5 hrs ago
Pune Teacher Uses Theatre to Shape Future Acting Stars
Ravindra Satpute is a teacher in Pune who uses theatre to help children learn.
He joined New English School, Ramanbaug, in 2003.
Instead of using only regular lessons, he writes plays that suit his students.
He teaches students acting as well as makeup, art direction, and music editing.
He once directed a huge play with 2,550 students and staff members.
One student he noticed dancing on a classroom bench later became actor Parth Bhalerao.
Many other students also found careers in acting, theatre, or music.
Satpute says theatre builds confidence that can help students in everyday jobs.
He schedules rehearsals so that students’ regular studies do not suffer.
Ravindra Satpute has used theatre for more than two decades to teach students at New English School, Ramanbaug, in Pune.
He writes age-appropriate plays and uses large group productions to involve far more students than standard drama competitions allow.
His production of “Jaanta Raja” featured 2,550 students and school staff members and entered the Limca Book of Records.
Students learn acting alongside makeup, art direction, and music editing, while theatre also helps explain mathematics and science concepts.
Former students, including Parth Bhalerao and other alumni, have pursued careers in Marathi film, theatre, music, and corporate work.
- Who
- Ravindra Satpute, a Marathi and Hindi teacher, and students of New English School, Ramanbaug.
- What
- Satpute has integrated theatre into teaching and helped students develop acting, creative, and practical skills.
- Where
- New English School, Ramanbaug, in Pune, Maharashtra.
- When
- He joined the school in June 2003 and has developed the theatre program over more than two decades.
- Why
- He believes theatre builds confidence, encourages unique expression, includes more students, and can make academic subjects easier to understand.
Key facts
- Teacher
- Ravindra Satpute
- School
- New English School, Ramanbaug, Pune
- School joining date
- June 2003
- Major production
- “Jaanta Raja”
- Production scale
- 2,550 students and school staff members
- Recognition
- The production earned a spot in the Limca Book of Records
- Former students
- Parth Bhalerao, Chinmay Patwardhan, Gaurav Barve, and Tanmay Jakka are among the successful alumni mentioned
Quotes
Ravindra Satpute
Marathi and Hindi teacher and theatre educator at New English School, Ramanbaug
“I saw a tiny fifth grader dancing on a classroom bench with incredible energy. When I called him down, he thought he was going to get a scolding. Instead, I just asked him if he wanted to act in a play.”
indianexpress.com
“While acting, I often find myself realising that whatever I am doing can turn out well if I put in the effort. And I owe that confidence to Satpute Sir and New English School Ramanbaug.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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