Walter Peter, director of the Theatre in Education Society (TiE), talks about the record-setting play to be staged by students of the city

Walter Peter is all set to direct 2,000 school students in a two-and-a-half-hour play, Colour My Wings, which has sought entry into the Limca Book of Records for being the largest dance group performing the longest non-stop dance drama.

“It is a musical play performed by children from Tripada School. India inspired me to write this play, and it is based on the diverse cultures we have in this country and the unity that they inspire,” he says. Walter has portrayed the colours in the play, more specifically, the colours of the rainbow, as symbols of expressions.

Walter, a graduate of the National School of Drama, Delhi, helps children explore the dynamics of the world of drama. “I began working with schoolchildren in Delhi and then moved on to conducting workshops in schools in the north-east and west under the Theatre in Education (TiE) programme,” he says.

“Teaching drama to students has been a part of me for the last 18 years and I plan on continuing this relationship I have,” he says. Walter has also worked with NGOs like CRY and Child Helpline, among others.

Walter’s work brought him to Ahmedabad, to work on a TiE project for Anand Niketan School. “The Anand Niketan family invited me to work in Ahmedabad. They felt that nothing much was being done in dramatics as part of the regular curriculum here. So, I developed this summer workshop and the Sunday theatre programme for children,” he says.

Walter’s programme includes plays like Khul Ja Sim Sim, Berakhpur Se Lal Kila and others. Also on the list is a show for Karnavati Club and summer theatre workshops. “I am working on a play, Garvi Gujarat’, with the children of Nalanda School. I am glad that schools here are showing an interest in theatre for students, as this helps in building a child’s overall personality. They learn teamwork, develop understanding and vision, and open up!” he says.

Mitaaly Naidu/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication