Theater Volunteer Program in India
Theater Volunteer India
- Project Fact File
- About The Program
- Arrangement of Room, Food & Transportation
- General Program Itinerary
- Testimonials
- How To Join
Project Duration: Minimum 2 weeks stay up to 6 weeks. Coming for shorter period Join our 3 Days Volunteer Children + Jaipur Tour Program.
Project Fees: $550 for 2 Weeks and thereafter $250 weekly. No Application fees required. For more information about our fees please visit Volunteer Program Fees Page.
Project Availabilities: All year round – Dates are flexible you can choose your own start and finish date. However we recommend you to arrive on Sunday. To check the availablity of the program dates click here : Start Dates
Special Festival Dates: : Camel Festival Bikaner 13-15 Jan 2024, Kite Festival Jaipur 14 Jan 2024, Holi Festival of Colors 24-25 Mar 2024, Teej Festival 07-Aug 2024, Sister’s Festival 19 Aug 2023, Dusshera Festival 12 Oct 2024, Diwali Festival of Lights 31 Oct 2024, Pushkar Camel Fair 09 Nov-15 Nov 2024.
Requirements: We don’t need any qualification for this project. Volunteers must have lots of love & enthusiasm for the project.
Location: Jaipur, India.
Project Activities: Organize the program, making & design the set, teach children in acting/drama & dance, help teachers in the performance of children & Work on other things which needs to organize the program.
Working Days: Monday-Friday. On Weekend we arrange sightseeing tours for volunteers to visit famous tourist spots in Jaipur.
What is included: Arranging your Programme, Pre-departure information and support by email/phone, Arrival pickup from Jaipur, Program relevant materials, Accommodation with Indian Host Family, 3 Meals ( Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ), Transportation facility for project site, Weekend Sightseeing’s Tours and 24 hours of admin support.
What is not included: Visa, Flights, Internet, Telephone Calls, Monuments/Sightseeing Entry Fees, Insurance Cover, and Airport Drop off.
Flexible Accomodation: If requested you can book your own Hotel Accommodation before coming here if not comfortable with Indian Host Family. We will help you in booking it.
Do you like helping amateur children & young people in acting, drama and
play movie roles in theater? Then you are in right place. VWI offers you to take part in the Theater Volunteering in Pink city. The aim of this project is for our volunteers to offer support in the theater program. This program was created to offer guidance and organize theater plays, with the help of volunteers, in schools and in other places where VWI is running its projects. The program is being held every month and the volunteers have the opportunity to organize their own theater project with children during their stay here. Volunteers can work in local school from Jaipur, can work to develop a theater program with children living in rural areas and children in orphanages.
You will be giving training to help children for their local performance such as teaching theater, to improve focus, making the set, design them, music selection, making the masks and organize the program when it will be held in a theater. We don’t need an expert actor, director or an artist we just want for our volunteer to offer love to children, to make them good theater actors and to help the ones that are talented but they are shy or just not able to bring it out. There is a lack of theater education in the city. We expect the volunteers to offer good help and to be good teachers. Volunteers can also work in the children in rural areas, so they can arrange to put in play a drama with them. This helps build confidence for them and makes them be more united and see the future with more hope and joy. Also, volunteers can put in play dramas with the kids from the orphanages that the organization works with. The children in orphanages are always eager to learn new things and this shows them the fun part of life, at the end of the day children fall asleep with a smile on their faces because their talents get to be discovered and enhanced while having fun. Volunteers can choose where to develop the theater program; whether it’s in a local school, an orphanage or in the women empowerment program, it will be very rewarding to see a project complete.
Skills Required for ProgramThere is no specific skill requirement to join the volunteering program. The volunteers who have love and passion for the children who need their help to make performance on stage & like to learn about the culture/life in the country can join the program.
What you will gain from this project >A memorable working hours by spending time with children as a Theater Artist. >An enormous satisfaction from inside as you worked who have your needs. >An unforgettable memory by spending time in India. >Opportunity to learn Indian culture, language and their traditions. >An entry in your CV as you have worked in under-developed country that will boost your profile in job market. >Life time member with VWI after completion of your project.LANGUAGE BARRIER
Language is not a problem for the international participants joining the program. The host family, our staffs, taxi drivers and kids/women in the program can understand basics.
