On Reimagining & Rebuilding: DSM Alumni in Community Work
Theatre isn’t just an art form; it’s a way to build and heal communities. Drama School Mumbai (DSM) alumni are using their theatre training to engage with communities, explore histories, and foster social change. Here, we spotlight three graduates who are redefining community work by blending theatre with social impact, proving that storytelling can transform lives beyond the stage.
Nitika Arora: Reviving History Through Heritage Walks
“These walks have taught me that there is no black and white in anything. Everyone we know is so nuanced and complex.”
– Nitika Arora
Nitika Arora, a 2015 DSM graduate, is transforming community connections through heritage walks in Delhi. As part of Darvesh Heritage Walks, Nitika uses her training in character work to bring historical figures to life for audiences. On these walks, she leads people through Delhi’s iconic locations, narrating stories from history while embodying figures like Ibn Batuta and Tughlaq.
Growing up with family stories rooted in the trauma of partition, Nitika has used theatre to bridge past and present. Through her work with Nirantar, a centre for education and gender advocacy, she even trained women in her local basti to lead their own walks, allowing them to share the untold stories of their neighborhoods. “Bharat enters India, but India never enters Bharat,” she reflects, emphasising the importance of making local stories accessible to the broader public.
Himani Pant: Healing Through Clowning and Rehabilitation
“One sees the underbelly of a city in a rehabilitation centre… these moments show the power of theatre in people’s lives.”
– Himani Pant
A 2014 DSM graduate, Himani Pant has dedicated her post-DSM journey to community building through therapeutic theatre. Initially working with Theatre Professionals in education, she later trained in red-nosed clowning, bringing laughter and relief to children in hospitals and working with the Sarhana Trust, which supports the children of sex workers. While her clowning wasn’t designed as formal therapy, it planted seeds of curiosity about the healing potential of theatre.
After studying physical theatre in Greece, Himani returned to work in a rehabilitation centre, creating therapeutic models that blend art, movement, and music. She describes a powerful moment when a participant experiencing psychosis completed a theatre game and was overcome with emotion. “This moment will always stay with me for the power of theatre in people’s lives,” she shares.
Deepmala Khera: Confronting Division Through Theatre
“The play opened a doorway to healing, understanding, and, ultimately, growth.”
– Deepmala Khera
A 2016 DSM graduate and a trained Self Science Counsellor, Deepmala Khera has made an impact in communities through theatre-based interventions. She recalls a profound experience after the Gujarat riots, where she used a play called Us and Them to help middle school students process trauma and explore themes of division and unity. “Directly addressing the riots felt volatile,” she explains, noting that the play provided a safe space for students to confront difficult emotions.
For Deepmala, the process of creating the play went beyond performance; it allowed students and audiences alike to reflect on human nature and the dangers of letting hatred take root. DSM gave her the tools to facilitate these conversations, helping her use theatre to foster healing, understanding, and growth in her students and community.
The DSM Advantage: Theatre as a Tool for Community Impact
DSM alumni like Nitika, Himani, and Deepmala demonstrate that theatre skills go beyond performance—they have the power to engage communities, foster understanding, and inspire change. At DSM, students learn that theatre is a universal language capable of bridging divides and addressing social issues with empathy and creativity. For those with a passion for community work, DSM provides a foundation to transform storytelling into a force for social impact.
Article written by Laya Kumar