Q&A with Akshay Sharma

What is it like to train here at ITI?

Beautiful, it was something I was looking for. The best part of ITI training is working every day from morning till evening in the studios - failing at things again, and again, and again, and then finally finding or achieving something. Then starting again the next day.

All of my classmates have a different way of working and approaching things which I found worked quite well for us as a cohort. Each of us brought different things to the table and then the intercultural part gave colour and fragrance to our work, and we all blossomed together.

Think back to your first day here: what were some of your thoughts and emotions then?

I was excited for a new beginning in my life.

What made you choose to come to ITI?

The first time I heard about ITI was from G.Venu, who taught the Kutiyattam module at ITI when I attended his Navrasa Sadhna workshop in 2018. At that time, I was just hungry to learn more about acting and theatre and this school seemed the best place to satiate that hunger, which it did, but also increased my hunger more….

What's one of the most memorable experiences you’ve had at ITI?

Many. Every traditional form. Whenever Sasi spoke at a gathering and brought us all to tears, which was every time.

But one really precious moment was when Sankar, an alumnus, came during AIC (Asian Intercultural Conference). While we were working with him, he said a beautiful thing: "each traditional form has their own culture and their own community". For us all, ITI is our tradition and community, which was quite evident during the conference when we met older TTRP & ITI graduates - suddenly we all felt like one big community from all over the world.

What has it been like learning from and working with the teachers at ITI?

The teachers at ITI are very giving. If they see your hunger they will leave no stone unturned to help you, impart their experiences, knowledge and whatever they learnt from their mistakes. Almost all of them are performers themselves, so they have a vast bank of experience and wisdom to share.

How has what you’ve learnt here shaped or changed you as an actor?

I am not the same actor anymore. I have gained more ease both as an actor and as a person. It has made me more calm. When you surrender wholeheartedly to this training, you will experience things you never imagined before.

What are your plans after graduation?

To create original works and travel with them, and to collaborate with different artists.

What would you say to a new student or someone thinking of joining ITI?

ITI is worth it.

Any special thanks or parting words?

I would like to thank all my teachers for their teachings and guidance, my cohort and other cohorts from all over the world. Thank you Tan Chay Bing Education Fund for your support with the scholarship that has helped so much.

Profile photo and And the Cats Dance by the Light production photo by Bernie Ng