Have you ever needed to act however felt such as you didn’t have what it takes? Begin to Believe, an acting workshop by Bengaluru-based Vishal Nayer, is all about banishing these notions.
A six-weekend course, Begin to Believe will make acting accessible for everybody — from freshmen to these wanting to reconnect with the love of performing.
A passion remodeled
For Vishal Nayer, acting was one thing he discovered whereas working in the software program trade. In 2007, he was looking for an acting course that would match into his work schedule when he found MISF!T (My Interest Stays Firmly in Theatre), an acting studio based by Ratan Thakore Grant in Bengaluru.
“Ratan founded this acting studio in 2001, in the belief that anyone could act,” says Vishal. “His aim was to keep it language-free. MISF!T wasn’t about learning lines and delivering them well, but about making acting inclusive. There were no fixed languages and people from all walks of life came together to learn, grow, and perform.
Unlike conventional BFA or MFA programs which take two to three years, Ratan structured the courses in a way that made learning effortless yet profound. “Ratan used to teach in an easy way, with course content spread over two hours for two to three months. It was later revamped into a more structured weekend course,” says Vishal, who attended a number of Level 1 and Level 2 programs at MISF!T.
Vishal Nayer
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Special Arrangement
Soon, his curiosity grew from a passion to a ardour, and he was helping Ratan in directing, mentoring college students, and conducting workshops in faculties and communities.
“Ratan always encouraged me to teach. That made me take up this responsibility and continue his legacy after he passed away in 2021. I also felt that I should give something back to society, and that’s what made all of us renew MISF!T, which almost shut shop during the pandemic.”
Perks of happening stage
In 2022, Vishal determined to design a course to assist deal with points that almost all actors confronted with their craft. He referred to as it Level 2.1, which later grew to become Begin to Believe.
“There are two levels in Begin to Believe. While Level One is about the fun of acting, where you learn the foundations, Level Two focuses on advanced acting techniques.”
The upcoming workshop is a Level One and contributors who full the workshop, turn out to be part of the MISF!T group, Vishal says. “The specialty of this community is its vibrancy. It’s a family of craft lovers, inspired by the legacy of Ratan Thakore Grant.”
Anudeep Yegireddy, founding father of a startup in town, who was in Begin to Believe’s Level One batch in 2024, says the session honed greater than his acting abilities. “The workshop taught me acting, and acting taught me empathy. Not the fake kind where you mimic, but the real sort where you see the beauty in people. Now, I am less afraid to be foolish and am more observant of others.”
“Even at work, I build better products because I now empathise with users instead of forcing my ideas on them. Most importantly, I have become less apprehensive of people and am learning to enjoy the company of others.”
The subsequent batch of Begin to Believe commences on March 22 and might be held at TRIBHER, Koramangala. Call 77382 76736 to register.
Published – February 28, 2025 07:23 pm IST
