IAPAR

About Us

International Association for Performing Arts and Research is a network of Artists and Arts Professionals seeking to exchange ideas, increase opportunity within the arts community and connect all within it. IAPAR encourages independence and openness for inter-disciplinary thinking and action. It works as the Indian Centre of International Theatre Institute. IAPAR was established in 2013 and since then it has initiated several projects and has been a part of a lot of international festivals and networks. Along with its several productions, workshops, collaborative projects, IAPAR has also initiated a research project called ‘Arts and Entrepreneurship’. It is one of the founding projects of the UNITWIN network. The project tries to look at the artist’s education and possibilities of inculcating entrepreneurial attitude in the artist community. Along with the several on-going projects, IAPAR initiated the first IAPAR International Theatre Festival in November 2016.

Vidyanidhee Sudheer Vanarase (Prasad)
Founder & Director Of IAPAR.

Vidyanidhee Sudheer Vanarase (Prasad), born and brought up in Pune, completed his Post Graduation in Dramatic Arts from the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi. He has directed more than fifty plays in Marathi, Hindi, Konkani, Kannada and English. He has gained proficiency in various interrelated areas – Direction, Teaching and Mentoring, Administration and Management of Arts and Applied Arts.

Production

THE BALANCING ACT
THE BALANCING ACT
DIRECTED BY
VIDYANIDHEE BANARASE
“The Balancing Act” a play that looks at violence and abuse as seen and experienced by young children in day to day life. The questions raised in this play seem to apply to many of the struggles of a whole generation, no matter the age. The play throws light upon children’s perspective of violence and their perception of it. It has been warmly and enthusiastically received by the young ones as well as adults. The running time of the performance is 60 minutes approximately and the language of the play is ‘Gibberish’.
 

IN TRANSIT
DIRECTED BY
ADITI VENKATESHWARAN

In Transit directed by Aditi Venkateshwaran is a non-verbal dance theatre performance that examines the representation of systemic and subjective movement in contemporary cultural looking at bodies in transit in India. The performance looks at the intensity of the movements & moments we experience on the streets. It senses the physicality in strong and soft tones, a constant searching and uncovering, everything we see around us that we cannot forget and carry within us. “In Transit” was performed at the Eastern University in Batticaloa Sri Lanka, in Colombo at the Colombo International Theatre Festival, in April 2017, IAPAR International Theatre Festival 2017, Abhinaya National Theatre Festival, Hyderabad and was also invited to BABEL FAST International Arts festival, Romania.

DNA
DIRECTED BY
VIDYANIDHEE VANARASE
“DNA” a play written by Giorgos Neophytou, a veteran playwright from Cyprus. DNA talks about the story of a soldier lost in the battle and the family that’s left behind. This play is performed in non traditional performing spaces, mainly homes!
TITUS ANDRONICUS
DIRECTED BY
VIDYANIDHEE VANARASE
IAPAR was a part of the Titus Project, one of the founding projects of UNESCO UNITWIN Network for Higher Education in Performing Arts. It produced a multi­ lingual production of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus in the year 2013­-2014.

WORKSHOPS

In addition to the full-time projects, IAPAR offers a variety of master classes, workshops and short programmes for children as well as adults throughout the year. The workshops are designed to horn their artistic and personal enrichment, planned meticulously and facilitated by art practitioners, teachers and performers. We believe in creating opportunities of long-term learning through a range of workshops that focus on acting and theatre, clowning, voice and speech, voice-overs, physical theatre & contemporary movement with special emphasis on improvisational skills, writing, story telling and encouraging interdisciplinary approach between literature and visual art.

PROJECTS

THEATRE IN
EDUCATION

IAPAR has initiated a detailed theatre training program for children across various schools from the Std 4th to 9th giving children an opportunity to explore theatre and performance. More than 750 students in a school are benefited by this ongoing project initiated by IAPAR.

ANANDRANG

Through the Anandrang project we have been working with children for the past two decades. We believe in continuous process of development. The Anandrang project includes workshops and performances for children aged 8 to 14. So far more than a 1000 children have been a part of this programme as well as performances. It provides opportunities for extra-curricular social experiences and expressive activities.

ARTS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

IAPAR initiated a research project, as one of the founding projects of the UNITWIN network. The project tries to look at the artist’s education and possibilities of inculcating entrepreneurial attitude in the artist community.

IAPAR THEATRE MENTORSHIP PORGRAMME

The Mentorship Programme is a new and exciting series of sessions that offer youth the chance to learn behind-the-scenes work in theatre and performing arts. Its aim is to provide interested students with an opportunity to learn about theatre in a hands on way. To learn by doing, learn through working. Over the course of nine months, IAPAR will be investing in the development of those with an active interest in becoming diverse, proactive and engaging theatre practitioners.

Our Team & Staff

IAPAR International Theatre Festival is led by our Festival Director Mr Vidyanidhee Vanarase, Associate Director Dr Ajay Joshi , Festival Development Head Mr Dheeresh Joshi and Festival Secretary Aditi Venkateshwaran. The Executives are supported by the core artistic team of International Association for Performing Arts and Research.

The Festival has been supported by Lalit Kala Kendra (Gurukul), Savitribai Phule Pune university, Maharashtra Cultural Centre, Kalachhaya Cultural Centre, URMEE, Shyamchi Aai Foundation and Patheya Trust.

ARTISTIC & PROGRAMMING
Festival Director – Mr Vidyanidhee Vanarase Associate Director – Dr Ajay Joshi Festival Development Head – Mr Dheeresh Joshi Festival Secretary – Aditi Venkateshwaran
FESTIVAL TEAM

Allied Activities – Ashwini Giri
Design and Publicity – Madhura Pendse
Logistics – Zubin Khetani
Technical – Ashish Vaze
Venue – Harshad Rajpathak
Documentation – Rohan Wekhande
Operations – Tanmayee Ambekar
Media and PR – Kushal Khot

Team

Top (Left to Right) – Dheeresh Joshi, Nikhil Gadgil, Vidyanidhee Vanarase, Ashish Vaze, Ajay Joshi, Kushal Khot
Bottom (Left to Right) – Rohan Wekhande, Tanmayee Ambekar, Madhura Pendse, Aditi Venkateshwaran.