NCERT Textbook: From Page to Stage | Arts (Kriti) Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

 Page 1


3
From Page  
to Stage
THEATRE-MAKING
Now, we enter the exciting 
world of theatre-making! This 
is where ideas turn into action, 
and stories come alive with 
teamwork. In this chapter, you won’t just read about 
theatre — you will create it! From planning a scene 
to rehearsing lines and designing costumes to setting 
the stage, you will discover how every small role 
builds the big picture. As you are at the end of middle 
stage, this is when you will put together everything 
you have learnt so far. 
From costume design and make up, to puppetry 
and mime; and from writing your own script and 
dialogues, to acting with emotion and voice. 
Recall all your lessons, so you are ready to  
turn your imagination into a performance! Let the 
theatre-making begin! 
This chapter intends to take you through the entire 
journey — from an idea to a successful performance. 
To make it interesting, this process is written as a 
play script itself. This script is about the students of 
Grade 8 working towards putting up a performance  
on their own. It assimilates all the steps you have 
worked on so far to make a play. It also suggests ideas 
on how to integrate music and dance into the play.
This script can also be used as an example for your 
exercise in Play Reading, Chapter 1.
The end of this chapter gives you pointers and tips 
on how to practically apply this to the performance 
that you put up for your school. Remember, facilities 
or material resources are not a necessity. So, do not 
worry about what you have or don’t. Theatre can be 
performed anywhere with whatever you have. The 
most important thing that you must have is dedication 
and the enthusiasm that you will do it!
Let us get involved in making drama!
You will learn
 ? Process of 
presenting a 
drama 
performance
 ? Elements of a 
script
 ? The spirit of 
theatre!
ch-3_theater.indd   27 ch-3_theater.indd   27 27-06-2025   17:21:27 27-06-2025   17:21:27
Page 2


3
From Page  
to Stage
THEATRE-MAKING
Now, we enter the exciting 
world of theatre-making! This 
is where ideas turn into action, 
and stories come alive with 
teamwork. In this chapter, you won’t just read about 
theatre — you will create it! From planning a scene 
to rehearsing lines and designing costumes to setting 
the stage, you will discover how every small role 
builds the big picture. As you are at the end of middle 
stage, this is when you will put together everything 
you have learnt so far. 
From costume design and make up, to puppetry 
and mime; and from writing your own script and 
dialogues, to acting with emotion and voice. 
Recall all your lessons, so you are ready to  
turn your imagination into a performance! Let the 
theatre-making begin! 
This chapter intends to take you through the entire 
journey — from an idea to a successful performance. 
To make it interesting, this process is written as a 
play script itself. This script is about the students of 
Grade 8 working towards putting up a performance  
on their own. It assimilates all the steps you have 
worked on so far to make a play. It also suggests ideas 
on how to integrate music and dance into the play.
This script can also be used as an example for your 
exercise in Play Reading, Chapter 1.
The end of this chapter gives you pointers and tips 
on how to practically apply this to the performance 
that you put up for your school. Remember, facilities 
or material resources are not a necessity. So, do not 
worry about what you have or don’t. Theatre can be 
performed anywhere with whatever you have. The 
most important thing that you must have is dedication 
and the enthusiasm that you will do it!
Let us get involved in making drama!
You will learn
 ? Process of 
presenting a 
drama 
performance
 ? Elements of a 
script
 ? The spirit of 
theatre!
ch-3_theater.indd   27 ch-3_theater.indd   27 27-06-2025   17:21:27 27-06-2025   17:21:27
ALL THE DRAMA OF THEATRE!
The play begins in the Grade 8 classroom. The class 
has just received a circular from the school principal 
that the students have to plan and prepare for a 
performance. The date of the show is also announced. 
The countdown has begun and the students are excited, 
nervous and unsure of how they can do it. Ananya, the 
class representative starts by addressing the class.
Scene 1: Brainstorming
(A classroom with excited students busy discussing in 
groups. The board reads ‘Annual Theatre Project’.)
Ananya: Alright, as per the memo we have just 
received, our school show is in just six weeks. The 
play should be 30 to 40 minutes long. Let's give our 
best and make this the best experience!
Karan: Yes, we should be the best! So, ??rst, we need 
to ??nd a great story. Should we do comedy, mystery  
or fantasy? Oh ... but before that, who is doing the 
documentation? Photos, videos? We have to keep a 
record of this event — we are doing our own show!
Ananya: Oh, yes! Glad, you remembered ! I can do it. 
I love taking pictures!
Meera: Can we do a Panchatantra or a Hitopadesha 
story?
Ritu: (hesitating) What about a folktale? Or, an Indian 
story? We could add some classical or folk dance in it.
Meera: Yes! And we could mix it with puppetry or 
mime. It will be fun!
Anil: (excited) Oh! I will ??nd some great instrumental 
music like dholak and sarod.
Ananya: Perfect! So, an Indian story it is. Let's all 
suggest stories from our native regions and shortlist 
one.
Tara: How about the tale of Savitri and Satyavan?
Seema: Or, Tenali Rama? Something with humor  
and wit.
28  |  KRITI
ch-3_theater.indd   28 ch-3_theater.indd   28 19-06-2025   15:26:16 19-06-2025   15:26:16
Page 3


