Terence Lewis, Shriya Saran to conduct workshop with STOMP

Bollywood actress Shriya Saran and choreographer Terence Lewis will conduct a special workshop for dance enthusiasts in collaboration with the iconic British dance theatre group STOMP.

Talking about the workshop and his collaboration with STOMP, Terence told IANS: "It is a special moment for me to collaborate with STOMP. I think it was ten years ago that I experienced a STOMP performance in New York and Singapore. I was in awe of them. Now I am going to conduct a workshop with them... It's quite surreal and I am excited."

He said the workshop will be about showing how some Indian elements can be used from our daily life for a "stomping act".

"I will be using things like empty Dalda boxes and asbestos sheet to create something interesting. A lot can be created using small things," Terence added.

The workshop, which will take place on December 14, is open to all dance enthusiasts and they are specially encouraging the children of Dharavi slum area here.

"These kids will get the opportunity to broaden their horizon. Since they are underprivileged, most of them live with an idea that performing arts is for the elite. That is not true. If you look at the history of Stomp dance, native Americans community and tribes perform it.

"So they will be able to relate to the idea of how any objects from our daily life can be used for dance! This is also a great opportunity for cultural exchange and exposure," Terence said.

Shriya, who is very excited after watching the STOMP show here, will also take part in the workshop. She thanked Ashwin Gidwani who brought the theatre group to Mumbai.

STOMP, which consists of Luke Cresswell, John McAuley and Steve McNicholas, created a physical theatre performance using the body and ordinary objects from daily life. They performed here earlier this week.

It is currently on a special tour as after touring 53 countries and six continents, STOMP is celebrating their 25th anniversary with their maiden tour to India.

--IANS

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