MISFiT to host Begin to Believe, an acting workshop, in Bengaluru

Begin to Believe, an acting workshop by Bengaluru-based MISFiT, is set to commence shortly

Have you ever wanted to act but felt like you did not have what it takes? Begin to Believe, an acting workshop by Bengaluru-based Vishal Nayer, is all about banishing those notions.

A six-weekend course, Begin to Believe will make acting accessible for everyone — from beginners to those looking to reconnect with the love of performing.

For Vishal Nayer, acting was something he found while working in the software industry. In 2007, he was searching for an acting course that could fit into his work schedule when he discovered MISF!T (My Interest Stays Firmly in Theatre), an acting studio founded by Ratan Thakore Grant in Bengaluru.

“Ratan founded this acting studio in 2001, in the belief that anyone could act,” says Vishal. “His aim was to keep it language-free. MISF!T wasn’t about learning lines and delivering them well, but about making acting inclusive. There were no fixed languages and people from all walks of life came together to learn, grow, and perform.

Unlike conventional BFA or MFA programs which take two to three years, Ratan structured the courses in a way that made learning effortless yet profound. “Ratan used to teach in an easy way, with course content spread over two hours for two to three months. It was later revamped into a more structured weekend course,” says Vishal, who attended multiple Level 1 and Level 2 courses at MISF!T.

Soon, his interest grew from a hobby to a passion, and he was assisting Ratan in directing, mentoring students, and conducting workshops in schools and communities.

“Ratan always encouraged me to teach. That made me take up this responsibility and continue his legacy after he passed away in 2021. I also felt that I should give something back to society, and that’s what made all of us renew MISF!T, which almost shut shop during the pandemic.”