Finding the Space Between the Classroom and the Stage

If you had told me a decade ago, when I was spending my nights living and breathing backstage operations at Theatre Village, that I would be using those exact same lessons to shape International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum design, I would have smiled. But today, looking at the bridge I’ve built between theatre and education, it all makes perfect sense.

For me, the stage and the classroom have never been mutually exclusive. They are two sides of the same coin: spaces for human discovery.

Theatre is More Than Performance

When people think of theatre, they often think of the final curtain call—the applause, the spotlights, the perfectly memorized lines. But after spending over ten major productions learning the ropes as a stage manager, light operator, and actor with companies like One World Theatre and Actor’s Studio, I learned that the real magic happens in the messy, collaborative middle.

Theatre is an exercise in ultimate empathy. It forces you to listen deeply, to understand character psychology, and to be completely, unapologetically present in the moment.

When I transitioned into becoming an IB Education Professional, I realized that our traditional education systems often ask students to do the exact opposite: sit quietly, memorize the script, and don’t fail. I wanted to change that.

Learning is Alive

In my work as a Theatre Educator, I lean heavily on an inquiry-driven pedagogy. I don’t view students as empty vessels to be filled with information. Instead, I see them exactly how a director sees a member of an ensemble cast—as a unique voice waiting to be explored, trusted, and empowered.

Like a great play, true learning is alive. It only grows when we are allowed to question, to observe, to experiment, and yes—even to fail. When a student learns to step into someone else’s shoes through drama, they aren’t just learning how to act. They are building the emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills required to navigate a complex world.

Bringing the World Back to Nepal

Holding a Master’s in English Literature and a foundation built by Nepal’s contemporary theatre pioneers, my gaze is always fixed on what comes next. While I am looking toward advanced international drama qualifications and a PGCE abroad to sharpen my global perspective, my heart and vision remain deeply rooted right here at home.

Nepal has a rich, untapped culture of storytelling. My ultimate goal is to fuse global arts education standards with our local narratives—using children’s literature, physical theatre, and creative education to spark imagination across schools in our country.

To everyone who has shared a stage, a technical booth, or a classroom with me: thank you for being part of this journey. The script is still being written, and I can’t wait to see what the next act brings.