The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), together with the National Theatre UK, is ending the third edition of Connections India, a special program that offers professional theatre experiences to the youth of Mumbai.
This year’s program started in August 2024 and will finish in January 2025, aiming to develop the creative potential of young students from different schools by providing them a shared creative platform.
“We are thrilled to present the third year of Connections India, a celebration of youth, creativity, and collaboration,” Bruce Guthrie, Head of Theatre & Films, National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), shared his excitement for Connections India 2025. “Theatre has the unique ability to shape individuals, nurturing empathy, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the world around us. Programs like Connections offer young people the opportunity to engage with stories that resonate with their experiences while also fostering skills that will serve them throughout their lives. At the NCPA, we believe that participating in such initiatives is crucial for today’s youth—helping them develop not only as performers but also as individuals. With 16 incredible schools, workshops, and performances of some of the most exciting contemporary plays, we are excited to witness how these young people will inspire and connect with audiences. Together with the National Theatre, UK, we are proud to support this remarkable festival and look forward to the transformative impact it will have on both the performers and their audiences.”
This program involves professional directors collaborating with students from 16 schools, colleges, and NGOs in Mumbai to stage world-class plays. The inaugural Connections India, commissioned by the NCPA, features plays by two Indian playwrights.
Over six months, students learn all aspects of theatre, including stage direction and set design, while enhancing their soft skills. The program culminates in the Connections Festival, where students perform their plays at the NCPA this January.
This year, 16 schools, colleges, and NGOs in Mumbai will perform plays from the National Theatre UK and the NCPA. For the first time, two plays by Indian playwrights are included. The plays address topics like grief, anxiety, success, and climate change.
Students gained practical acting experience with help from industry professionals. Theatre directors worked with students, giving feedback and guiding them through rehearsals and performances.
Teachers from schools and colleges supervised rehearsals and helped students build confidence for public performances. During the program, students and teachers took part in workshops led by theatre experts to improve their acting, voice, and technical skills.
Students improved their skills beyond acting by learning about staging a play. The Backstage Pass Camp, a five-day workshop, provided stage design and management training. They also visited the NCPA to learn about its history. Connections India will end with the Connections Festival from Jan. 16-26, 2025, where each school will perform its play at the NCPA’s Experimental Theatre.
“Connections celebrates young people – they are the artists, the singers, dancers and backstage teams,” Shernaz Patel, Creative Learning Director, Connections India said Sharing the idea behind the initiative. “But most importantly these are their stories written by some of the best international playwrights. These plays speak to young people. They are funny, poignant and hard hitting. They are about issues that matter to them. What we add to this incredible initiative is NCPA’s professional expertise – directors, production and technical excellence that lift these plays and make them come alive on stage. Everything we do at the festival from the decor, food, outdoor entertainment, workshops, adds to this unique and important celebration of what it means to be young in today’s India”.
The NCPA and National Theatre are making Connections India more inclusive and diverse with each program update. This year, schools from NGOs like Teach for India, Akanksha Foundation, Angel Express, and Aseema Trust joined again. New participants include the Jai Vakeel Foundation, a school for intellectually disabled students. Other schools and colleges involved are Bombay International School, Wilson College, The German School (DSB), and Aditya Birla World Academy (ABWA).
Connections India brings together two respected cultural institutions—the NCPA and the National Theatre UK—dedicated to supporting the performing arts and arts education. This partnership allows young talent from diverse backgrounds to experience the real process of creating theatre, gaining hands-on experience in all aspects of production.
“Connections India has witnessed incredible growth in just three years, establishing itself as a vital platform for young people in theatre,” Ragini Singh Khushwaha, Creative Learning Producer, Connections India, shared. “It offers a much-needed space for creating and performing plays that resonate with their experiences. More than just theatre, it brings together young people from diverse backgrounds to collaborate, learn, and share their stories with audiences who see the world through their eyes.”
Connections is focused on education, personal growth, and self-expression through creativity. Students in the program will develop skills like communication, teamwork, and emotional intelligence while exploring the world of theatre. This initiative helps students become talented artists and prepares them to be creative leaders in their future careers.
The NCPA invites schools, teachers, cultural groups, and art enthusiasts to participate in the Connections Festival. This two-week event features engaging theatre about important topics, designed for young audiences. Connections India focuses on giving the next generation the benefits of performing arts.
The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai, inaugurated in 1969, is India’s leading cultural institution dedicated to preserving and promoting the nation’s artistic heritage across various genres, including music, dance, and theatre. It hosts over 700 events annually, making it the largest performing arts center in India.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story did not include NCPA in the title. We have altered only the title of this piece (Jan. 9, 2025)
