JAMMU, Jun 5: Natrang’s much-awaited Summer Theatre Camp-2026 for children, regarded as one of the most professionally designed and sought-after theatre training programmes in the region, commenced today at Natrang Studio Theatre, Jammu.
The camp was formally inaugurated by Natrang Director and Padma Shri awardee Balwant Thakur with the lighting of the traditional lamp in the presence of children, parents, theatre professionals, and members of the Natrang team.
Welcoming the participants, Balwant Thakur highlighted the significance of theatre as a powerful medium for the holistic development of children. He informed that the training module of the camp has been carefully designed after extensive exposure to some of the finest international institutions working in the field of children’s education and creativity, including renowned centres such as Oxford Summer School and Cambridge Children Theatre. He emphasized that Natrang’s Children Theatre Programme focuses not only on acting and stagecraft but also on social, emotional, and intellectual growth.
Addressing the gathering, Balwant Thakur stated that theatre helps children develop communication skills, public speaking abilities, confidence, empathy, critical thinking, leadership qualities, creativity, discipline, and teamwork. He added that in today’s technology-driven environment, theatre provides a much-needed platform where children can express themselves freely, build meaningful relationships, and enhance their cognitive abilities through creative engagement.
The camp will be conducted by National Award-winning theatre director Sumeet Sharma, who brings over twenty-six years of experience in working with children through theatre. Besides Balwant Thakur, renowned theatre personalities Neeraj Kant and Gauri Thakur will also conduct specialized sessions during the workshop.
Established in 1990, Natrang’s Children Theatre Wing has been a pioneering force in children’s theatre education in Jammu and Kashmir. Through its regular Summer, Winter, and Spring Theatre Workshops, more than 5,100 children have been trained over the years. Many former participants have gone on to excel in diverse professional fields, carrying with them the confidence, discipline, and creativity nurtured through theatre.
As part of the camp, participants will also prepare a new full-length theatre production, which will be presented before a wider audience at the culmination of the workshop. Over the years, Natrang’s children’s productions such as Mere Hisse Ki Dhoop Kahan Hai, Aap Hamare Hain Kaun, Hum Hain Na, and Udaan have earned national recognition. Notably, Aap Hamare Hain Kaun has been translated and staged internationally in French, English, and Creole.
Special emphasis during the camp will be placed on communication skills, public speaking, confidence building, personality development, and creative expression through innovative theatre techniques. The workshop will also incorporate allied art forms including cartooning, yoga, visual arts, and dance, making it a comprehensive creative learning experience.
A dedicated team comprising Mohd. Yaseen, Pawan Verma, Mahikshit Singh, Kartik Kumar, Nikshay Mahajan and Kananpreet Kaur will assist in facilitating the smooth conduct of the workshop.
Those who attended the inaugural session of Summer Theatre Workshop included Adeesha Singh, Advait Rathore, Hamzah Zulfkar, Eshaal Zulfkar, Navdha Prasher, Bhoomik Dogra, Saira Negi, Vivaan Negi, Bhavyashree Sharma, Rabhya Sharma, Twisha Sharma, Sarthak Balowria, Sharvil Mahajan, Adhrit Suri, Shranaya Mahajan, Vamika Verma, Anvay Mehta, Akshaj Mehta, Vinayak Singh, Dwijesh Dutta, Mohd. Saad Bandey, Priyansh Mehra, Adira Gupta, Riddhish Gupta, Kaustubh Sharma, Sanatan Gupta, Advik Sharma, Mahira Gupta, Aadhwika Gupta, Jayantika Mahajan, Kavish Sharma, Ridhira Oberoi, Vaibhav Mahajan, Aarush Choudhary, Vaidehi Sharma, Supria Gorka, Amiraa Singh, Aashrita Sharma, Araiya Shan, Kamakhya, Nirvana Shah and Jazz Shah.
The inauguration witnessed great enthusiasm among the participants and parents, marking the beginning of yet another enriching journey of creativity, learning, and personality development through theatre under the banner of Natrang.