Join ISTA for a thought-provoking and practical workshop exploring what makes a play a “classic”—and why we continue to stage them today.

This event is offered in 2 regions. Please see "Schedule" section below for specific timings and time zones.

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Designed for theatre educators and practitioners, this 90-minute session invites participants to examine how classic plays can resonate with contemporary audiences and reflect personal, social, and cultural contexts.

Led by acclaimed director Atri Banerjee, the workshop blends discussion with hands-on exploration, drawing from Atri’s own creative practice to show how timeless texts can be reimagined in bold, relevant, and meaningful ways. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their own experiences as a lens for approaching classical material and begin developing their own production concepts.

The session offers powerful springboards for creative thinking and interpretation, equipping educators with practical strategies to help students express their unique perspectives through staging and design. Ideal for anyone looking to breathe new life into classic works while maintaining a strong connection to audience, purpose, and the world today.

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Learning objectives

In this workshop participants will:

• Define and critically reflect on the concept of a ‘classic’ play, considering its cultural, historical, and thematic relevance in contemporary theatre.
• Identify ways in which classic plays can still speak to modern audiences, drawing on personal, social, and cultural contexts to find fresh resonance.
• Explore interpretive strategies for reimagining classic works in ways that reflect both current issues and individual or community perspectives.
• Gain insight into real-world approaches to staging classic texts, through examples and reflections shared by Atri.
• Develop initial ideas or provocations for staging a classic play, with a focus on communicating meaning and personal interpretation to an audience.

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Schedule:

Region 1: Asia & Europe

• London, UK (GMT) - Saturday 14 March 2026 at 8:00-9:30 AM‍
• Amsterdam, Netherlands (CET) - Saturday 14 March 2026 at 9:00-10:30 AM ‍
• Singapore (SGT) - Saturday 14 March 2026 at 4:00-5:30 PM

Region 2: Americas & Europe

• Los Angeles, USA - Saturday 14 March 2026 at 7:00 AM PDT
• Chicago, USA - Saturday 14 March 2026 at 9:00 AM CDT
• New York, USA - Saturday 14 March 2026 at 10:00 AM EDT
• London, UK - Saturday Saturday 14 March 2026 at 3:00 PM BST\
• Amsterdam, Netherlands - Saturday 14 March 2026 at 4:00 PM CEST

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(Booking will close 24 hours before the event)

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