BENGALURU: Startups have been a buzz word in Bengaluru which is home to many new and viable businesses. To tell about their successes and struggles, First Drop Theater has conceptualized STARTUP STORIES, which brings together some of the real-life stories of founders, their families and investors. “We’ve had friends and family members involved with startups and the stories they share are amazing. These companies are about the human element behind; Stories of dreams, stories of self-doubt and despair, following a different path, not giving up, support, trust and friendship, sacrifice, facing failure and dealing with success – stories about life itself. We felt it would be great to have a platform where these stories can be heard and seen and a place to share and connect,” says Co-Founder and Artistic Director, First Drop Theatre, Dr. Radhika Jain, an entrepreneur herself who has experienced the corporate and startup world.
The performance follows a playback theater format where audience members share their personal stories and the cast improvises on the spot. “So this is not a rehearsed, scripted play,” says the group, which meets once a week to practice the techniques of this theater format. “Since the group has people who have worked or are currently working in startups, we’ve had sessions where we’ve shared and played with each other’s experiences,” she says.
The team consisted of therapists, lawyers, software developers and business analysts, but also brought in life stories of caregivers and caregivers, letting go, remembering precious things, this was their first foray into startups. “We hope this performance will bring people together because the emotions behind the stories are universal,” she said.
Designed to be performed ‘anywhere’, the show requires no theater or stage, let alone theater or props.
Jain hopes viewers will be inspired to follow their dreams, overcome challenges in life, and see failure and success as two sides of the same coin. “We also hope people reflect on where they are in their lives right now, both professionally and personally, and get in touch with themselves a little bit,” she says.
The show will be held on December 14 at Lahe Lahe Indiranagar at 7 PM.
