
History of National School of Drama
The idea of a central institution for theatre was developed during a seminar in 1954. Consequently, a draft scheme was prepared in 1955. The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), whose president was Jawaharlal Nehru, started making plans for the institution. Around this time, Bharatiya Natya Sangh (BNS) established the Asian Theatre Institute (ATI) on January 20, 1958, in Delhi with the assistance from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). In July, 1958, the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) had gained control over ATI. SNA is considered to be India’s National Academy of Music, dance and drama under Government of India.
In the next year, the government merged SNA with a newly founded school. Thus, the National School of Drama was established in April, 1959. Initially the school was located in Nizamuddin West and was known by the name, ‘National School of Drama and Asian Theatre Institute’. The first batch of this institute passed out in the year 1961. The school then shifted to Kailash Colony house. In this new location, Ebrahim Alkazi (1962-1977) the then director of the institute made the students dig and build platforms for a theatre in the backyard of a rented Kailash Colony house and also examined the syllabus. In the year 1975, the school gained the status of being an autonomous organization, under the erstwhile Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture, Department of Culture, with the name 'National School of Drama'. In the same year, the school shifted again to Bahawalpur House, which is identified as the residence of Bahawalpur, a former princely state and its present location. At this time, Alkazi designed two theatres for NSD. They are a 200-seat studio theatre and an open-air Meghdoot theatre, located under a banyan tree.
On 16th of March 2005, NSD was promoted to the status of a deemed university by the Government of India. But NSD Society requested to officially cancel this bestowed status in the year 2010. This is because this status could undermine the professional training, autonomy and flexibility required in the creative fields such as theatre. In October 2011, the status was finally annulled.
Course Offered in National School of Drama and it’s Aims
National School of Drama offers a three year full time post-graduate diploma course in dramatic arts. Each year, this school can admit only twenty six students from across India. The primary aim of the course in National School of Drama is to prepare the students in the practice of theatre. To achieve this aim, a variety of practical skills is imperative to be developed and a collection of knowledge must be gained by the students. The course also aims to develop an intangible concept of creative imagination and its expression within the collective framework of a group.
Subjects of Study in National School of Drama
National School of Drama covers multiple areas of study under dramatic arts. They are Modern Indian Drama, Classical Indian Drama and Aesthetics, World Drama, Voice and Speech, Yoga, Movement, Theatre Music, Acting and Improvisation, Theatre Architecture, Scenic Design and Stage Technology, Costume Design, Stage Lighting and Production Process. The institute also arranges appreciation courses and workshops for the students on different aspects of Indian art and culture, sociology, philosophy and history.
Training in National School of Drama
Training in National School of Drama ensures that the theory is related to practice. It is highly intensive and is based on a thorough, comprehensive, carefully planned syllabus which covers every aspect of theatre. Students are also required to produce plays as a part of their training, which are then performed before the public.
Performing Areas in National School of Drama
National School of Drama has three auditoria within the campus. They are the Abhimanch Auditorium, Sammukh Auditorium and Bahumukh Auditorium. Apart from these divisions, this school has a studio theatre and minor performance spaces, which are used on special occasions like the Bharat Rang Mahotsav. Apart from the performing areas, the school has other facilities like a video audio library and separate hostels for girls and boys.
Performing Wings of National School of Drama
There are two known performing wings of National School of Drama. They are Repertory Company and Sanskaar Rang Toli.
Repertory Company
Repertory Company is the professional performing wing of National School of Drama. It was established in the year 1964 with an aim to promote professional theatre in India. It has been headed by people like Om Shivpuri, Manohar Singh, Ram Gopal Bajaj (Acting Chief), J.N. Kaushal (Acting Chief), Anuradha Kapur (Acting Chief), Suresh Sharma, Sagar Kamble and Atul Singhai (Animation chief). This company has staged over 120 plays based on the works of about 70 playwrights and featuring around 50 directors in many cities in India and several other countries. It also celebrates a festival called the Annual Repertory Company Summer Festival every year. This festival is marked by the performance of new and past plays of the company. In 2004, the repertory celebrated its 40th anniversary with a theatre festival in New Delhi.
