Dear reader,

I hope this letter finds you healthy and content. I’m Garima Mishra, a Theatre actor/maker/facilitator. I’m writing to share an important milestone in my journey as a performer. I’ve been accepted in The Commedia School, Denmark, North Europe’s oldest physical theatre school, for a 2-year acting programme with partial scholarship but I need funds to cover travel and living expenses. Hence I reach out to you.

My relationship with the Stage

From an early age, I felt most alive on stage. I’d participate in every competition (even Rangoli making) until the school implemented a rule- one student can only participate in three competitions per year! I had to stop 😛

I thought I knew my way around the stage. And then came along Theatre! I discovered this art form in college. The Theatre exercises challenged my inhibitions, ego, conditioning and overall made me uncomfortable in a good way. My family was against me doing Theatre because of their fear of breaking rules of 'living in a respectful society'. That was my first hint to continue Theatre and raise important questions.

Initially I wasn't aware of why I am drawn to this Art form so much. Over the past decade of doing Theatre, multiple times the impact of art on artists and audiences has revealed itself to me. Theatre has brought me closer to myself. I first got this clarity on stage, in a moment of failure. Standing there, I understood why I’m drawn to performance: it’s humbling. Even though I’m the one in the spotlight, it’s about something much bigger than me. I now look at failure as a path to discovery. Art invokes a unique awareness and curiosity in me and the world around me—one I’d never have known without it.

My Theatre journey

I am confident to dive deeper into performance because of the people who became a part of my Theatre journey. The directors I got to work with really polished my artistic glasses so I can see the world anew. I got to work with:

• Prof. Subhadip Raha (now a lecturer at Bhartendu Natya Academy, Lucknow)
• Abhijeet Chowdhary (director) & Dhanashree Heblikar (Creative Director), Swatantra Theatre Pune
• Koumarane Valavane, Director of Indianostrum Theatre Pondicherry
• Vivek Vijayakumaran, Director of Our Theatre Bangalore
• Tyson, Manipur Kalakshetra
• Priyanka Chandrashekhar, The Nirali Collective Bangalore

And among all the plays I was a part of & characters I played, the most special was playing a 10 year old boy in the play Flying Chariots by Koumarane Valavane from Indianostrum Pondicherry. During the run of this play I got an opportunity to take this play to audiences in Paris, Limoge and Belgium.

I have been fortunate to learn from masters like Ariane Mnouchkine (Theatre), Nellai Manikandan (Devarattam), PK Sambandan (Therukoothu), Dr. Manish Mohanan (Kalaripayattu), Andres & Bettina (Clowning), Naren from Adavi Arts Collective (Paraiattam), Anmol Villani (Voice work), Nisha Abdulla & Veena Basavarajaiah (Journalistic reportage through art practises)... to name a few.

Why The Commedia School?

My discovery to find a place where I can learn, find my unique voice as a performer and create art has led me to The Commedia School, Denmark.

• The school was recommended to me by an alumini of the school who is an artist I admire and respect
• Teachers at The Commedia School are kind, empathetic and  emphasize on guiding students to find their unique voices as artists & performers through various forms of Theatre
• The school caught my attention because of their Clowning module. 

Clowning is an art form that has been calling out to me. The simplicity, joy and innocence of clowns are qualities I want to imbibe as an actor & human being. Clowns have this ability to create a story out of the most mundane moments, as if every single moment is an opportunity, a possibility! Clowning, along with mask work & improvisation (to name a few) are part of the school’s unique module. The school provides an immersive environment where I can focus on practising, creating, and discovering the unique performer within me- something I need at this point in my journey!

How you can help

As mentioned, I need financial support to cover travel and living costs. I will be raising money for two semesters at a time and currently I’m raising money for only the first two, a rough budget for the same is:

• Travel & Visa charges: INR 80,000 (approx.)
• Housing charges: INR 60,000 (approx) per month
• Food and miscellaneous: INR 20,000 (approx.) per month
• Estimated cost for six months: INR 6,00,000

Your support would mean the world to me. Whether through a donation of any amount or simply sharing this story with the right people on my behalf (tell them I said hi!), every bit helps in turning this dream into a reality.

What can I do for you, my patron

• Bring back my learning to our INDIAN Theatre communities, especially through my work with children
• Conduct a workshop for you or people (adults/kids) of your choosing
• Remain ACCOUNTABLE by sharing small notes/snippets about my journey and things I am learning.

Thank you, for being a part of this crucial point in my life! Please write to me on garimamishra514@gmail.com if you want to find out more about this journey I want to embark upon or just to say Hello! I would be happy to provide more details or answer any questions you may have.

Wish me luck!

Warm regards and love,
Garima.