Bhubaneswar: A seven-day theatre workshop ‘Act Lab 2025’ conducted by Jeevan Rekha Theatre, one of Odisha’s premier theatre groups, wrapped up on Saturday with participants showcasing their newfound skills in a heartening display of raw talent and enthusiasm.
Among the 14 young aspirants who took part, Subhashree Behura, a healthcare professional at Capital Hospital, expressed her surprise at the depth and impact of the training.
“I joined the workshop like a clean slate,” she said. “Though it was designed for beginners, it helped me tap into a hidden talent I didn’t know I had. It was far beyond my expectations.”
Participants hailed from diverse walks of life—students, engineers, and professionals—each bringing a unique flavor to it.
The workshop, which commenced on May 25, concluded with a short performance by the trainees before a gathering of invited guests. The performances earned unanimous praise, with many expressing confidences in the participants’ theatrical futures.
Jagyaseni Jena, a Plus III student, echoed Behura’s sentiments. “I always dreamt of becoming an actor. Before the workshop, I would freeze when trying to deliver dialogues. Now, I feel a new sense of confidence coursing through me.”
For Soubhagya Kumar Behera, an accountant, the inspiration came from his admiration for actor Dipanwit Dasmohapatra. “When I learned that Jeevan Rekha was his launchpad, I knew this was the place for me,” he said.
Helmed by Radhakrushna Brahma, an alumnus of the Madhya Pradesh School of Drama and a familiar face from the Zee TV serial Bhagyalaxmi, the workshop focused on grounding the participants in fundamental acting techniques.
“They came in raw, and it was our responsibility to shape their potential,” Brahma said. “We employed Stanislavski, Meisner, and Lee Strasberg methods, focusing on drawing out natural performances. What stood out was their dedication—not one missed a single session, despite their other commitments.”
The workshop culminated in the distribution of certificates to all 14 participants: Biranchi Samantaray, Saubhagya Ranjan Sahoo, Subhasmita Malla, Aurojyoti Das, Subhashree Behura, Soubhagya Kumar Behera, Satyabrata Nayak, Jagyaseni Jena, Santosh Kumar Pathak, Biswajit Behera, Mahesh Kumar Sahoo, Rajendra Ojha, Arya Acharya, and Sanjib Kumar.
Founded in 2002 by a group of art and culture enthusiasts, Jeevan Rekha Theatre, under the leadership of Abhinna Routray, has carved a niche for itself by promoting Odia theatre and staging thought-provoking productions that blend entertainment with social commentary.
With each passing milestone, the group continues to nurture fresh talent while staying true to its roots.
