The Growing Craze of Performing Arts Among Young Minds!

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in performing arts among children and young adults. This is evident in schools through workshops, cultural society programmes, and stage performances, with drama now becoming a part of the curriculum in many institutions. Beyond schools, India has also seen the rise of institutes that offer professional theatre training to young performers. One such institute is Joy of Drama, which is all set to present its upcoming professional play, Live! From the Warehouse.

The play features young artists Aryaman Krishna Aggarwal and Vrishab Wig in lead roles. We spoke to both actors about the play, their characters, and the realities it reflects.

Aryaman, when you first heard the story of Live! From the Warehouse, what excited you most about being part of it?

Aryaman: What excited me first was how real everything felt. It did not look like a simple school play. It showed pressure, friendship, fear, and the internet, all mixed together. Two normal boys suddenly become a big story. That idea felt thrilling and scary at the same time. I liked that the play does not judge them too quickly. It lets the audience think about what is right and wrong.

Vrishab, did you find it easy to connect with your character, especially since phones and social media are such a big part of daily life today?

Vrishab: At first, connecting with my character wasn’t completely easy, especially when it came to finding the madness and childishness of Riyan. It didn’t come naturally straight away, and I had to step slightly outside my comfort zone. It wasn’t a struggle, but it did take time and experimentation. Otherwise, I could relate to most of his decisions and even found similarities in the way he spoke, which helped me understand him better.

Aryaman, while rehearsing and performing this play, did you notice any changes in your own phone or social media habits?

Aryaman: Yes, a bit. During rehearsals we noticed how often we picked up our phones without thinking. The play shows how content can become more important than people. After that, we started keeping our phones away more, especially during meals, rehearsals, or serious conversations. It has not made us perfect, but it made us more aware that life is happening in front of us, not only on screens.

Vrishab, what was the most fun or challenging moment for you while performing together on stage?

Vrishab: One of the most rewarding parts of performing together was seeing the other actor grow. I’ve worked with Aryaman from a young age on several projects, so being on stage together again really showed how much we’ve both developed. Watching his growth as a performer, while recognising my own, made the experience meaningful. That shared history helped our chemistry on stage and made performing together feel more natural and satisfying.

Aryaman, the play talks about friendship, loneliness, and wanting to be noticed. Which of these emotions felt most real to you while acting?

Aryaman: Wanting to be noticed felt the most real. Everyone wants to be seen. In the play, that simple feeling slowly turns dangerous. But loneliness is also everywhere in the story. The boys feel unseen by adults and misunderstood by friends. Their friendship helps them, but it also creates pressure. These emotions felt honest. Teenagers often act confident, but inside they are scared of failing or disappearing.

Vrishab, how was performing in this play different from your regular school life or everyday routine?

Vrishab: Performing in this play was very different from my regular school life because it allowed us to do more real acting. The process built and nurtured a strong sense of dedication and rigour, pushing me to commit fully. It challenged me in ways I never imagined and required constant effort and focus. School feels more comfortable, whereas this experience pushed me to take risks and grow as a performer.

Aryaman, what do you think people your age will feel or understand after watching this play?

Aryaman: I think they will see parts of themselves. The pressure to succeed, the wish to go viral, and the fear of letting parents down. Some scenes may feel uncomfortable. The play does not hide consequences. But it also says that teenagers deserve to be understood. I hope it starts real conversations about stress, friendship, mental health, and how quickly we judge people online.

Vrishab, if parents, teachers, and other audiences watch Live! From the Warehouse, what message do you hope they take back with them?

Vrishab: I hope the play creates empathy rather than conclusions. I hope it allows them to feel the quiet weight of what young people carry, even when it isn’t spoken out loud. Instead of searching for lessons, I want them to sit with the discomfort, the silence, and the uncertainty. If they leave thinking a little more carefully about how they listen, notice, and connect, then the play has done its job.