Drawing from Grotowski’s ideas on the work of the actor, Jyoti will introduce participants to techniques and processes she has honed over the years, redefining what it means to create as an actor.

This session will focus on:

- The actor’s body as the center of imagination and creation.

- Techniques for generating material—text, sound, physical motifs, and movement—from within.

- Shaping these elements into fluid, visceral imagery rather than conventional narratives.

This is primarily a talk and demonstration-based workshop, offering an introduction to the proceed of an actor as a make. While it won’t involve much physical activity, it’s perfect for those eager to explore a fresh perspective on the actor’s craft and the creative process.

Whether you’re an artist, theatre enthusiast, or curious learner, this workshop promises to inspire and provoke new ways of thinking about performance and storytelling.

Jyoti Dogra In Residence for MEZOK at G5A, Mahalaxmi.

MEZOK is a collection of stories woven into a physical narrative that examines the nature of desire, a snow-covered mountain, and the system we find ourselves in.

A table with an under shelf and a person called Pavitra Kumar is at the centre of the piece. The table becomes a vehicle for exploring spaces held together by the pieces of wood, while Pavitra Kumar explores spaces held together between dreams and reality, language and lullabies, desire and distances.

A mountain that makes wishes come true

Wishes that move mountains

And the bureaucratic red tape that ties all this together through an endless maze of application forms, identity cards, permits, licenses, permanent addresses, passport numbers, account numbers, block numbers, room numbers, window numbers, and token numbers.

Mezok moves through multiple narratives that are corporal in nature using the table as a set, a co-actor, as abstract space along with physical and aural imagery, using gestures, sounds [mumblings/chants/ songs], and spoken text. The piece does not look to convey the specific details of these stories so much as to use them as provocations evoking a sense of the world that we find ourselves in - a maze of systems, processes numbers as we maneuver our way through it carrying our dreams and desires with us like a snow-covered mountain within. 

SCHEDULE

November 30

19:30 - In Conversation with Jyoti Dogra

December 01

15:00 - Open Rehearsal

December 04

17:00 - Workshop by Jyoti Dogra

December 05

19:00 - MEZOK Premiere

December 06

19:00 - MEZOK Show #02

December 07

17:00 - MEZOK Show #03

20:30 - MEZOK Show #04

December 08

17:00 - MEZOK Show #05

20:30 - MEZOK Show #06

Cast and Credits

Devised and performed by – Ambika Kamal, Jai Prakash Kumar, Naveen Kumar J, Pranshu Shrimali, Pranjal Vaid, Tsering Lhamo.

Costume Design – Pallavi Patel

Light Design – Jose Koshy

Sound Design – Kaizad Gherda

Table Design – Siddharth Sirohi, Baro Design

Executive Producer – Sachin Kamani

Writing and Direction – Jyoti Dogra

Rehearsal Residency Courtesy – Nirdigandha

Produced by G5A Forum and Jyoti Dogra

MEZOK is supported by BNP Paribas

Additional support by Meena Gonsalves

Many thanks to Prakash Raj, Akhil Wable, Shed 9, Anoop Gupta, Marie-Hélène Zérah, Anuj Chopra, Dhruv Malick, Puneet Nanda, Anya Ghai, Seema Bhatia and Rehaan Engineer.

G5A forum

produces and co-creates interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work that is bold, experimental, and just.

In Residence, a production series, creates space for practitioners to explore their craft, form, and expression to consistently and rigorously refine their practice. Each production is hosted over an extended duration at the warehouse, enabling work that is multidisciplinary and grounded in traditional and contemporary performance methods.