Sanskaar Rang Toli
Sanskaar Rang Toli, also called the Theatre-in-Education Company (T.I.E) was established in the year 1989. Presently, this company has developed into India's premier educational resource centers. It trains children aged 8 to 16 years. It is involved in performing plays for school and adults audiences regularly. The yearly theatre festivals celebrated by this company are Jashn-e-Bachpan and Bal Sangam.
Festival Celebrated by National School of Drama
National School of Drama celebrates the 'National Theatre Festival' called Bharat Rang Mahotsav. This festival is dedicated solely to theatre and is known as the annual theatre festival of this school. It is recognized as the largest theatre festival of Asia. This festival is being celebrated since 1999, usually in the second week of January (7-22 January 2011) in New Delhi. The festival’s satellite edition in Mumbai showcased plays of NSD graduates, including Ratan Thiyam’s Prologue, Bansi Kaul (Aranyadhipati Tantiya), Neelam Mansingh Chowdhury (The Suit), Sanjay Upadhyay (Harsingar), Baharul Islam (Akash), Mohan Maharishi (Dear Bapu) and M K Raina (Stay Yet Awhile).
Regional Centers of National School of Drama
National School of Drama decided to start Regional Resource Centers (RRC) across India. In the year 1994, NSD has set up first such centre in Bangalore. Such centers were opened by the institute to decentralize its activities
Extension Programmes of National School of Drama
Extension Programmes comprise of workshops for adults as well as children and are conducted under NSD faculty and alumni in various parts of the country and even in Nepal and Bhutan. They were launched in the year 1978.
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(Last Updated on : 31-08-2016)
FAQs
How can I prepare for NSD exam? ›
You can crack NSD if you really have the will and passion to be a part of it. You should have a good practical experience in Theater. Be it performing in different plays, working with different kind of directors, work at as different places with different people . That will enhance your experience in a way.
How many seats are there in NSD? ›To finally get selected in NSD, an aspirant also needs to pass a medical test. There are 23 seats in total.
Is NSD free of cost? ›When submitting an application, applicants must cover the institution's running expenses. INR 16860 is the NSD Delhi fee structure.
Which acting course is best? ›- Helen Mirren teaches acting (MasterClass)
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Ashutosh Rana | Nawazuddin Siddiqui |
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Anupam Kher | Om Puri |
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Himani Bhatt Shivpuri | Neena Gupta |
Irrfan Khan | Ratna Pathak Shah |
A drama school, stage school or theatre school is an undergraduate and/or graduate school or department at a college or university; or a free-standing institution (such as the Drama section at the Juilliard School); which specializes in the pre-professional training in drama and theatre arts, such as acting, design and ...
Can I join NSD? ›To apply to NSD, candidates can submit their application online, or offline by post. When registration is open, the application form is found on www.onlineadmission.nsd.gov.in or www.nsd.gov.in The application fee is 50 INR. To request the application form offline along with prospectus, applicants have to pay 225 INR.
What is the cost of acting? ›In general, acting classes cost between $150 and $2,000, a number that varies greatly depending on location, size of the class, and reputation of the educator. Group acting lessons typically run between $20 to $80 per hour in Los Angeles and New York City. Outside of those major markets, that range mostly holds.
How long is NSD course? ›The National School of Drama provides a three year full time post-graduate diploma course in dramatic arts.
How much do drama schools cost? ›
But on average, the degree for drama school alone will cost between $80,000 and $200,000, give or take. Of course, on top of that, you also need to pay for accommodation, travel, materials, living expenses...so the overall cost of drama school can reach an average of around $300,000. Yup, it's a lot.
How can I become a TV actor? ›- Pose for a professional headshot. ...
- Consider hiring an agent or an acting guild. ...
- Find open casting calls in your area. ...
- Develop your professional network. ...
- Practice for your audition. ...
- Pick a comfortable outfit.
Diploma in Acting course is a 3 year full-time course in acting, drama, and dance.
Is it hard to study acting? ›So yes, great acting does take training. It does require skill. You cannot just wake up one day and be a great actor. It takes time to train your eye and brain to look for action in lines, to figure out where and when to make bold choices and when to keep them subtle.
