Isadora Duncan's My Life

Details of the play

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Name of the play and Director:  Isadora Duncan’s My Life / Mayank

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About the Director:

Mayank is a theatre enthusiast, co-founder of Shoonya theatre group Delhi. Involved in field of theatre since a small age. He has been working under direction of Dr Rama Yadav and is closely associated with Shri Ram Centre for Performing arts assisting theatre workshops.

His learning in field of theatre began with T.I.E program of NSD, followed by workshops at Shri Ram Centre for Performing. He also got an opportunity to attend “Shakespeare at large” workshop at RADA London.

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Mayank has assisted Dr. Rama Yadav in SRCPA productions such as “Hannosh”, “Cherry Ka Begeecha”  , “Andha Yug”, “Katha Kahi ek Jale ped Ne” , “Konark” and “Pralay ki Chaya”. He has also acted in professional play, stories and poems such as “Ashad Ka Ek Din” ,”Andha Yug” , “Asadhya Veena” ,”Khali Jagh se ” etc.

Synopsis of the play:

“My-Life” is auto biography of famous dancer Isadora Duncan. She was born in San Francisco, and her love towards dance made her tour around the world. Her early life depicts her struggles and strong will to fight for rights of women, she made sure to commit her entire life to dance. She was outrightly against marriage and believed strongly that a woman has complete rights to motherhood, a mother is individually responsible to bring a new life in this world on her own irrespective of marriage.

Isadora had a dream to have her own dancing school, for which she dedicated her entire earnings and was successful as well. She met different loves of her life at different junctures and boldly describes each one in her autobiography which reflects upon her beautiful soul. One of the most tragic events in her life journey is when she losses her two kids to death, this incident completely shakes her off and had ever lasting impact on her shaping her later life and dance.

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Directorial Note:

Since the first time I read autobiography of Isadora Duncan - “My Life”, “Isadora” has woven herself in my mind and soul taking different shapes and forms attracting me towards her story, her struggles, her emotions, her loves and most importantly “Her Art - Dance”.

Making me read her story repeatedly taking inspiration, creating vague images in my mind.  How she challenged the society, practices which were against women laying down the path for future generations. Isadora’s perspective towards love says a lot about her beautiful soul creating a situation of conflict in mind of readers. Isadora talks boldly about her relationships, motherhood, her life’s ups and downs giving content for discussion which need to be portrayed in front of audiences. Isadora’s life is an inspiration for generations, her thoughts breaks the boundaries of mind giving new horizons, meanings to humanity, creativity and perspective. This story would touch audiences in different ways giving them different thoughts to reap upon.

This project could not have been possible without help of my Mentor and guru Dr Rama Yadav who helped me in almost all aspects of the Play ranging from scripting to design and acting. Entire team Shoonya worked together on this project to bring it to life. I would like to thank each and every team member of Shoonya Ajay, Ujjwal, Bunny, Sunny, Shweta, Aditya, Vaibhav,Surjeet,Punit,Abhishek,Amit ,Ashu, Deepu,Shekhar,Rahul,Shiv,Taha  to name a few.

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Cast and Crew

Isadora Duncan:  Rama Yadav

Isadora’s Mother: Surjeet

Vernon: Vaibhav

Hotel Manager: Sunny

Romeo: Aditya

Miroski: Anant

Augustian Dali: Mayank

Craig: Ajay

Henrik Thod: Abhishek

Dancer: Punit/23/7678460336

Female Dancer: Shweta/ 27/ 8810394643

Design and Direction: Mayank

Light Design: Atul Mishra

Choreography: Rama Yadav

Music Design: Mayank

Costume: Rama Yadav

Backstage: Amit, Abhishek, Punit, Ajay, Deepu

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