The National School of Drama provides a three-year full-time Diploma Course for entrants intending to make theatre their profession.

The central aim of the course is to prepare students for the practice of theatre.

To this end a variety of practical skills must be developed and a corpus of knowledge acquired. While all areas of study are assessed separately and a high standard of work demanded in each, the most important intention of the course is the development of the intangible concept of creative imagination and its expression within the collective framework of a group.

Training in the School is unique in several ways. It is based on a thorough, comprehensive and carefully-planned syllabus that covers every aspect of theatre from theory to practice, the results of which  are put to test before a wide audience. The syllabus takes into account the methods of great theatre personalities who have shaped contemporary theatre in all its forms and expressions.

Training includes broad-based training in classical Indian and western dramatic
traditions, Indian traditional and folk theatre, modern theatre trends in India and abroad, introduction of theatre trends of the world, and specialized training in Indian theatre traditions.

First year - Basics of theatre crafts and the history of drama

Second year - Options - specialization in Acting  OR  Theatre Techniques and Design

Third Year - Chosen specialization continues

The  faculty and visiting teachers comprising theatre practitioners from India and abroad design modules and explain the concerned art forms to students each year.

Situated in the cultural hub of Delhi, Mandi House, the School provides opportunities for students to witness a variety of plays, both Indian and foreign. Delhi also offers a rich fare in the visual arts, music and dance, providing students a wider perspective and awareness, which in turn broadens their approach to the understanding of theatre.

First Semester (July-December)

The first semester concentrates on the study of the Self and its application to theatre.

Acting

• Performance skills (basic), physical preparation, yoga.

• Exercises focus on breathing, humming, pitch, volume and singing.

Improvisation and Acting

• Through improvisation, silent and word-oriented, students learn to see, hear believe, react, observe and concentrate. The focus is on study of the self, the self and others, and self and society.

Movement

• Students learn how to know their bodies, voices and imaginations.
• They learn how to be aware of their bodies and concentrate on its rhythm, enter space and loosen their limbs.
• They acquire acting skills through classes focused on an understanding of the Self.

Theatre Techniques and Design

• Basic skills of technical drawing, sketching, carpentry and other crafts.

• Introduction to lighting, make-up, history of theatre architecture and conventions.

Theatre History and Aesthetics

• Modern Indian drama, world drama and autobiographies.
• Non-Indian traditions of modern classics like short stories, poetry and films.
• In Aesthetics, history of art and civilization examined through paintings.

Second Semester (January to June)

Acting

• Work on basic performance skills continues.
• Basic text and speech analysis.
• Scene-work and rehearsals of modern realistic texts that culminate in an in-house production.

Theatre Techniques & Design  

• Classes on basic technical skills like carpentry, mask and model-making continue.

History of Theatre Architecture

• Basic concepts and methods of scenic design, costume design and lighting introduced.

Theatre History and Aesthetics

• As part of modern Indian drama, the study of regional theatre, world drama and the history of major trends in world theatre, starting with Greek theatre, are introduced.

• Lectures on the history of art and civilization continue.

Third Semester (July to December)

Work in this semester focuses on classical traditions, both Indian and non-Indian. Students select from two streams of specializations: Acting OR Theatre Techniques & Design. Theatre History and Aesthetics are subjects common to both.

Acting (Specialization)

• Acting in classical Indian drama includes the study of religious roots of the form, stylized gestures, movement, dance and purvarang (live music played before a performance).
• Acting in classical Greek drama includes classes on animal and human masks, chorus, story-telling and verse-speaking.
• Scene work on Parsi / Sanskrit / Greek theatre are conducted as part of the acting classes.

Theatre Techniques and Design (Specialization)

• Advanced classes in this area of study include designing a classical text, history of theatre design, period costume, lighting, poster designing, graphics and model-making.

Theatre History and Aesthetics
(Common to students of both specializations)

• In Theatre History oral myths, epics, Natyashastra, Poetics, Greek and Sanskrit texts are studied.
• Principles of Indian aesthetics, architecture and painting are introduced.

Production Process

• Methodologies of production and direction are also introduced as a subject.

Production
(Required participation of students from both specializations)

• Productions are opened to public from this term onwards. They include a Sanskrit / verse play and one based on a traditional form.
• Extensive field work in the regional roots of the form is carried out.  Actors demonstrate and hone their acting skills through these productions.
• Design students participate in production work as stage managers and apprentices in the field of lighting, set design and costume design.

Acting
(For acting specialization)

• Acting for Shakespearean texts include training for a performance on an open stage and verse and prose speech.
• Acting for farce includes  clowning routines, mask-work and work on commedia del'arte (methods of improvising on comedy & farce).
• Scene work is performed on a Shakespearean text or farce. Related work on speech, movement and music continues.

Theatre History and Aesthetics

• History of Indian and Non-Indian theatres continues with additional inputs on Indian folk texts and adaptations.

Production

• A performance open to the public that will be either a farce or a Shakespearean play is prepared and staged.