Did Shahrukh Khan went to NSD? ›Shah Rukh also reminisced about his theatre days in Delhi and spoke about his NSD connection. He said, 'I wasn't a part of the National School of Drama, but I used to work with a lot of actors who were from there.
Did SRK studied in NSD? ›After Hansraj, he began studying for a master's degree in mass communication at Jamia Millia Islamia, but left to pursue his acting career. He also attended the National School of Drama in Delhi during his early career in Bollywood.
Is Indian school of acting worth it? ›Overview. The Indian School of Acting is the best acting school in India. A young acting school which has become the go to place for all the aspiring actors and artists who come from all across India and from around the world.
How many rupees are in an acting class? ›Type of Course | Duration | Fees |
---|---|---|
Acting Certificate Courses | Vary from weeks to months (depending on the institution) | INR 10, 000 – 1, 00,000 |
Diploma in Acting | 3 Years | INR 1, 00,000 – 3, 00,000 |
Undergraduate Acting Courses | 3 Years | INR 2, 00,000 – 4, 00,000 |
- Acting in USA.
- Acting in UK.
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Famous for its perfect weather (and therefore the ideal location for shoots), Los Angeles is every actor's rite of passage. L.A. is understandably the hub to a large number of film and television productions and still holds the world's largest group of production studios than any other city in the world.
Where do actors study? ›
- Yale School of Drama. ...
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There are no education requirements for actors—formal training can be helpful, but there are plenty of successful actors who never got an acting degree. That said, pretty much every actor working today has received some sort of training along the way.
What is the syllabus of NSD exam? ›NSD Entrance Exam 2023 Syllabus
Folk Forms and Technology. Famous Theatre Persons in India. History of NSD Famous Persons Studied Therefrom. Indus Valley Civilization Art.
- Follow courses, trainings and workshops.
- Take a role in a play organized by an amateur theater. ...
- Study different acting techniques: Stanislavski's System, Method acting, Meisner Technique, Michael Chekhov, Lee Strasberg's Method, etc.
- Do exercises on a daily basis.
National School of Drama (NSD) is a theatre training institute situated at New Delhi, India. It is an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was set up in 1959 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi and became an independent school in 1975.
Are actors paid monthly? ›Generally speaking, for screen work, actors are paid a day rate. If they are needed for more than five days, they are paid a weekly rate. Rates vary if actors are needed for the entirety of the film shoot or the entirety of a television season. Television actors can also be paid per episode.
Do auditions cost money? ›Auditions should never, under any circumstances, cost you any money. While there's a good chance that you'll likely be investing money in the audition in other ways. For example, you might find yourself paying to have your headshots printed, your actor bio written, or paying for a talent agent.
How much do actors earn? ›According to Glassdoor, actors make an average of $56,763 per year, with $100,000 the highest and $28,748 the lowest earnings.
How can I join theatre in Delhi? ›Most aspirants don't clear the auditions. But if you not experienced enough to crack these hard auditions, you may find some easy going theatre groups at any performing art centre. For example in Delhi, you can visit either Sri Ram Centre or Indian Habitat Centre, just walk up to them and ask. Its that simple !
Can I pick up from NSD? ›
Yes, NSD provides home-delivery service throughout the United States, including delivery and pickup services for every zip code.
Is drama a good class? ›Drama Nourishes the Imagination.
activities nurture spontaneity and help students think on their feet and use their imaginations. Students learn empathy and to understand how others feel. They identify emotions Page 2 and have to express them. Drama also teaches patience and commitment.
- Yale. New Haven, Connecticut. ...
- The Juilliard School. Photo : T CHARLES ERICKSON/COURTESY OF SCHOOL. ...
- NYU Tisch School of the Arts. New York. ...
- University of North Carolina School of the Arts. ...
- UC San Diego. ...
- London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art. ...
- Guildhall School. ...
- The Old Globe and USD.
Most university drama courses are in clearing
But be aware that these tend to be courses with a fairly high academic content. They are not necessarily intended for the vocational training of actors and theatre technicians.
The salaries of Tv Actors in the US range from $18,902 to $504,331 , with a median salary of $90,673 . The middle 57% of Tv Actors makes between $90,673 and $228,468, with the top 86% making $504,331.
