Our mission is to empower individuals and communities to reach their full potential, so they can actively and positively contribute as members of an inclusive, open, and tolerant society.
A powerful methodology for social good
We are all actors in the world we are creating, and theatre enriches our abilities as performers, collaborators, and storytellers, empowering us in numerous ways to positively impact society by:
Universal access to theatre is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity. By nurturing personal growth and fostering community cohesion, theatre becomes a powerful force for social transformation. When theatre is accessible to all, we strengthen the bonds that unite us, creating a more inclusive, empathetic, and resilient world.
Current Initiatives
The DSFM is designed to be a platform, on which projects that bring theatre into every aspect of life are initiated.
Forging a new generation of theatre-makers
- 260 professionally active alumni
- 30+ original productions
- 12+ new theatre groups
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Based at the historical Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh, the birthplace of contemporary Marathi Theatre, the Drama School Mumbai (DSM) transforms the theatre sector by training skilled professionals. Offering top postgraduate programs, DSM fosters creativity and storytelling, producing actors, creators, and entrepreneurs who enrich society beyond acting, directing, and writing.
Making high-quality drama-based e-learning accessible to everyone
- 8 e-courses in acting live
- 5000+ subscribers since July 2021
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An innovative e-learning platform offering high-quality, pre-recorded acting and theatre courses. Designed to democratise theatre education, it provides self-driven, flexible learning opportunities, helping those who do not yet have the exposure, capability, or means but have the desire to develop essential skills such as acting, storytelling, and communication from the comfort of their homes.
Bring drama enhanced education practice teachers across the spectrum
- 12 years, 20 cities, 60 schools
- 2000 teachers skilled in using drama for better learning
- Lakhs of students engaged
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TP Education & Theatreशाला integrate drama into K-12 curricula, enhancing teaching & learning through drama-based methods. They promote classroom engagement, academic performance, inclusivity & creativity. Using theatre games, role-playing, & improvisation, these initiatives equip teachers with dynamic tools that go on to foster students’ intellectual & personal growth, with an emphasis on socio-emotional skill.
Enhancing the corporate workforce through drama
- 67 companies, multiple cities in India and abroad
- 35,000 people trained
- JV with a partner with 15 years of experience
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TP HRD transforms business through theatre and applied arts. Their team of experienced drama facilitators and arts-based therapists delivers engaging, experiential learning programs on leadership, communication, personal effectiveness, and inclusion. Utilizing interactive theatrical exercises and art-based therapy, TP HRD fosters behavioural shifts, resilience, and impactful personal and professional growth in corporate environments.
Conversations with professionals from across the planet
- 5 Seasons and 90 seminars
- 150+ Experts presented
- 3 reports published in academic journals
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Unrehearsed Futures is an ongoing series of public online conversations hosted by DSM, University of Cape Town, Limbik Theatre and Embodied Poetics. It regularly brings together drama educators and performance trainers from countries across the world who share best practices, case studies, and build networks of knowledge and cooperation. creating a freely available online knowledge base of interviews, discussions, and sharings.
Funding the creation of new theatrical work
- 12 new productions
- 30 Lakhs in support disbursed
- 50+ theatre-makers supported
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The Niloufer Sagar Alumni Production Grant supports recent DSM graduates in creating new-theatre productions. It provides financial backing and mentorship, designed to foster creative rigour. The grant has enabled the creation of multiple productions and new works, providing a platform to hear new stories, new voices, and new ideas for the stage.
Preparing UG/PG students with life-skills for the workforce
- 700+ students empowered
- 2 Colleges and growing
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This program integrates theatre into graduate education to develop essential career skills. The innovative curriculum enhances communication, emotional intelligence, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities. These skills prepare students for diverse professional fields, including healthcare, education, and technology, ensuring they excel in various career paths.
Bringing Pune’s Cultural Landscape to Life
- 2 Seasons, 8 plays, 16 performances annually
- 10,000+ Puneite engaged
- Workshops, Masterclasses, Artist Interactions, Podcasts
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Revolutionizing Pune’s cultural landscape by curating high-caliber theatrical productions and offering a range of immersive experiences. Each season will showcase the best of Indian theatre, workshops, masterclasses, & exclusive artist interactions. With a vision to make performing arts accessible and intellectually stimulating, WOPA aims to contribute to the transformation of Pune into a national cultural hub.
Future Initiatives
The Mumbai Theatre District
Lead a coalition of theatre companies, venues, government agencies, ticketing and event management agencies to revitalise six venues in the heart of Girgaum, Mumbai, with the aim of building a vibrant audience culture, and eventually expanding to other cities with fresh ideas for new media.
In Development
DSMx
Incubate and accelerate theatre productions with professional development, grants, and mentorship. Drive innovation in theatre and social media through a dynamic R&D program.
In Development
Active Citizenship through Theatre (ACtT)
Utilise community theatre methods to train frontline workers and empower communities. Foster collective action and use theatre for societal transformation.
In Development
Actors Collective
Create a cooperative network for professional development among trained theatre professionals. Build a collaborative model for growth and advancement in the actor’s industry.
In Development
Stories of Impact
Witness the different ways in which the DSFMs initiatives impact society
Board of Directors
Our Board is comprised of highly qualified leaders who actively bring a wealth of experience and trustworthiness to the workings of our foundation.
Jehan Manekshaw
Founder & Managing Director
Bhavna Thakur
Chief Operating Officer, TIFIN
Farnaaz Karbhari
Counsel at HSA, Associates, LLM, Cardiff Law School
Tushar Pandey
Actor , Director, Educator
Tasneem Fatehi
Co-Founder & Director, Theatre Professionals
In addition, the foundation has access to valuable knowledge from senior advisors such as Shirin Bharucha (Trustee, NCPA), Mini Bhatia (Founder, AYK Speech and Drama), Noushir Dadrawala (Centre for Advancement of Philanthropy), Ujwal Impact Advisors and others.
Our Supporters
We are fortunate to be supported by an esteemed group of visionaries who understand the transformative power of theatre in enriching society. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering belief in our mission, which drives us forward and fuels our impact.
- HT Parekh Foundation
- Cyrus Guzder
- Pirojsha Godrej
- Bengal Finance And Investment
- Shirin Bharucha
- Dolly Adi Sagar
- Mahita Suresh
- JSW Foundation
- Sangita Jindal
- Tata Advanced Material
- Kiran Kumar Gurpur
- Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures
- Dr. Pheroza Godrej
- Suyash Outsourcing
- Inlaks India Foundation
- Stock Traders
- U P L Limited
- Cowasji Dinshaw Adenwalla Trust
- Manuvendra (I Love Foundation)
- Neeru And Naresh Jain Foundation
- White Turtle Studios
- Zia Jaydev Mody
- Sanjul Bhakri
- Tata Sikorsky Aerospace
- Atul Tiwari
- Sameer V Shah
- Internet Capital Advisors
Their invaluable support makes the vision of the DSFM a reality, enabling us to work towards achieving transformational change through theatre in society. Together, we are shaping a future where theatre can play an essential role in creating social good in every aspect of society.
DSFM Company Info
CIN NO. U74999MH2016NPL283780
A Section 8 Company under the Companies Act 2013
Donation for this company are exempt u/s 80G of
the Income Tax Act 1961. No. CIT (E)/80G/3251/2022 -23
Connect With Us
Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh,
Dr Bhalerao Marg, Kele Wadi,
Charni Road East, Mumbai 400004
You can also write to us at
info@dsfm.in
Website designed & developed by Collective Madness Studios