THE NEXT ACT
celebrating the experimental space
Explore the Lineup
The Next Act Theatre Festival is an invitation not just to watch, but to engage—dive into the creative processes, interact with the artists, and become part of a community that celebrates artistic innovation and storytelling.
I, JOSEF
Directed by Gaurav Singh Nijjer
Produced by Kaivalya Plays
ENGLISH, GERMAN
45 MINUTES
INSTALLATION
SHOWS ON
14 Sep
3 pm, 4:30 pm, 6 pm
TICKETS
INR 349/-
Heavy footsteps, an abrupt shout, muffled voices, rustling papers, a gavel’s clack, the city's hum, eerie silences, a ringing phone, sharp whispers, a cacophony of machinery, a jarring telephone ring, frantic scribbling, clang of a metal gate, a helpless scream... An unresolved fate.
I, JOSEF is an immersive binaural audio and multimedia installation that invites the audience to step into the shoes of Franz Kafka’s most well-known character, who is inexplicably arrested and put on trial for an unspecified crime.
This adaptation of Kafka’s Der Prozess (The Trial) is re-imagined through a unique first-person perspective that transports the listener into K’s unfathomable world through binaural audio, offering a three-dimensional immersive sonic and visual experience. Audiences are invited to enter a dark room and put on state-of-the-art headphones, placing them at the heart of the narrative and entangling them in the labyrinthine mind of Josef K as if the action were unfolding in their own consciousness.
Gaurav Singh Nijjer is an Indian theatre-maker, creative technologist and designer who creates hybrid, interactive and multilingual performances using technology and media.
He is one-half of the Indian theatre collective Kaivalya Plays and also collaborates with arts collectives in India, the United Kingdom and Europe. He was a German Chancellor Fellow of the Humboldt Foundation, researching hybrid and alternative performance formats as well as undertaking independent research around artificial intelligence technologies in live performance.
Gaurav studied at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, receiving the coveted Chevening scholarship. He has previously received artistic grants and support from Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (IFA), Moleskine Foundation, Goethe Institut India, Parivartan Arts Research Grant, MediaFutures, Schaubude Theatre, amongst others.
Cast & Crew
Gaurav Singh Nijjer, Varoon P. Anand, Paul Heeren, Matthias Dünnwald, Marta Kübler, Kriti Pant
GHALIB AUR KAHANIYAN
Directed by Anindya Kalra
Produced by Takhleeq
HINDI, URDU
60 MINUTES
MUSICAL, DRAMA
SHOWS ON
15 Sep
5:30 pm, 7 pm
TICKETS
INR 349/-
Ghalib aur Kahaniyan is an intertwining of dramatic reading and visualised performance of stories inspired by Mirza Ghalib's ghazals accompanied by heart-fluttering singing and music. The show is a beautiful sangam of movement, music, and poetry. It is a treat for anyone who loves theatre, music and, of course, Ghalib.
The performers present to you three original short stories written by Anindya Kalra set in three different eras.
Reminiscing the streets of Old Delhi, immerse yourself in the renditions of Ghalib's Hazaron Khwahishein Aisi, Dil Hi To Hai, and Aah Ko Chahiye.
Anindya has been working in the field of theatre & performing arts for the past 10 years and holds a master's degree from Osmania University, Hyderabad. He has participated in various NSD workshops and has been associated with many theatre groups for their productions. He has directed numerous plays for Takhleeq and several NGOs.
As a theatre practitioner, he has designed and conducted workshops with children and college students in the DU Circuit. He is currently working as a Theatre Facilitator at Bharat National Public School and has also served as a Teaching Artist in collaboration with the Directorate of Education, where he played a key role in formulating the Delhi Arts Curriculum during its pilot phase.
Cast & Crew
Anoushka, Monib, Waseem, Kajal Rawat, Shankeshwar Jha, Kaushal, Aakarsh Shukla, Akshay Raheja, Aman
ADIL HASAN KI YAADON KA NAQSHA
Directed by Akshay Raheja
Produced by Mrit Pathshala
HINDI, URDU
1 HR, 30 MINUTES
COMING OF AGE
SHOWS ON
21 Sep
5 pm, 7:30 pm
TICKETS
INR 349/-
Akshay Raheja is a writer, director based in Delhi. His work for the stage include: Kala Yug, …Dararein, Lifeline 9999, Rizwaan, /klauds/ and more recently Adil Hasan ki Yaadon ka Naqsha.
