Riddhi Kumar's Immersive Theatre Training Revolutionizes Her Artistic Process
Actress Riddhi Kumar has recently completed an intensive immersive theatre training program that has fundamentally altered her perspective on performance and artistic work. The Rajasaab star participated in a recent workshop that she describes as profoundly transformative and enlightening, marking a significant departure from her established camera-based acting methods.
From Intuitive Artist to Structured Performer
Riddhi Kumar openly admitted that throughout her career, she has primarily relied on instinct and intuition during performances. "I think I'm very intuitive as an artist, and I really rely on what I feel at the moment," she revealed. However, the immersive theatre training compelled her to reconsider this approach entirely.
The workshop introduced her to a more analytical and systematic way of examining performance elements. "It transforms arts into a science and tries to understand the most detailed nuances of a performance - expressions, emotions, and even how physicality changes with them," Kumar explained. This structured methodology represented a substantial shift for someone accustomed to working primarily before the camera.
The Transition to Stage Performance
One of the most significant transformations occurred as Kumar moved from camera-focused acting to live stage performance. "I had never really done theatre before. It was very liberating because theatre is a continuous process," she shared. The actress emphasized that theatrical performance demands considerable physical stamina and precise breath control, elements she had not previously prioritized in her work.
Kumar described how this transition enhanced her confidence and allowed her to discover new joy in performing for live audiences. The continuous nature of theatre, without the breaks and retakes common in film production, presented both challenges and opportunities for growth.
Physical Training and Emotional Connection
The immersive workshop included rigorous daily physical training that pushed Kumar beyond her established boundaries. "We were doing physical training every day, which was quite intense for me. I enjoy yoga, but this was on another level," she noted. Specific exercises like underwater breathing techniques proved particularly challenging yet ultimately rewarding.
These physical disciplines directly influenced her performance capabilities. "My breath capacity and expressions became more fluid. They believe that emotion is breath and breath is emotion. Once you understand the breath, the emotion follows automatically," Kumar elaborated. This connection between physiological control and emotional expression became a cornerstone of her transformed approach.
Lasting Impact on Performance Philosophy
The training has left Kumar with a renewed sense of intentionality in her craft. "I felt more intentional about every emotion that I was feeling. I was still going with the flow, but also understanding every small change in that flow—how it begins, how it ends," she reflected. This heightened awareness extends beyond emotional expression to encompass physical presence and control.
Kumar concluded by noting the comprehensive benefits of her immersive theatre experience: "Now I feel stronger, not just emotionally, but physically too. I feel more in control of my body while performing." The training has equipped her with tools that bridge the gap between instinctual performance and deliberate artistic creation, potentially influencing her future projects across different performance mediums.
