Bengaluru professionals fit theatre rehearsals around day jobs

Sindhu Savanur, 29, sometimes begins rehearsal at 7am before returning to her job as a senior financial modelling analyst. The early call time helps the Bengaluru-based actor and director avoid traffic and fit theatre around the workday.

Savanur joined Theatrenama in 2021 after setting theatre aside during her school years to focus on studies. She now also works with Rangved and Alchemy, and has directed productions including Manav Kaul’s *Chuhal*, *Tax Free*, *The Blind Men’s Club* and *Wrong Number*. Weekly readings take place before or after office hours; as a performance approaches, rehearsals can become daily.

Rehearsals around the workday

Sambit Debnath, 34, began doing theatre at IIT Kharagpur after seniors persuaded him to join the Bengali Theatre Society. Now a business development leader at Flipkart, he is involved with ENAD (Ekti Natoker Dal), Eklavya Performing Arts, Theatre Thugs and The Royal Indian Theatre in Bengaluru.

His credits include the Bengali plays *Ami Celebrity* and *Amrito Sandhane*, the English production *The Ungodly Disco* and the Hindi *Oedipus*. “You can let go of all shells and facades when you’re doing a play,” Debnath says. He says many of his closest friendships have come through theatre.

Debnath estimates that about 90% of people in Bengaluru theatre groups are part-timers with day jobs, making weekends central to rehearsals. Some technology workers rehearse on weekdays when their work arrangements allow it, while others step back when travel-heavy roles leave little time. Shajith Moosa, vice-president for global customer services at Palo Alto Networks, now takes up OTT and advertising shoots rather than theatre productions because they require less of his time.

Finding a theatre group

Workshops offer one route for newcomers, while WhatsApp groups, social-media notices and personal networks help people connect with local groups. Manoj Balaji, CEO of TatvaCare, says Bengaluru’s theatre scene is easier to enter than one dominated by a small number of large companies.

The work rarely brings a financial return. Some groups pay members, but performers often contribute towards production costs. Audiences also vary by location and language: Debnath says Whitefield draws stronger attendance for Hindi theatre, while central and south Bengaluru see more Kannada and English audiences. Bengali productions rely more on word of mouth and theatre networks.

Onsurity created “Office Drama”, a theatre event featuring nine emerging groups performing scenes set in offices. Co-founder Kulin Shah said the participating artists were chosen because they understood both performance and the demands of a 9-to-5 job.

For audiences, the weekend circuit includes venues such as Ranga Shankara, Jagriti and The Koramangala Club.