Assisting credits include: Djinns of Eidgah dir. Abhishek Majumdar, little scratch and the Cherry Orchard dir. Katie Mitchell.
He has written reviews for NorthWest End UK and is the founder of the theatre group, ‘Mrit Pathshala’.
As Adil gets ready to take the stage for his college performance, his character, Professor Woland—a demon—begins speaking to him, urging him to reflect on his past with his childhood friend, Ali. As Adil retraces his memories, he discovers Ali, his village, and the dreams they once shared.
जब आदिल अपने कॉलेज की थियटर सोसाइटी के परफॉरमेंस के लिए स्टेज पर जाने वाला होता है तब उसका किरदार, प्रोफेसर वोलैंड- एक शैतान, उससे बात करने लगता है। वो आदिल को उसकी यादों और सपनों के ज़रिये उसकी सबसे गहरी इच्छाओं और चिंताओं पर असर डालने की कोशिश करता है।
Cast & Crew
Anindya Kalra, Chhatrapati Singh, Kanishk, Ashra, Sharanya Juneja, Uma Katju, Rahul Rai, Aaryan Sadija
THE END
Directed by Nikhita Singh
Produced by Parwana Theatre
HINDI, ENGLISH
1 HR, 30 MINUTES
DRAMA
SHOWS ON
22 Sep
4:30 pm, 7 pm
TICKETS
INR 499/-
A college romance slowly takes a turn for something complicated and traumatic. A young live-in couple begins to realise that maybe love isn’t all that you need to build a home with someone. Doubt, deceit, and the past come to haunt a marriage that is struggling to survive.
An anthology of 3 stories about 3 couples, ‘The End’ uses text, movement, music, and memory to understand what we look for in romance and relationships when the odds are stacked against us, when love starts making way for loss, and questions about desire and the need for control start popping up. How does one unlearn societal norms and expectations to build relationships that are authentic, nurturing, and still filled with love?
We meet these 3 couples near what they think is the end of their (love) stories. But is it, really, The End?
A play about loving and losing, and going on living...
Writer, Director, and Educator - Nikhita has been working across theatre, film, and digital media for over a decade. Her work revolves around themes of gender and culture, and intersectionalities therein.
She has co-written Prithvi & Arpana Theatres' 'Deewar', along with a short play called 'Crime of Passion' in Tamaasha Theatre's 'Be-Loved'.
She's the Founder of Parwana Theatre, and the Director, Designer, Producer and Co-Writer of their maiden production, 'The End'. Her other full-length play 'Of Mothers & Their Daughters' has been selected for writing workshops, residencies, and is currently in talks for production.
She holds an M.A. in Media & Cultural Studies from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and a B.A. with Honours in Sociology from Maitreyi College, University of Delhi.
Cast & Crew
Mitali Kalagi, Rituparna Sanyal, Kaustav Sinha, Aditya Kashyap, Sambita De, Babusha Jain, Harsh Choudhary, Madhumoy Satpathy, Divyansh Thada, Simran Jagdale, Vivek Jadhav, Rahul Kumar, Vighnesh Kharadkar, Tanya Vaghela, Kajol Jeswani, Omkar Phatak
SHADOW
Directed by Rajneesh Gautam
Produced by LTG Repertory
HINDI, ENGLISH
1 HR, 25 MINUTES
VIGILANTE TRAGEDY
SHOWS ON
28, 29 Sep
1 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm
TICKETS
INR 349/-
Little Theatre Group Repertory's new Hindi stage production, "Shadow: A Broken Day," a gripping vigilante tragedy.
The year is 2037, and the city of Mahanagar is drowning in crime, its streets woven with dark, entangled tales. Among them is the story of Ashwath, an ordinary man whose life took a devastating turn seven years ago. What began as a typical life with his wife, Tahira, was shattered by "one bad day" that changed everything.