However if you are un-comfortable with the language barrier you can join a week Hindi Lesson Class which run 90 minutes Monday to Friday costs $150 for a week. During submission of OnlinE application you can request in the form.
Volunteer Teaching Video
VWI makes arrangements for room, food and transportation for the volunteers, from the first day of the volunteer’s arrival in Jaipur, India. Volunteers will be living with the Indian Host Family. You will be having your own room at the host family house which can be shared by the same gender volunteer in the program. Participants coming with their friends, couples or family members live together at the same accommodation. Our host families are carefully screened and selected based on VWI requirements. Host families are experience in the realm of hosting international travelers from last 10 years. You will be getting 3 Meals per day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner), traditional but very nutritious. The meals serves at the accommodation are the everyday meals which are eaten by the Indian Families. This is how the program has made to make you feel and Live Like a Local. However if you are not able to adjust with the Indian meals or need more nutrition/protein/special diet in your meals you can arrange by your own from the near by local market. Staying with Host family will give you the opportunity to learn about Indian Life, meet the locals, try local food, speak local language and make yourself to immerse in local customs and traditions. The host family members are able to communicate in English and are very friendly with volunteers. The accommodations are neat and clean and provide volunteers a home away from home experience. Our volunteers have private rooms at the host family house which can be shared by the same gender in the program. If you prefer to have your own room you can pay additional to have a private room. The host family homes are equipped with wifi internet. You will have a very good access through computer & by Wi-Fi access. The house has filtered drinking water, geysers, air conditioning, satellite television, modern toilets, comfortable beds, fans and air conditioner. The homes are close to useful amenities like banks, ATMs, currency ex-changers, restaurants, cafes and shopping arcades. The program location is 20-30 minutes drive from the House. We also arrange transportation facility for volunteers which will everyday pick you to project site and drop to your home when you finish work. You will have everyday auto-rickshaw (tuk-tuk) or Car ride for Transportation.
Food Menu :-In Breakfast our Host Family will prepare you everyday Tea/Coffee + Bread or Poha or Indian Paratha. In Lunch & Dinner you will be having 2 Type of Indian Vegetable's + Roti ( Chapati's ) + Rice + Yogurt + Pickles. On food table there is always basket of fruits which you can use anytime.
Accommodation Option :-Please check our various accomodation options. Most of the participants prefer to choose Basic Accomodation Home which is shared by 2 participants.
- Basic Accommodation Home Stay [ Included in Price ] [ Shared by 2 Participants] [ Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ]
- Basic Accommodation Home Stay [ Private Room] [ Additional $100 weekly ] [ Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ]
- Luxury Accommodation Home Stay [Additional $350 per week ] [ Meals - Breakfast ]
- Hotel Accommodation [ Additional $450 per week ] [ Meals - Breakfast ]
- Own Accommodation [ Get Discount in Program Fees ]
Own Accomodation Option :-Some participants wants to have their own accommodation & not interested to live with Indian Host Family. You can book your own accommodation/hotel as well to join the program or we will also help you in doing it. We will arrange your transportation from their to project.
Shopping and supplies
There are many shops near the accommodation where volunteers can go and buy stuff for their requirements. The accommodation facility in the main city area of Jaipur so it’s easy to buy anything as shops are in walking distance. If a volunteer wants to go in Branded Shopping mall they need to take a Taxi ( Tuk- Tuk ). When our taxi driver is not taking them to the project site, he can be hired by volunteers to take them to the Branded Shopping mall, but they have to pay him.
Day 1: Today you will arrive in Jaipur. Our VWI staff member will pick you up from your arrival destination & welcome you. After picking you up, we will transfer you to the Host Family accommodation. We will introduce you to the host family members and we will guide you through the accommodation facilities and the things which are near. You will also be introduce about the project, your everyday working schedule, rules and regulation of volunteering, what to do & dont’s. which can be useful to you throughout your trip & guide you to the facilities which a traveler needs in new place.
