Teaching Through Theatre: DSM Alumni Making an Impact in Education
Theatre isn’t just about performance—it’s a powerful tool for growth, empathy, and connection. Drama School Mumbai (DSM) alumni are using their skills to make an impact in classrooms and communities, transforming education through theatre techniques. Here, we highlight four DSM graduates who have found their calling in education, proving that theatre has the power to inspire beyond the stage.
Arjun Iyer: Bringing Storytelling to the Classroom
“To me, ‘facilitator’ isn’t just a role. It’s about holding space for every student and their own story.”
– Arjun Iyer
Arjun Iyer’s journey after DSM took an unexpected turn from stage to classroom. For Arjun, the transition wasn’t easy; he often questioned why he was auditioning for screen roles. He eventually found clarity, choosing to focus on storytelling in a classroom setting rather than chasing screen validation.
Calling himself a “facilitator,” Arjun explains that his role is more than teaching. It’s about holding space for his students, empathising with their unique stories, and guiding them in self-expression. At DSM, he learnt that theatre can be a medium of empathy—a skill he now shares with students as they explore their own perspectives and emotions.
Sritej Bhat: Building Community and Lifelong Skills
“If you’ve learnt from the same people, the same techniques, there’s something common that helps us create together.”
– Sritej Bhat
Sritej Bhat, a 2019 DSM graduate, returned to his hometown of Ahmedabad to establish the Atman Theatre School. Here, he leads improvisation sessions, workshops, and performances for adults, promoting theatre as a community-building tool. “The school allows you to create work,” Sritej says, reflecting on how a shared training experience fosters connection and creativity.
Through Atman, Sritej offers structured workshops designed to help participants progress naturally in their theatre journey. His curriculum is built on DSM’s training pillars—body, voice, breath, and text—which he tailors to students outside the professional theatre world. Sritej’s interdisciplinary approach, which draws from both theatre and architecture, reflects his belief that theatre skills enrich lives, even for those who don’t pursue acting professionally.
Sagar Bhoir: Clowning as Community Connection
“For me, there is no separation between being an actor and using theatre as a social tool.”
– Sagar Bhoir
Since graduating in 2016, Sagar Bhoir has brought laughter and joy to children in his hometown of Wada, Maharashtra, through clowning. Working with Geetanjali Kulkarni’s Tarapa and Clowns Without Borders Sweden, he has used theatre to connect with rural communities in a meaningful way.
Sagar’s work blurs the lines between actor and educator, using theatre as a social tool. His performances often involve clowning, a medium he believes can reach and resonate with children, bringing theatre’s magic to new audiences. Sagar’s journey is a testament to how DSM alumni use theatre to create community and foster joy, no matter the setting.
Saudamini Kalra: Creating Free-Thinking Spaces for Children
“Theatre builds non-hierarchical spaces where children can explore, connect, and create freely.”
– Saudamini Kalra
Saudamini Kalra, a graduate from DSM’s first-ever batch, went on to train at L’École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris. Today, she brings theatre to young minds through workshops titled IKWI LIBRI UMM, which aim to cultivate empathy, creativity, and free thinking among children.
In her work, Saudamini focuses on encouraging children to express themselves openly. By designing workshops that integrate creative problem-solving with theatre techniques, she provides children a platform to explore their own voices. Saudamini also co-founded the Meat Puppet Theatre Company, which seeks to bridge community gaps through storytelling, helping children and adults alike see the world from new perspectives.
The DSM Advantage: Theatre as a Tool for Education
DSM alumni like Arjun, Sritej, Sagar, and Saudamini demonstrate the impact that theatre can have in the field of education. Their work shows that theatre skills go beyond performance—they foster empathy, self-expression, and community. Through DSM’s focus on personal growth and creative exploration, these alumni have found unique ways to inspire others, transforming classrooms and communities through the power of theatre.
Article written by Laya Kumar