Rishabh- Feedback on Level 1 Workshop (2025/1)
Email address: rishabhgupta.52pp@gmail.com
I got to know that a 6 weekend intensive acting workshop is happening in one of the improv WhatsApp groups that I was part of. I had always loved doing improv but I always felt like I was not able to figure out how to effectively do improv scene work even after doing multiple workshops in that. I felt like I needed to learn acting to improve my improv skills.
This workshop seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to do that, but I was apprehensive because of the 6 weekend intensive training. But I anyway went ahead and met Vishal for the interview.
In just a few minutes of my interaction with Vishal, I found myself wanting to meet him more. I couldn’t complete the interview because I had to leave for some emergency, but later in the day I went and met Vishal again. Vishal has a magical personality (which we learn about in the workshop as well – actor’s magic) that just pulls you in. I was not sure whether I would be able to give that much time to this or not, Vishal took out some time to talk to me and he told me – “Give yourself a chance”. These words kept reverberating in my mind and I finally decided to give myself a chance and I am so glad that I did.
This workshop has been a revelation to me.
Revelation about the depth of the craft of acting. What we see on screen or on stage is the outcome of a process which has so much depth to it that can be only understood by experiencing something like this workshop.
Revelation about improvisation. My goal from this workshop was to improve my improv skills, I finally understood what it takes to be a good improviser.
Revelation about myself and what I am capable of. I could never even imagine that I would be able to play such varied characters in some of the performances that we did in the workshop.
This workshop was not just about acting. It taught me much more than that. There were many lessons which were applicable to real life. Some of the key takeaways for me have been :
1) Self belief is so important in anything. Just like an actor has to believe in the character that they are playing for the audience to believe in them, if I believe in myself and my abilities, I will start behaving accordingly. This one was especially impactful the way Vishal explains it in the workshop. Has to be experienced!!
2) Using the power of voice. It’s a shame not everyone uses their voice effectively. So many things about our personality can be changed with just the voice. Again, has to be experienced the way Vishal teaches it!!
3) Journey of a character. Very powerful concept in the class on storytelling. Many people in the batch could resonate with it including me. In tough times, I now know that I am in act 2 and there is still the 3rd act remaining where I will live upto my full potential (iykyk). Just having this idea gives me strength to push through the challenges in life. This point I kind of even experienced in the last week of the workshop, cause it was quite challenging but equally rewarding.
Another very interesting thing which I learnt was about characterisation and observing people. All the characters are around us. We just need to know how to observe.
Coming to the main man – Vishal. He is a leader in a true sense. He leads by example. His vulnerability inspires everyone else to be vulnerable as well. His values are seen in his actions.
His knowledge, passion and dedication for the craft is quite evident in his teaching. There is never a dull moment in the class, he is always highly energetic and makes every moment highly engaging. The amount of effort he puts in every class, reiterating and recalibrating his teaching method if needed, just to make sure everyone understands what he teaches.
It just blows my mind how he remembers every single thing about everyone, right from the moment you give him a call to register for the interview. He makes everyone feel special. He makes everyone feel heard.
After every performance he gives detailed feedback to everyone right then and there. It is truly unbelievable. He keenly observes everyone and their journey through the workshop. Then again at the end of the workshop he gives detailed feedback to everyone. That just goes to show you he is genuinely invested in everyone’s growth. He has an innate ability to make people feel safe and understood from the very first conversation. There’s an instant sense of trust when talking to him, like I can share any problem without second-guessing. He is a truly beautiful human being and I am glad that I met him.
The values he has and the environment he has created is also reflected in the misfit community.
Once you complete the workshop you become a part of the community. It’s so rare to find such communities where people form such strong bonds. The trust everyone has on each other and the way everyone supports each other is just so rare. Once you have completed the workshop, you can repeat as many classes in upcoming batches as you want and I saw the mentors (seniors who have previously completed the workshop) come and attend the workshop devotedly and take part in some of the exercises. A huge shoutout to all the mentors for always being there to guide us in the right direction throughout the workshop. I would especially like to thank Nishanth and Eve for all the work they put in with us in the last week to make our grading such a success.
I met some of the best people in this workshop and I have made some of the best connections. I recently moved to Bangalore and didn’t know many people. But now I feel I have a home away from home.
Extremely honoured and grateful
Thank you so much Vishal
Love,
Rishabh