Day 2 to working days: It’s time to bring joy on the faces of the children with some music and drama’s. You will be transfer to your project site. Our program coordinator will be there always with you to arrange things for you. Your work will covered there by Organize the program, making & design the set, teach children in acting/drama & dance, help teachers in the performance of children & Work on other things which needs to organize the program. Volunteers’ working days will be for 5 days per week Monday to Friday.
Weekends: The weekends are free for you to relax and enjoy Pinkcity. Every weekend we cover sightseeing of the Beautiful Historical places, Cultural places & programs with our VWI staff team. Volunteers have opportunity to meet with other volunteers also from other projects sites as everybody gets together on these days. However there are several other side trips that you can join which will greatly enhance your experience of Desert Place in Rajasthan, India.
The family, accommodation and food was amazing. Arrival pick up service and transportation service during project was great. Our project coordinator was very nice. I decide to volunteer with VWI to help and experience. I would like to give 10 out 10 for my overall experience and satisfaction. It’s a great experience. You need to use your own initiative so you can’t be shy. You are very much looked after.
The arrival pick up service was very good. The accommodation and food was basic but nice. Totoram the tum-tuk driver was wonderful andvery friendly. I enjoyed going around in the tuk-tuk. Project staff members were great and very helpful. Enjoyed their company and visiting their houses + meeting their families. I really enjoyed my time in Jaipur and playing games + teaching drama to children. It was hard work as the children were all rescued from factories or violet homes and had no experience with drama; found it very strange.... Read More
The arrival pick up service was very good. The accommodation and food was basic but nice. Totoram the tum-tuk driver was wonderful andvery friendly. I enjoyed going around in the tuk-tuk. Project staff members were great and very helpful. Enjoyed their company and visiting their houses + meeting their families. I really enjoyed my time in Jaipur and playing games + teaching drama to children. It was hard work as the children were all rescued from factories or violet homes and had no experience with drama; found it very strange. The children at the center were very eager to learn whenever i teach something for any act. During my time here i taught them act of blind children for how to sense. The program coordinator is a big help as the children do not understand English. Teaching music drama to these children will be memorable for me lifetime. Must do it.
My time in Jaipur, India was fantastic! On my very first day of arriving in Jaipur (from England) I had the Theatre Volunteering programme explained to me and details about when I would be picked up the next day to begin. Sure enough, I was picked up the following day by my designated tuk tuk driver, who was an absolute hero from day 1-so lovely and helpful, he would stop off anywhere on the way for food etc and he even introduced myself and some of the other volunteers to... Read More
My time in Jaipur, India was fantastic! On my very first day of arriving in Jaipur (from England) I had the Theatre Volunteering programme explained to me and details about when I would be picked up the next day to begin. Sure enough, I was picked up the following day by my designated tuk tuk driver, who was an absolute hero from day 1-so lovely and helpful, he would stop off anywhere on the way for food etc and he even introduced myself and some of the other volunteers to his family.
Upon arriving at the school where I would be volunteering I was a little surprised how poor the area was. The days in Jaipur were filled with acquiring various materials from the local markets to make costumes, accessories and props. I also brought paper for scripts and paint to make scenery. After I had made these, I felt more ready to teach the children as they were subsequently very excited when I turned up with bright colours and silly plastic props they could play around with. I had decided before traveling to India that alongside suitable interactive games I knew and had researched, I would teach them two scripts for them to learn, act out and perform. One was a script from a popular children’s story ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’ and one was the script of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ which I adapted for the children’s age group (2-15 yrs old.) Both stories were fun to act out, were very interactive with multiple parts and had lines that were easy to pronounce and learn. The great aspect of this programme is that you are free to arrange whatever theatre programme you like and can teach the children whatever it is you may specialise in or have an interest in. Additionally, the children were a delight to teach, so friendly and enthusiastic! Just make sure you come fully prepared!
At the end of my programme, the children were able to perform what they had learnt to an invited audience (this consisted of the project coordinators, the teaching assistants, other volunteers whom I lived with and myself.) I also filmed the performances, which overall made it a brilliant experience for the children who had all developed in confidence and awareness of English and British Art.
