Forging A new Generation of Theatre Makers

Founding

Drama School Mumbai (DSM) was founded in 2013 to nurture a new generation of highly skilled, self-reliant theatre-makers in India. DSM develops professional actors, creators, and theatre entrepreneurs ready to raise the standard of theatre and performance across India.

Vision

To advance the power of theatre in India through the development of highly trained, socially conscious theatre professionals who elevate the art form and use it as a medium for empathy and societal impact.

Mission

To cultivate versatile actor-creator-entrepreneurs capable of crafting, performing, and producing meaningful theatre for diverse audiences, contributing to a culturally vibrant and humanistic society.

Milestones

  • 2013: DSM founded under Theatre Professionals Pvt Ltd.
  • 2014: Founder awarded Sangeet Natak Akademi Yuva Puraskar for contributions to Indian theatre.
  • 2016: Transitioned under Drama Schools Foundation Mumbai (DSFM), a registered not-for-profit.
  • 2021: Launch of Residential PG Diploma in Acting and Devising.
  • 2022: Appointment of DSM’s first Academic Head and commencement of Alumni Production Grant.
  • 2023: 200 alumni reached.
  • 2024: Alumni Grant renamed Niloufer Sagar Alumni Production Grant.

Key Achievements

Alumni

Building an active, supportive network of graduates across the globe.

Alumni Teaching Drama

Contributing to education & community engagement.

Employment

Demonstrating strong industry integration post-graduation

Theatre Productions

Showcasing alumni talent across diverse productions.

Film & TV Appearances

Alumni featured in prominent roles in film & digital media.

Original Productions

Contributing to the growing landscape of Indian theatre.

Drama Schools Foundation Mumbai (DSFM)

DSFM’s vision centers on cultivating and advancing theatre education and practice in India.

Creating a more vibrant, accessible, and sustainable sector for theatre and the performing arts. This encompasses fostering both creativity and a sense of responsibility within the industry, aiming to build not only skilled theatre practitioners but also community-oriented leaders. The foundation seeks to achieve this by offering high-quality training, supporting diverse theatrical expressions, and encouraging a broader appreciation for the transformative power of theatre across society.

DSM Co-founders

Jehan Manekshaw

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Theatre Director & Educator, Faculty Member

Padma Damodaran

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Actor, MA Economics, East 15 Acting School

DSM Managing Committee

Kathryn Doshi

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Dell’arte School of Theatre & Theatre Practitioner

Tushar Pandey

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NSD/LISPA Alumni, Theatre Director, Actor

Nitin Chandy

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Co-Founder, True School of Music & Future School of Performing Arts

DSM Team

External Evaluators

Anuradha Kapur

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Former Director, National School of Drama

Satish Alekar

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Former Head, Lalit Kala Kendra, University of Pune

Supporters & Patrons

Institutional and individual patrons whose support enables DSM to grow include:

Institutional Supporters

Bajaj Beyond (Minal Bajaj & Shyam Maniyar)

Pirojsha Godrej Foundation

The Godrej Foundation

Ambit Oditi Foundation

Kshirsagar Apte Foundation

Inlaks Foundation

HT Parekh Foundation

Tata Trusts

JSW Foundation

Teamwork Arts

Deepak Fertilizers

Manithan Ispat Pvt. Ltd.

Stock Traders Pvt. Ltd.

Theatre Professionals Ltd.

 Merwanji DM Jeejeebhoy Trust

UPL Ltd

Individual Patrons

Cyrus Guzder

Shirin Bharucha

Sushil Premchand

Sarosh Manekshaw

Sridhar Gorthi & Yashasvini Kumar

Vinita Bali

Swati Apte

Dolly Adi Sagar

Fiona Dias Miranda

Vinod Kumar Kochhar

Sameer & Shilpa Shah

Atul Tiwari

Bhavna Thakur

Jehan Manekshaw

Mini Bhatia

Manvendra Singh Shekhawat

Roopa Kudva

Kirat Patel

Utsav Kapadia

Vikram Lall

Rati Forbes

Naushad Forbes

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