Kathmandu International Theater Festival

Popularity of film and television has shuddered theater, however, the charisma of live performance is not lost. Interestingly, in order to survive the crux, theater has been developing aesthetics while film and television are becoming pulp.

Come December, you can watch theatrical performances in Kathmandu, Nepal, staged by theater groups from Europe, America and Asia. Aarohan Theater Group in association of Gurukul: School of Theater is going to organize Kathmandu International Theater Festival 2012.

In the third year of inception, Kathmandu International Theater Festival has found overwhelming response from the artistes who come from disparate cultures, countries, race and religion. Kathmandu International Theater Festival is not only helping Nepali theater grow, but also providing a platform to the theater workers speaking different languages. Over the years, artistes from various backgrounds have exchange thoughts and experiences, and learn from each other. Kathmandu International Theater Festival is growing as a theater movement and building a theater network worldwide.

Aarohan Theater Group and Gurukul School of Theater

Since its inception in 1982, Aarohan Theater Group has been performing Proscenium Theater, Street Theater and Forum Theater. In 2003, Aarohan Theater Group founded Gurukul, Nepal’s first school of theater. Over the years Aarohan-Gurukul, has developed into a theater center and become a sanctuary for the students of theater from around the world. AarohanTheater Group – in association with Gurukul School of Theater – hosts trainings and workshops, and conducts residential program for theater studies.

Aarohan-Gurukul also conducts poetry reading, Nepali classical music, art workshop and exhibition Theater is not the only the forte of Aarohan-Gurukul, it also has a publication division and performs Cultural Documentation. Gurukul School of Theater has produced two batches of theater workers and helped many international theater artistes by providing a platform to share and learn. Aarohan-Gurukul is also extending theater activities around Nepal, it has helped theater artists to establish theater group in different parts of Nepal. Aarohan-Gurukul has also established a branch in Biratnagar, a small town in eastern Nepal.

Aarohan-Gurukul has sponsored artists, and one of its seminal works included the world’s longest painting by a single artist in a single day. The painting by Kiran Manandhar, internationally acclaimed Nepali artist, is featured in the poster of Kathmandu International Theater festival 2008.

Aarohan-Gurukul also organizes national and international theater festivals. National Theater Festivals held by Aarohan-Gurukul are month long events participated by many theater groups and theater scholars in Nepal. Theater artistes, critics and scholars from Asia, Europe and America have participated in Aarohan-Gurukul’s international theater festivals.

Workshops conducted during Kathmandu International Theater Festival 2010

1. Master Class Workshop in Physical Theater by Finish actor/writer/director Adam Darius and Kazimir Kolesnik
2. The Art of Transformation by American writer/actor Ronald Rand
3. Theater of Oppressedby American director Hector Aristizabal
4. Theater of Oppressed by British director Anthony McGovern

International Theater Festivals in Nepal

International Theater Festival is a recent phenomenon in Nepal which was initiated by Aarohan Theater Group and Gurukul School of Theater. Aarohan-Gurukul has organized four international theater festivals so far.

NIB Theater Festival was held in 2004 which showcased performances from Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.

In order to commemorate the death centennial of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, AarohanTheater Group organized Ibsen Theater Festival in 2006. Theater groups from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Norway participated in Ibsen Theater Festival.

In 2008, AarohanTheater Group organized Kathmandu International Theater Festival, which was attended by the theater groups and theater personalities from Nepal, India, Thailand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Bangladesh.

Kathmandu International Theater Festival 2010 saw participation from Nepal, India (New Delhi, Bangalore, West Bengal, Sikkim), France, Thailand, Finland, the United States (New York and Atlanta), Norway, Iran, Germany, Spain, Bangladesh, Slovenia, Russia, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom. There were two performances for every plays, followed by an interaction with the director and actors, and press meet.

Kathmandu International Theater Festival 2010 was attended by many international theater directors, critics and scholars including

• Dr. Anuradha Kapur, Director, National School of Drama, New Delhi, India.
• Dr. Utpal Benarji, theater critic, writer and columnist, The Pioneer, India.
• Dewan Singh Bajeli, theater critic, columnist, The Hindu, India.
• Ratan Thiyam, Theater Director, India
• Hisashi Shimoyama, producer of Kijimuna Festa in Okinawa, Japan.
• Susan Quick, Artistic Director, Enabling Radio Drama, West Yorkshire, the UK.
• Anthony McGovern, Theater of Oppressed expert, West Yorkshire, the UK.
• Richard Gough, Artistic Director, Centre for Performance Research, the UK.
• Siu-Lin Rawlinson, Asst. Producer, Centre for Performance Research, the UK.
• Prof. Deborah Merola, Theater Director, the USA.
• Gunnar Thon Lossius, Theater Manager, Norway.
• Prof. Julie Holledge, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia.

To participate in the Kathmandu International Theater Festival 2012, contact:

Jeebesh Rayamajhi

Kathmandu International Theater Festival Coordinator

G.P.O. Box: 12819

Kathmandu, Nepal.

Email: gurukul@wlink.com.np

Kathmandu International Theater Festival 2012

Kathmandu International Theater Festival is in the third years of its inception. Aarohan-Gurukul organizes Kathmandu International Theater Festival in every two year. It is growing as a prestigious theater festival in the world.

Aarohan Theater Group and Gurukul School of Theater take pleasure in inviting applications from theater groups the world over for Kathmandu International Theater Festival 2012.

General Guidelines for the Participating Theater groups

• Kathmandu International Theater Festival does not have any theme. The participating play can be in any language, by any author, or an improvisation.
• Aarohan-Gurukul, because of budget constraints, can accumulate maximum of 12 participants, including actors and technicians, from one group.
• Aarohan-Gurukul will not bear the production cost, international travel cost and visa charge; however, will take care of all the local hospitalities including food, accommodation, local travel and city tour.

Aarohan-Gurukul Requires Following Details

• Title/language/duration of the play
• Synopsis of the play
• Profile of the playwright/director/theater group
• Director’s note
• Cast, crew and credit list
• Technical requirements
• High-resolution production stills and photographs of the director and the playwright
• Address and contact details of the group/director

Objectives of Kathmandu International Theater Festival

1. Promote Nepali theater culture and theater movement
2. Provide festive environment for national and international theater lovers and practitioners
3. Build a theater network worldwide
4. Create a platform for theater interaction and exchange cultural heritages
5. Improve and update with recent theater trends in the world

Visit Nepal and Participate in Kathmandu International Theater Festival

Major Highlights of Kathmandu International Theater Festival 2012

Kathmandu International Theater Festival will showcase performances by at least 18 theater groups, from more than 15 countries.

Aarohan-Gurukul will invite just over 12 theater scholars/critics from all over the world. The event will be attended by more than 250 artistes.

There will be two performances for each play which will be followed by press meet and talk program. At least 3 national dailies and 3 Television channels will cover Kathmandu International Theater Festival.

Aarohan Theater Group will publish more than 5000 festival brochures, and will distribute to the participants, media persons and other theater personalities.

Aarohan Theater Group and Gurukul School of Theater are planning display more than 100 billboards in various commercial centers and street junctions in Kathmandu.

Aarohan-Gurukul will conduct seminars and workshops on theater where more than 10 international scholars will deliver their papers. Over 200 scholars, artistes, teachers and students will attend the seminar and workshops.

Music concert, art/book/handicraft exhibition will be held during Kathmandu International Theater festival

During the opening and closing evenings there will be receptions. Representatives from diplomatic missions in Nepal, corporate houses, politicians, media persons, theater artistes and critics will be invited in the reception.

Members of the participating theater groups and other invitees will be taken to city tour.