During the rest of my month in Jaipur I had the opportunity to experience Indian culture right in the heart of the Pink City. I experienced the way a traditional Indian family operates (from living with an authentic family who’s values, class system and importance of religion contrast starkly to the European way of life), to experiencing various Indian festivals and visiting Indian monuments, architecture and places of interest. These included the famous Amer fort, the monkey temple the Hawa Mahal, the City Palace, and the Jal Mahal (the floating Palace)-all very beautiful with interesting historical stories attached. Additionally to this, I was lucky enough to book myself on to the company’s Golden Triangle tour package which I completed after my time in Jaipur. This included travelling to the City of Agra where on the way we stopped off at Fatehpur Sikri and then the next day I got to see the incredible Taj Mahal, a sight I will always cherish and never forget. I then visited the Red Fort of Agra, a truly fascinating building. The next day, I traveled on to New Delhi where we visited the Indian Gate and the Buddhist Temple-again wonderful experiences.
I would thoroughly recommend the Theatre Volunteering programme in Jaipur as it is a life changing adventure and an experience which really opened my eyes to a way of life so different to my own.
I did not know what to expect and was a little nervous to begin with. But everyone made it very easy. The Children were an inspiration and it was a pleasure to attend and teach them all. I bonded very quickly and it was hard to say goodbye and my tears almost came when one Boy was upset that I was leaving. I would thank everyone to grab this opportunity with both hands. It is Amazing I would like to give 10 out of 10 marks to VWI. I have... Read More
I did not know what to expect and was a little nervous to begin with. But everyone made it very easy. The Children were an inspiration and it was a pleasure to attend and teach them all. I bonded very quickly and it was hard to say goodbye and my tears almost came when one Boy was upset that I was leaving. I would thank everyone to grab this opportunity with both hands. It is Amazing I would like to give 10 out of 10 marks to VWI. I have learned so much and had the best experience. I hope to come again soon. The project staff members were very helpful and Govind was a Big Help to assist me with theater teaching for children. Transportation services Brilliant! The Taxi was always on time and the driver very friendly with always smile on his face. The accommodation was very nice and the family was very friendly. The Food was very good and enjoyable. I definitely recommend Theater Project for future volunteers.
From the first day arriving in Jaipur I was made to feel very welcome by the staff of VWI and the Host Family. On the first day at the school I was initially nervous but the children were all so lovely and keen to learn. My 2 weeks were filled with puppet making as I had organized puppet show with the children on the last day of my volunteering. I organized 3 program for children. All these programs made me feel very proud and also sad that my time was... Read More
From the first day arriving in Jaipur I was made to feel very welcome by the staff of VWI and the Host Family. On the first day at the school I was initially nervous but the children were all so lovely and keen to learn. My 2 weeks were filled with puppet making as I had organized puppet show with the children on the last day of my volunteering. I organized 3 program for children. All these programs made me feel very proud and also sad that my time was at end. I loved my time in Jaipur, met some great people, had some amazing food, saw the incredible sights in & around the city and even managed to watching a Bollywood movie in at Raj Mandir.
The reason to choose VWI that I wanted to do something involving theatre which is how I find VWI site in internet. There were great reviews and as you were based in Jaipur I felt you were better involved with the projects over a Company based in the UK.
Project Staff Members were great from the first of my email query sent in VWI office. Excellent communication skills in team members. Project Coordinator was very helpful both in the school and for any other info I needed. Transport was great always on time and always more than to stop and pick up anything needed on the way. Accommodation was fabulous. Made me to feel very welcome and they were amazing in helping with everything. Food was also excellent and always more if wanted it.
I would defiantly recommend the project for anyone with a passion for theatre as it has been so rewarding sharing mine with the children here. 10 out of 10 for my overall experience and satisfaction.
Overall I have really enjoyed my time here and it has been an experience I will not forget. I would give 10 out 9 for my experience & satisfaction. I have decided to volunteer with VWI as I wanted to gain experience of Living in India whilst offering help to teach theatre to the children. The host family were very kind + welcoming, food was good. Transportation was quick, Govind was very helpful + willing to take part – he was a great help.
