Panel Discussion: Drama-In-Education is now more important than ever

Panel Discussion: Drama-In-Education is now more important than ever

The ongoing pandemic is exerting enormous preressure on our school education system. Both the students and teachers are feeling the fatigue. All this highlights the importance and urgency of bringing drama-in-education into the mainstream. In the panel discussion, some of the most respected drama-in-eduication experts India and Europe will discuss these issues and possible solutions to addres them.

About The Panalists   

Dr Ashish Ghosh: Retired teacher of Political Science and children’s theatre activist

The importance of Arts/drama for education was revealed in course of his involvement with a community based school project (1980-86). The subsequent engagements linked dramatics to teaching-learning almost organically. He initiated community based children theatre workshops for Delhi Government in 1986. In 1989, he floated ANANT with focus on children’s theatre. He helped develop drama component of the Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.) of the University of Delhi, and for two decades conducted the practicum sessions in several colleges. He was part of the team of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) developing drama/theatre component for arts integration. He was one of the founders and ex-President of ASSITEJ India reaching out to TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) practitioners from all over of the country. He was the Convener of the first national conference on “TYA: Concept, Need and Possibilities” in 2011 in collaboration with Education Department of the University of Delhi and India International Centre.

He has participated in national and international festivals, conducted innumerable workshops and school projects with the young and their mentors, contributed in seminars and symposia, and published at times.

Professor Carmel O'Sullivan: Professor In, Education 

Carmel O'Sullivan is a Professor in Education in the School of Education in Trinity College Dublin, and the convenor of the Arts Education Research Group (AERG). She is a member of the Expert Advisory Group for Creative Ireland (Pillar One), and involved in several funded research projects in the areas of Social Drama and Autism Spectrum Disorder, early childhood arts education, and an innovative work readiness programme for young adults who face significant barriers to entering the workplace (Career LEAP). Carmel has particular expertise in the areas of creativity and inclusivity in education, working nationally and internationally with students, academics, practitioners and policy makers from the worlds of education, health, business, and community. She organises an international Summer School in Drama and Theatre in Education each year (M.Ed.), and is a founding member of ADEI (the Association for Drama in Education in Ireland). Carmel is a regularly invited speaker at national and international conferences, and has delivered lectures and workshops in academic and professional institutions worldwide. She has organised numerous national and international seminars, workshops and conferences. Carmel is very active in her local community and has continued to work with children and young people on a weekly basis throughout her professional career.

Dr. David Allen: Artistic Director of Midland Actors Theatre (MAT)

He undertakes regular drama projects in schools, with a particular focus on teaching history through drama. He is the author of numerous books and articles, including Stanislavski for Beginners (Writers and Readers) and Performing Chekhov (Routledge). He is currently leading two Erasmus+ projects on Dorothy Heathcote’s “Commission Model” and “Rolling Role” systems. He runs the website www.mantlenetwork.com and the Facebook group, The Commission Model of Teaching. He is the organiser of the forthcoming Dorothy Heathcote Now conference (October 2021).

He formed MAT in 2001. The company undertakes educational and community projects, as well as theatre productions. Current work includes the world premiere of Descent by David Calcutt and Sarah Sayeed.

Vaishali Chakravarty: Drama & Life Skills Educator & Director Of Joy of Drama

(panel moderator)

Vaishali is a theatre practitioner, drama educator and entrepreneur. She has performed in several theatre productions with Actor Factor Theatre Company. She founded Joy Of Drama in 2015, a fast growing drama and life skills training organization with centres across India and a number of successful online programs.​

Vaishali is one of the few theatre practitioners who have trained extensively in both the traditional and the contemporary forms. In addition to training under the Manipuri physical theatre masters Sabitri Devi and Late Heisnam Kanhailal, she has formally trained in Drama & Speech and has subsequently been awarded the ‘Associate of Trinity College London – (ATCL) Diploma with Distinction’ and 'Licentiate of Trinity College London - (LTCL) Diploma with Merit' in Speech & Drama and Performance Arts respectively. She has attended the Shakespeare Summer School at the Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art (RADA), London and completed the Professional Development Program in Drama In Education at the University Of Dublin, Ireland.