Noida professionals’ office job by day and tamasha on stage by night

If you thought Tamasha painted a far-fetched picture of corporate life, with Ranbir Kapoor’s Ved longing to go back to the performing arts, think again. Many of Noida’s corporate employees tell us they are equally passionate about storytelling and theatre. However, their story differs from Ved’s, as they balance both their corporate day job and their passion, thereby having the best of both worlds.
Rush of rehearsals from office without even changing clothes
Gunjan Shukla, an executive with BHEL, recounts, “Most of us middle-aged executives in white collar jobs are bound by the corporate world. Life becomes monotonous. Theatre gives us a break from all that. There have been times when I have rushed for rehearsals straight from office without even changing out of work clothes. But despite that, rehearsals mein din bhar ki office ki thakaan utar jaati hai. In my first play, I portrayed the madam of a brothel, a character as far removed from anyone I know as possible. When you play such diverse characters, you start to empathize with them. This way, you tend to be more flexible in understanding other people’s point of view. I believe it has helped me be a better people manager, which helps me at work as well.”
Most of my fellow performers in theatre are half my age
Prem Banga, is a 66 year-old former marine engineer who works as a consultant. He says, “Theatre had always been a hobby but I never went ahead with it. Last year, I saw the ad of a theatre group looking for people aged 7 to 70, which I found very appealing. That’s how I began my tryst with theatre. The best part probably is the bonding I share with my fellow performers. Most of them are half my age but we share the same energy. During rehearsals with them, I feel very energetic. To their credit, they don’t make me feel like an outsider.”
Theatre helps blow steam
For some, theatre is not just a hobby but has a therapeutic use. Venu Kapoor, an entrepreneur, says, “I was never a big theatre fan but after I saw a play in Noida last May, I was motivated to try my hand at it. The stage gives me a high and that is what got me into theatre. We all have high-pressure jobs or businesses and this helps to blow some steam. The stage is a non-judgmental place, where you can be free. For me, it is therapeutic. This way, there are no Monday blues and you can head to work refreshed. The best compliment I have received so far for my performances has been from my daughters. My younger one does some theatre herself and this gave me another avenue where we could bond with each other. She says that earlier, I used to be in the audience at her performances but now she can do the same for me.”
Noida has small theatre groups that give amateurs a chance to perform on stage
Many amateur actors say that it’s the opportunity one gets in smaller groups that is the biggest lure. Ashutosh Upadhyay, a placement consultant by profession, says, “As a student, I had been interested in theatre, but gave that up due to professional commitments later. Over the years, work became monotonous and I wanted a break from that monotony. This is where theatre stepped in for me.What I like about Noida is that since the theatre groups here are small and semi-professional, you get to be on the stage and perform as soon as you start. In Delhi’s professional theatre groups, you have to wait for several months to just get a chance to be on stage. For us, the aim is not to learn acting but to experience that high of being on the stage. That gets fulfilled here.”
Theatre makes you feel young again
If you thought, this was a fad only among the young, you might want to think again. Rita Prakash, a 66-year-old teacher, says, “I used to do a lot of theatre in my school and college days. In June last year, I became a part of a theatre group in Noida and in November I did my first play. I discovered that even though I had set foot on a stage after decades, the passion was still there. It’s an enriching experience and more than anything, it makes me feel young again. When you act and practice with people as young as your children and grandchildren, you naturally become more energetic.”
It’s a fun, family-like atmosphere
Gautam Kapoor, an IT professional, sums it up, by saying, “I joined a theatre group in Noida late last year. The best part is that the groups have all amateurs who are either students or office workers so everyone helps one another. The rehearsals and practices are kept on weekends. It’s like a fun, family-like atmosphere. I performed in chamber theatre and street plays for the first time. As a performer, it is a wonderful experience, one that is more intimidating than a regular stage performance.”