Did you study theatre?
I went to Herbert Berghof studio in New York. I was fortunate to be there when the renowned Viennese actor/director was around. It was fantastic. Berghof established the studio in 1945 to provide professional theatre training and practice for aspiring and accomplished actors of all ages.
Your advice to youngsters wanting to pursue theatre as a career?
My advice to youngsters is to be ready to live on the fringes of society. Having said that, it’s not as if you cannot make money. Many make loads of money, especially in case of commercial theatre. Some commercial theatre can be good and we’ve had really fantastic productions in that area. We at Prithvi don’t produce plays, we only programme theatre and we depend hugely on corporate sponsorships.
Can theatre be a career?
It can definitely be a career. One needs to be energetic and entrepreneurial. One needs to work for oneself, be imaginative and be ready to choose a life of risk. If you like the adventure, it may be the right career for you.
Nobody at Prithvi has been trained in managing a theatre, we’ve all learnt on the job. We are 15 (including security staff) of us right now but we do take on people on every project.
How much can a youngster expect to earn as a theatre person?
As for salary, one can start with absolutely nothing. Later, one can be paid per show. The amount can vary from Rs 6,000 to Rs 35,000. Fortunately, there are a crop of young talent right now who want to live off the earnings of their work with theatre.
Frequently Asked Questions
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