Banideepti Theatre on Friday launched a long-term partnership with Aranyak Natya Dal and Aranyak Theatre School, marking a significant initiative to strengthen professional Christian theatre practice in Bangladesh through training, collaboration and artistic development.
The collaboration began with Acting Workshop 2026, a day-long intensive training programme held at the Conference Hall of Archbishop House in Kakrail, bringing together aspiring performers for professional instruction by leading theatre practitioners.
The workshop was organized by Banideepti Theatre with support from SIGNIS Bangladesh, Aranyak Natya Dal and Aranyak Theatre School.
Renowned theatre personality Mamunur Rashid attended the inaugural session as chief guest and lead training facilitator.
Addressing the participants, Rashid said theatre is a lifelong learning process that requires actors to continually challenge themselves and refine their craft.
"There is no end to learning in theatre. Every actor must constantly challenge themselves, discover new perspectives and rebuild their craft," he said, welcoming Banideepti's initiative to invest in professional theatre training.
He also said that while art transcends religion, every faith has its own artistic expression, adding that Christian theatre can establish a distinctive place in Bangladesh's mainstream theatre landscape by upholding artistic excellence, humanity and integrity.
Special guest Monsignor Gabriel Corraya described theatre as a powerful medium for communicating faith and human values.
He said art speaks to the human heart and that Banideepti's initiative represents not only a cultural effort but also a meaningful expression of social and spiritual responsibility.
The workshop was chaired by Fr. Bulbul Augustine Ribeiro, who said the programme reflects Banideepti's vision as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
He said the organization aims to equip a new generation of performers with a strong theatrical foundation and described the partnership with Aranyak Natya Dal and Aranyak Theatre School as an important step toward larger collaborative initiatives and quality stage productions.
Workshop Coordinator Bindu Rozario said the programme was designed to provide practical, hands-on training under experienced theatre professionals and is part of a broader plan to establish Banideepti Theatre as a sustainable platform for professional theatre practice through continuous training, workshops and future joint productions.
Participants received intensive training in acting techniques, character development, body movement, voice projection, ensemble performance, scene creation and practical stage exercises.
The training sessions were conducted by Parimal Majumdar, Rubly Chowdhury, Hashim Masud and Apu Mehedi.
Banideepti, the cultural and audiovisual wing of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications (EC-SC) of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB), is celebrating its golden jubilee this year.
The organization formally launched Banideepti Theatre, Bangladesh's first full-fledged Christian stage theatre company, in December 2025 with the premiere of Rong Tulir Jibon ("The Life of Colours and Brushes").
Organizers said the partnership with Aranyak marks the beginning of a long-term effort to promote professional theatre education, joint productions and the development of a new generation of performers, adding a new dimension to Bangladesh's theatre sector.