Is acting a career? ›Acting is a profession for people who want to expand their horizons and experience new people and places. Often, performers will get the opportunity to explore many different cultures; it's part of the research process and day-to-day work of being an actor.
What does an actor need to study? ›There are no formal education requirements to become an actor but a bachelor's degree in theater arts, drama, acting and performing, may be helpful in learning technical skills. Experience is of great importance in this career, as experience leads to bigger and higher paying roles.
How can I be a successful actor? ›- Jump into theater in high school. The path to acting careers can actually begin in high school plays and musicals. ...
- Get experience outside of school. ...
- Get educated. ...
- Practice makes perfect. ...
- Build up an acting resume. ...
- Hire an agent. ...
- Latest Posts.
Age 8 – 11
This is one of the best ages for getting started in acting as kids this age tend to be that little bit better at reading their lines and more disciplined with practice. Kids in this age group will sometimes play roles younger than their actual age as the group is generally easier to work with.
Job Outlook
About 8,200 openings for actors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
How do actors memorize their lines? ›
When a certain line is accompanied by action, movement, the actor will be able to recall the line every time. Another useful technique is to associate the words with emotions. Evoking an emotion associated with the scene makes memorizing the words easier.
Is acting a fun job? ›Acting can be incredibly fun
that allow you to play for a living. Acting is great because it can be incredibly fun. There are a lot of fantastic acting jobs available all around the world, including amazing acting jobs in television, great acting jobs in movies, great acting classes for kids, and so on.
You don't necessarily need a degree to be successful as an actor; however taking classes or enrolling in school can help you learn the basics of acting and provide you the opportunity to practice. Build your resume by gaining experience through side projects like student films, independent films or theater productions.
How many years course is NSD? ›The National School of Drama provides a three year full time post-graduate diploma course in dramatic arts.
How do I start studying for acting? ›- Consider local gigs. ...
- Take acting classes. ...
- Further your formal education. ...
- Join a local theater. ...
- Learn about the industry. ...
- Build your resume. ...
- Take a professional headshot. ...
- Start auditioning.
- Remember That Your First Acting Class Should Be Fun. ...
- Choose Clothes You're Comfortable In. ...
- Make Some Goals for Your First Acting Class. ...
- Practice Speaking. ...
- Be Comfortable With Making Mistakes. ...
- Get Comfortable Expressing Your Emotions.
- Exam Techniques…
- Be Rested. It all starts the night before the exam. ...
- Use Reading Time Wisely. The most underrrated part of the exam is not even a question on the paper. ...
- Before You Start. ...
- No Such Thing As A Favourite Question. ...
- Divide and Conquer. ...
- Finish The Paper. ...
- Be Busy.
The tuition fee for the course is £2,075 per academic year, which is £4,150 for the entire 2-year programme. This fee is inclusive of the required £500 confirmation payment (due on acceptance of place). The remainder is to be paid in two instalments of £1,825 before the start of each school year.
Is acting a good career? ›The acting industry can be a profitable one. For every acting job, actors are paid to show up on set and act their hearts out! And acting jobs can be found all over the world in huge cities like London and New York City. Acting is a wonderful career that allows you to learn new skills and meet new people.
What do you wear to drama school? ›First of all, make sure you put on something you feel comfortable with. Avoid vibrant colors or revealing clothes. You don't want the panelists to get distracted or worse feel uncomfortable, but instead focus on your performance. Plain colors are preferable, but avoid being fully dressed in black.
What are the 5 acting skills? ›
- Stanislavski Method. Konstantin Stanislavski developed this systematic training technique. ...
- Method Acting Technique. ...
- Meisner Technique. ...
- Chekhov Technique. ...
- Practical Aesthetics Acting Technique.
Some students prefer to wear gym clothes to a class so they can move freely, whereas others wear their regular clothes. Think about what you will feel more comfortable in before the day and that will take away a last-minute panic.
How many points are needed for drama? ›To be considered for this qualification, applicants must have an Admission Point Score (APS) of at least 27.
How do you pass a drama audition? ›- Be prepared.
- Be kind to everyone and smile.
- Be on time for your appointment.
- Use your waiting time wisely.
- Dress appropriately.
- Introduce yourself.
- Don't watch the directors.
- Mistakes happen.