Platform for Action in Creative Theater

Core Team

Gouri Nilakantan : Gouri holds a Masters degree in Theater from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and currently pursuing her PhD in Theater from Jawaharlal Nehru University. She has directed over 25 Plays including critically acclaimed Water by Komal Swaminathan, Imaginary Invalid by Molière, and Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, The Little Prince and Some Unknown Arabian Nights in both India and the United States. Her fields of expertise lie in Children’s theater and Augusto Boal Techniques. She is currently writing a book in Drama and Music Education with Robert Lee, Associate Chair, Early Music Education Program, Miami University, “From the Children of India to the Children of America”.

Paul ‘Spike’ Wilson : Professional actor, director, translator, and teacher with over 20 years of experience in children's theatre. His areas of expertise range from Theater of the Oppressed to Drama Therapy and Drama for Literacy. He currently serves as the Teacher-in-Residence for Curtain Call Theater for Children in Kokomo, Indiana where he runs a summer training program for children ages 4 and up.

Purple Umbrella Theater Festival

Purple Umbrella Theater Festival has been conceived by PACT (Platform for Action in Creative Theater)for the purpose of promoting and strengthening excellence, access, and education in the theatrical arts and to create a vibrant performing art culture amongst children. Through participation in the Festival, students with interests in acting, directing and technical theater will gain valuable performance and production experience.

Highlights of the event

The largest children theater activity of its kind

Spread over a month across various venues in Delhi and NCR

The event will be exposed to over 500,000 students and over 2000 schools in Delhi and NCR

Entirely driven by children including anchoring

Individual as well as group awards and recognition

Festival’s Theme for 2011: Satyameva Jayate(truth will prevail)

Abhivyakti Theater Workshop

Abhivyakti Theater Workshop is specifically designed to help each student focus and develop his or her:

* Communication Skills * Expressions | Expressions in a better way* Critical thinking|Critical Thinking Ability* Leadership Skills and Team Spirit* Moral and Spiritual values* Sensitivity & Understanding towards the feelings of others* Fostering Peer Acceptance and Self-worth

Main Stage Productions

After Dark, directed by Feisal Alkazi, India Habitat Center, 2007

People like us, Directed by Feisal Alkazi, India Habitat Center, 2005

Genesis Project, an original Performance piece directed by Dr. Sally Harrison Pepper and produced by the department of Theater, Miami University, 2004

Chhere (an adaptation of Come back Little Sheeba) directed by Feisal Alkazi, 1998

Women directed by Feisal Alkazi, 1998

Odhni (a folk play) written by Vijay Dan Deta directed Feisal Alkazi, 1995

Teleplay Teen Paise ka Nautanki (an adaptation of Three penny Opera) directed by Amal Allana and produced by Department of Culture, India, 1998

Teleserial Aaj ki naari Directed by Smita Vats and Produced by India Today

Teleserial Tarang directed by Smita Vats and produced by the Department of Broadcasting and Communication, Government of India, 1996

Teleplay Like that only directed by Feisal Alkazi and produced by Department of Communication and Broadcasting, Government of India, 1996

Chaal, directed by Feisal Alkazi, Epicentre, 2010

Keep Tightly Closed in Cool Dark Place, directed by Feisal Alkazi, 2010, Epicentre

King of Kahanistan, directed by Feisal Alkazi, 2009, Epicentre

Prisoner of Zenda, directed by Feisal Alkazi, 2009, Epicentre

After Dark, directed by Feisal Alkazi, 2008, Epicentre

People like us, directed by Feisal Alkazi, 2008, Epicentre

Tom Sawyer, directed by Feisal Alkazi, 2007, Shri Ram Center

Choices, directed by Feisal Alkazi, 2007, India Habitat Centre

Treasure Island, directed by Feisal Alkazi, 2006, Shri Ram Center Auditorium

Dharamaputra, written by Mahesh Eswancker, directed by Feisal Alkazi, 2001, at India Habitat Center,

Set Design

Glass Menagerie, directed by Gouri Nilakantan, 2005, LTG, Mandi House

Set design of Seven in All lets Woo Them All (adaptation of Seven Wives for Seven Brothers) directed by Renu Malhotra, 1998, Kamani Auditorium

Yeh Jahannum Hai, to be performed at Epicentre, May 2011

The Wise and the Foolish Maidens, Queen Mary Auditorium, December 2010

Ek Bhayanak Sach, Queen Mary Auditorium, December, 2010

Aesop’s Fables, Queen Mary Auditorium, December, 2010

Not I, Not I, Never I, Epicentre, July 2010

Tales with Tails, Epicentre, March 2010

The Girl and the Snake, Lok Kala Manch, December, 2009

A Christmas Parcel, Epicentre, October 2009

Six Pesos for Sunday, Epicentre, March 2009

Pepper the Phantom Monkey, Lok Kala Manch, March, 2008

The Stone Soup, Lok Kala Manch, January, 2008

The Dragon Kite, Lok Kala Manch, December, 2007

Kamala, St Marks School Auditorium, October 2007

Tales from India, April, 2007, Sat Paul Mittal Auditorium, Ludhiana

The Little Prince, December, 2006, Suncity World School

Imaginary Invalid, October 2006, St Marks School Auditorium

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, May 2006, Hill top School Dalhousie

Glass Menagerie, 2005, LTG, Mandi House,

Water, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 2003

Dramaturgy

Six characters in search of an Author, Directed by Dr. Ann Elizabeth Armstrong, Miami University, 2003.

Little Clay Cart, directed by Dr. Howard Blanning, Miami University, 2003

More Works They are currently involved in implementing awareness programs for Delhi Metro commuters about etiquettes of commuting inside and a Metro Train and about various security issues involved.