The third-year syllabus is planned to give students an advanced training in Acting or Theatre Techniques and Design through a series of workshops conducted by eminent theatre practitioners. The workshops might include advance work with mask and gag routines,  puppetry, computer applications in theatre, realistic acting and/or detailed work on the objectives & handling of props.


For design students, advance courses in light design, scenic design and projects on designing auditoria and lighting for different kinds of spaces are conducted.
Film appreciation courses and a workshop on the connection between theatre and
media might also be included in the training.


Samples of Indian & Non-Indian texts are produced during this year for ticketed
audiences. The students do design work under the supervision of experts for these productions.

• The postal orders should be crossed Account Payee only.
• Testimonials, certificate copies and four recent passport size photographs, non-
• returnable, should be attached to the application.
• Original testimonials may be required to be produced at the time of the interview.
• Candidates are expected to be proficient in their mother tongue  and have a working knowledge of Hindi and English.

• Graduation in any subject from a recognized university.
• Proficiency in Hindi and English
• Active participation in at least 6 plays or any other field related to theatre.

• The course is open to all men and women between the ages of 18 to 30 years.
• The upper age limit is relaxed by five years for candidates belonging to the SC / ST / OBC categories.
• The candidate should be an Indian citizen.

• Medium of instruction is Hindi and/or English depending upon the subject and situation. Plays are, however, performed mostly in Hindi.

• Reservation for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC categories:
  Out of 20 seats, 4 seats are reserved for SC/ST/OBC candidates, preferably those from families traditionally belonging to the performing arts.
• Provision of admission for foreign students:
  Foreign students, preferably from the neighboring countries, may be admitted to the course. However, because of the limited number of seats, it is not feasible to accommodate more than 1-2 foreign students in one session. Such students have to submit their applications through the Indian Embassy/High Commission, who will forward these to the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. The School will then consider the applications recommended by the I.C.C.R.
• Recognition of the course for recruitment to superior posts and services under Government of India:
  The Diploma in Dramatics awarded by the School has been recognized by the Government of India (erstwhile Ministry of Education and Culture) for the purpose of recruitment to superior posts and services under the Central Government, where specialization is required in the field of Dramatics. The Diploma is equal to an M.A. Degree in Dramatics envisaged by the Association of Indian Universities for appointments of teachers in colleges and universities and for the registration for Ph.D.

• Training at the National School of Drama is rigorous and hard physical work is needed to acquire professionalism. Students are required to maintain sound health and possess enough stamina to participate in theatre practice regularly. Selected candidates are therefore required to submit a medical certificate from a recognized medical authority. Medical fitness is obligatory. The School reserves the right to get any student checked by a competent medical authority, in this regard, at any given time. If found unfit, despite all human sympathy, it may not be possible for the School to allow the student to continue his or her study in the School.
• Selected students are not permitted to receive any scholarship from any other source. They are required to furnish an undertaking in the prescribed form for non-receipt of scholarship from any other source.
• Selected candidates are required to join the School on the first day of the new session. The School does not accept students who do not join from the very beginning or who cannot continue for the full period of 3 years. The new session usually starts on 15th July every year.

• First-year students have to maintain a minimum of 90% attendance in classes, at rehearsals and productions, to be eligible for the examination. Second and third-year students have to maintain a minimum attendance of 75 % in classes for each group, i.e. acting, production, literature and stagecraft as a whole and 90 % attendance in rehearsals.
• Attendance of 90 % has to be maintained even for the morning classes. Punctuality and attendance are required for all classes and include exercises, lectures, rehearsals, etc. Late attendance for three days or absence from three periods is treated as equivalent to one day's absence. However, the above requirement of minimum attendance can be relaxed in exceptional cases with sufficient reasons, only at the discretion of the Director and the Faculty.
• The attendance of students at the above percentage would be calculated on a semester basis and any student failing to fulfill the required level of attendance will be disqualified from taking the semester exams, without further notice in this regard. The student will then have to forfeit the right to continue his/her studies in the School.
• No medical leave for a period exceeding three days will be granted without a proper medical certificate from the School's doctor.

• Students are not allowed to enter any other arrangement for training outside the School.
• Students are not allowed to seek or accept any engagements to appear in public, neither on the amateur or professional stage, nor in any radio, television or films. They will not seek any employment during their term of study.
• Students must conduct themselves properly in accordance with the rules that govern manners and appearance. Any student guilty of unbecoming conduct will be suspended or expelled from the School at the Director's discretion.
• Consuming alcohol in School premises is strictly prohibited.
• Students are not allowed to invite visitors or friends to classes, lectures or rehearsals, except with the prior permission from the Director.
• It is obligatory for the students to enact any role that they are handed. They must participate in rehearsals and perform the role in the manner required by the teachers or the Director.
• Students must acquire all the books, material or equipment as directed. Such material is available in School stores and its cost is deducted from the student's scholarship.
• Students will have to abide by the hostel, mess and library rules.
• Students infringing the rules are liable to disciplinary action.