups, with university students, with theatre groups and with film actors. The system also draws on what other teachers, directors and actors have taught me, whether through working with them or though books that they have written. I teach what I know, what I believe in.

The methodologies I employ put the onus of learning, discovering, creating and problem-solving onto the students. The objective of empowering students is at the heart of good teaching.”

But can acting be taught?

“I believe that acting can be taught, even to someone who seems to have been born an actor. There’s a saying that talent is like water. Without a vessel to contain it, it’s useless. What is the vessel for talent? Technique.”

And the line to success in the film world involves honesty, hard work, and being realistic:

“At BJAS, each student is encouraged to connect with feelings and behaviors that are authentic and truthful rather than contrived…but beyond all the technical and aesthetic aspects of an actor’s education, our Diploma courses enlighten and instruct students in the launching and building of careers as actors. An actor’s personality and talent together constitute a product, which needs … creative and efficient business management to become a popular brand.”