PETals

My experience in Drama

Swathi Sivadas



It was after the performance of All 4 Love, I think, and PET was open to those who were interested in joining. The first thought that occurred to me while looking at the registration form in my hands was "What about all those lines that I have to memorize??" then, "What if even if I did memorize those lines and then on stage forget them?? What will I do?? I don't think I'll be able to handle it!!" These were my thoughts after watching All 4 Love.

I joined PET anyway despite those thoughts. I'll just give it a try, I told myself. The first performance that was presented by us beginners was The Crow, The Mole and The Tortoise as well as a short piece from the Ramayana in June 2005 if I'm not mistaken. I had learnt a lot from those exercises we would do before starting rehersals. Although I had built a little confidence in myself, I still hadn't shaken the fear of stage fright despite being a dancer.

My first role in an actual drama was Jessica, the daughter of the Jewess Shyla in The Merchant, The Moneylender and The Mistress in February 2006. It was my first attempt in an actual play and well, it was Shakespeare. Shakespeare for me, okay most of us, was like alien language. Not until after this play did I start to get the hang of Shakespeare and even grew to like it. We all, I'm sure, had our share of fun in this adaptation of Shakespeare. Well, I did and it was a one of a kind experience for me working with other actors who were senior and knowing your cue to come on stage, not to mention your character. So,that slowly brought out more of my confidence. It's like there are so many ways to express yourself through drama, being someone else and bringing out the character in the way you feel best.


To me it's a freedom that I don't experience in anything else I do. Then came the Bullock Cart performance, it was not PET but we used skills we learnt anyway. It was a little tough dancing and acting at the same time. We had to remember our lines as well as our dance sequences. I had fun doing this production too.

Recently, of course, was Khaadalin Shakthi to the power of 3. Here,I got the role of Savitri in "Savitri and Satyavan". This was another experience for me as the piece was only for two actors. This time when we had the first meeting last year, I was not convinced that I could bring out the character at all. I felt and still feel like I haven't gotten the satisfaction of bringing the best out of any one character I have played, because I think I'm still new and inexperienced to do so.

I felt nervous doing this piece because of both of us had to hold the audience's attention for the certain period of time. Of course I knew Kamalesh could do it but not me. Also, acting with Kamalesh who is senior to me made things easier but it was like a senior and junior actor put on stage together. Well, senior because of the amount of stage exposure as an actor. I felt inexperienced to take on this role. Even on the day of the performance I don't think I (as Savitri) came through to the audience. Though I'm still not sure. Strange, but that's how I feel.

We performed this piece twice. The first time at the Buddhist Temple where I thought the audience was more receiving. Then a second time at TFA, though this time despite the 'advantages' we had here it felt like we didn't get through to the audience - in other words, it was just boring. So, in conclusion, my experiences have showed me several aspects of drama which I would have not gone through if I hadn't started drama in the first place. Neither would I have acquired a "Shakespearean taste".

Well, a little of it anyway and slowly I find it easier to memorize lines which I had otherwise thought was difficult. I hope in future, I'll get to take on different characters and situations. Not only that, now, I actually like reading about Shakespeare's life. Whatever it is, I'll never regret the day I joined Panchatantra Ensemble Theatre.

Labels: report/experiences

posted by swathi @ 10:47 AM