On a path lined with life and death, Ashwath transforms into "Shadow," a masked vigilante who takes on the burden of cleansing the city of its sins. Night after night, he dons the mask, losing himself in his mission until Ashwath is no more, and only Shadow remains.
Shadow`s journey brings him face to face with the enigmatic Professor, a man unhinged in a world striving for balance. For the Professor, no boundary is too sacred to cross in pursuit of his own twisted goals—neither social, emotional, nor ethical constraints can hold him back.
The inevitable clash between Shadow and the Professor spirals towards one fateful day—a Broken Day—that will change everything once more.
Rajneesh Gautam has been associated with theatre for the last 15 years as a writer, director and actor. He has worked as a theatre mentor at various Delhi University colleges and schools.
He founded his theatre group "SAITAN" in July 2014. He is the current Artistic Director of the Little Theatre Group (LTG) Repertory. A poet at heart, he believes in the freedom of art and speech.
Cast & Crew
Abhas Sharma, Akshiti Menon, Aryan Prakash, Bharat Joon, Devansh Sharma, Devanshi, Harsh Pahadia, Komal Bhadouria, Krishna Sonika, Manik Sharma, Mansi Kumari, Md. Shamse Alam, Mukul Sharma, Navya Pande, Neelam Rawat, Paritosh Joshi, Prachi Tiwari, Pragati, Priti Mohil, Priya Pathak, Priyanka Saini, Riyanka Rajpoot, Shivam Sethi, Shubham Panchwal, Tanishq Bhatt, Vipin Yadav, Yashika Gupta
Concept Design
This workshop is for theatre makers interested in exploring the origins of a play. It’s designed for those who want to tell stories unique to their context.
Conducted by Mrit Pathshala
In this workshop, 'concept' refers to the intention behind performing a play. This can be personal, literal, philosophical, historical, political, or formal. We will discuss how to connect our inspirations and ideas to the elements of play production: light, sound, stage design, video, performance, music, voice, and movement.
Facilitator
Akshay Raheja
Date & Time
13th Sep, 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Venue
Blank Canvas
Adapting Short Stories for Stage
An introductory workshop on adapting short stories and other non-dramatic texts, such as poetry, novels and other non-fiction writing, as narratives in theatre performances.
Conducted by Kaivalya Plays
Participants will explore methods of interpretation and dramatization, as well as editing and curating, to uncover the theatrical potential within non-dramatic texts. Kaivalya Plays will share the artistic working methodologies from their recent productions with the participants, such as ‘I, Josef’ where they adapted Franz Kafka’s The Trial into a unique multimedia experience, ‘Mining Hate’ wherein newspaper reports, court documents and social media data was used to create narrative, as well as ‘Cold Tales’ created from a collection of short stories. Participants are invited to bring one short story (up to 2 pages long) that they would like to explore during the workshop.
Facilitators
Gaurav Singh Nijjer
Varoon P. Anand
Date & Time
19th Sep, 6 pm - 9 pm
Venue
Blank Canvas
(Inter)Playing with Text & Movement
An intensive workshop for actors, dancers, writers, directors, or anyone interested in bringing elements of Text & Movement together in their practice.
Conducted by Parwana Theatre
When should one use movement with text? Do certain text pieces render themselves to movement more easily than others? How can one pull out elements from text to incorporate into the movement language they’re trying to form? Can movement guide text too? What kind of skills and tools can one use to make text & movement speak, sing and dance with each other?
Facilitators
Nikhita Singh
Babusha Jain
Date & Time
20th Sep, 3 pm - 8 pm
Venue
Blank Canvas
Documentary Theatre & Digitality
Bonn-based collective fringe ensemble invites participants to explore performance-making based on documentary materials (newspaper reports, books, interviews) and digital elements.
Conducted by fringe ensemble
Using the example of their location-based hybrid theatre performance Citizen Map, German theatre practitioners Frank Heuel (director) and Annika Ley (set designer and video artist) will invite participants to learn interview techniques, create narratives from real stories, and explore the interplay of digital technologies and live actors.
Facilitators
Frank Heuel
Annika Ley
Date & Time
26th Sep, 6 pm - 9 pm
Venue
Blank Canvas
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