From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, July 15: The third edition of ‘The Umbrella Project,’ a five-day residential theatre workshop for the hearing and speech impaired, was on Monday inaugurated by the Directorate of Arts & Culture, at Ferrando Speech & Hearing Centre, Umniuh Khwan, Ri-Bhoi.
Titled ‘Unlocking the Power of Expression’, the third edition of the workshop focuses on persons with disabilities (PwDs), particularly the hearing and speech impaired.
The Umbrella Project, conceptualised in 2019, aims to gather all art disciplines under one umbrella, bringing together participants from all twelve districts to learn and interact under the guidance of renowned local talents.
While the first edition was held in Shillong in November 2022, the second was held in Tura in September 2023.
With both programmes becoming successful in East Khasi Hills and West Garo Hills, the government went ahead to continue the project and organise similar workshops in other districts.
The unique and innovative theatre workshop in the third edition provides a platform for hearing-impaired individuals to express themselves, tell their stories and participate in the dramatic arts. It also aims to equip participants with the necessary skills and confidence to engage in theatre and other art forms.
Meanwhile, the Director of Arts and Culture department, Dikki D. Shira, informed that the idea of the project is to bring together various art forms and artists under one platform and to unite theatre artists and actors from across the state, allowing them to interact, share experiences and learn from one another under the guidance of local talents and experts in the field.
“This platform provides an opportunity for participants to engage with resource persons and experts, enhancing their skills and knowledge. The first edition was organised in Shillong, the second in Tura and now we are here in Ri-Bhoi district for the third edition. Last year, in the second edition, we included persons with disabilities, and their participation highlighted the need for a dedicated workshop,” Shira said.
It was also informed by Shira that the department plans to continue holding the workshop in other parts of the state, possibly Jowai.