Playing with Fire, an acting workshop, begins today at the offices of organisers International Center for Social Theatre (ICST) in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu. The workshop is being mentored by Caro de Feitjer, a Dutch theatre director and teacher.

The organisers said that the objective of the workshop is to train the actors for “an interactive and socially-engaged theatre.”

Feitjer, who is experienced in using the arts to create social and political change, said that the workshop will based on a method propounded by Helmond van Woudenberg, which focuses on training actors based on the four elements—earth, water, fire and air—and leading them through improvisation and interactions.

“For me, the magic of theatre is that people share a moment in space and time. Performing becomes more magical if the actor acknowledges the people that are at that moment in that space,” Feitjer said. “Movies you can watch over and over again and they stay the same, it does not matter if I watch or not. I’m not interested in that. I want to train actors to be there in the present moment.” Feitjer said that he wishes to give people a voice, a stage, a moment of playing around, a moment of reflection with this workshop.

The event will continue through September 7. Entry is free for all.