There is a vast cultural dissonance and disparity in holistic education among different sections of society in India, particularly among the schools serving underprivileged children, where education doesn’t stray from the textbook-based mold. Extra curricular activities such as drama, dance, and music are scarcely - if ever - given any priority. For these children, pursuit of artistic expression is dismissed as impractical, an unnecessary indulgence.
Theatre embodies a platform to explore identity, individuality, and tackle social issues with imagination and freedom. When it comes to children from urban slums, giving them exposure to the arts isn’t just about fostering creativity, but also providing them with a powerful medium in building resilience, confidence, communication skills and overall emotional muscle. Unfortunately, most underserved students are so far removed from such opportunities due to systemic neglect, lack of resources, and the perception that art has no value in the “real-world”.
With an aim to bridge this gap, The Dream Team was envisioned as a resource that positions theatre as an accessible vessel of knowledge and empowerment. By curating structured theatre-based activities, the project seeks to instill social-emotional learning, improve language training, and hone new pathways for underprivileged youth to experience different forms of performance and communication.