My name is Shakeel Ahmmad from Bijapur, Karnataka and I have been working in theatre from last fifteen years as an actor, actor trainer and director. I have studied theatre in Ninasam, Karnataka and in ITI-Intercultural Theatre Institute, Singapore. The training from these schools has allowed me to develop a work ethic to collaborate across cultural forms and identities, while researching the principles of traditional practices that might inform well-crafted, meaningful and socially engaged contemporary performances. I am here to raise funds of ₹ 370000/ for myself to study Masters in the University of Kent from September 2022.

Having experienced a diverse range of training approaches and having learned the necessity to put them into practice in different pedagogical contexts, I now feel I need to further reflect on and to refine these pedagogical tools for both the transmission of technique and for leading open-ended explorations of established performance training conventions. I believe the MA Theatre Making program will help me in guiding a deeper practical exploration and reflection on my craft as pedagogy and communication.

Being used to long-term sustained and intense practice, I now need to learn ways to let this practice inform my thinking, coaching, teaching, directing, through appropriate research, planning and designing. This will allow me to refine my work as an actor, trainer, a theatre practitioner and a director in India with a view to guiding the actors through collaborative devised projects that empower them as creators. The goal is to work on a truly intercultural level with actors from different cultures and disciplines.

I would develop my theories as ground for collaborative intercultural networks and projects on my return from Kent. Through these projects, my objective is to bring professional performances closer to the community to counteract theatre’s elitist tendencies and to make sure professional performance is rooted in the needs of the community. My vision is to create my independent work and continue to build an intercultural creative community thanks to the socio-cultural context of performance that I will have developed in the MA.

CWIT – Charles Wallace India Trust has awarded me the fully funded scholarship which will cover all the tuition fees (£ 17400/ ₹ 1740000/) and the living cost (£ 1200/ ₹ 120000/ per month) for one year. However I have to bare the visa charges, health insurance, air ticket, university’s other costs which is £ 3700/₹ 370000 but due to my family and financial situation, I cannot afford these expenses. That is why I am writing to ask you to support my studies. Just a small amount can help me to continue my theatre journey.

Your donation will go towards supporting my education and thank you in advance for your contribution. You have no idea how much it means to me to have your support. Please come forward to support my cause.


Any contribution will be of immense help. Do contribute and share this crowd funding fundraiser link with your friends and family.

Thank you

Shakeel