3
From Page  
to Stage
THEATRE-MAKING
Now, we enter the exciting 
world of theatre-making! This 
is where ideas turn into action, 
and stories come alive with 
teamwork. In this chapter, you won’t just read about 
theatre — you will create it! From planning a scene 
to rehearsing lines and designing costumes to setting 
the stage, you will discover how every small role 
builds the big picture. As you are at the end of middle 
stage, this is when you will put together everything 
you have learnt so far. 
From costume design and make up, to puppetry 
and mime; and from writing your own script and 
dialogues, to acting with emotion and voice. 
Recall all your lessons, so you are ready to  
turn your imagination into a performance! Let the 
theatre-making begin! 
This chapter intends to take you through the entire 
journey — from an idea to a successful performance. 
To make it interesting, this process is written as a 
play script itself. This script is about the students of 
Grade 8 working towards putting up a performance  
on their own. It assimilates all the steps you have 
worked on so far to make a play. It also suggests ideas 
on how to integrate music and dance into the play.
This script can also be used as an example for your 
exercise in Play Reading, Chapter 1.
The end of this chapter gives you pointers and tips 
on how to practically apply this to the performance 
that you put up for your school. Remember, facilities 
or material resources are not a necessity. So, do not 
worry about what you have or don’t. Theatre can be 
performed anywhere with whatever you have. The 
most important thing that you must have is dedication 
and the enthusiasm that you will do it!
Let us get involved in making drama!
You will learn
 ? Process of 
presenting a 
drama 
performance
 ? Elements of a 
script
 ? The spirit of 
theatre!
ch-3_theater.indd   27 ch-3_theater.indd   27 27-06-2025   17:21:27 27-06-2025   17:21:27
ALL THE DRAMA OF THEATRE!
The play begins in the Grade 8 classroom. The class 
has just received a circular from the school principal 
that the students have to plan and prepare for a 
performance. The date of the show is also announced. 
The countdown has begun and the students are excited, 
nervous and unsure of how they can do it. Ananya, the 
class representative starts by addressing the class.
Scene 1: Brainstorming
(A classroom with excited students busy discussing in 
groups. The board reads ‘Annual Theatre Project’.)
Ananya: Alright, as per the memo we have just 
received, our school show is in just six weeks. The 
play should be 30 to 40 minutes long. Let's give our 
best and make this the best experience!
Karan: Yes, we should be the best! So, ??rst, we need 
to ??nd a great story. Should we do comedy, mystery  
or fantasy? Oh ... but before that, who is doing the 
documentation? Photos, videos? We have to keep a 
record of this event — we are doing our own show!
Ananya: Oh, yes! Glad, you remembered ! I can do it. 
I love taking pictures!
Meera: Can we do a Panchatantra or a Hitopadesha 
story?
Ritu: (hesitating) What about a folktale? Or, an Indian 
story? We could add some classical or folk dance in it.
Meera: Yes! And we could mix it with puppetry or 
mime. It will be fun!
Anil: (excited) Oh! I will ??nd some great instrumental 
music like dholak and sarod.
Ananya: Perfect! So, an Indian story it is. Let's all 
suggest stories from our native regions and shortlist 
one.
Tara: How about the tale of Savitri and Satyavan?
Seema: Or, Tenali Rama? Something with humor  
and wit.
28  |  KRITI
ch-3_theater.indd   28 ch-3_theater.indd   28 19-06-2025   15:26:16 19-06-2025   15:26:16
Ananya: Hmm ... but wait. We’ve got three good ones. 
Savitri and Satyavan is emotional, Tenali Rama is 
witty, and ?Monkey and Crocodile' is fun and visual. 
How do we choose? Should we vote?
Ritu: Can we mix elements? Maybe Tenali's wit, but 
with animal characters like the monkey and crocodile!
Meera: That could be chaotic! 
Anil: I think we should focus on something simple 
but dramatic. But there are so many stories.
Ananya: Let’s take ??ve minutes, everyone think and 
vote.
Karan: (con??dently) I know a very interesting story of 
an old wise woman from the mountains of Himalayas. 
My father told me that story. Do you want to hear it? 
Everyone: Yes!
(They huddle, discuss and ??nally settle on the 
Himalayan folktale with elements of dance, puppetry, 
and folk music.)
Ananya: Done! I think this story has a great 
beginning — middle, end, and an interesting con??ict 
as well. Can we start writing the scenes and dialogues? 
Who can do it?
Karan: (strongly) I will write the script. But I will need 
help. Who can join me? 
(Three more students agree to join Karan in the script 
writing and forming a team.)
Ananya: So, Karan and his team will work on it 
together. Can you give us the ??nal script in three 
days? That way, we can start planning the rehearsals.
Ritu: Don’t forget to include dance, puppetry and folk 
music. I want to do the choreography.
Karan: Sure. We will give it in three days. But as we 
rehearse, I might want to add a few lines here and 
there to improve it.
Ananya: That is ??ne. We can always keep improving. 
Meera: (disappointed) But I also like dancing. I wanted 
to work on the songs as well. I have been going to 
29  | From Page to Stage
ch-3_theater.indd   29 ch-3_theater.indd   29 19-06-2025   15:26:17 19-06-2025   15:26:17
Page 4


3
From Page  
to Stage
THEATRE-MAKING
Now, we enter the exciting 
world of theatre-making! This 
is where ideas turn into action, 
and stories come alive with 
teamwork. In this chapter, you won’t just read about 
theatre — you will create it! From planning a scene 
to rehearsing lines and designing costumes to setting 
the stage, you will discover how every small role 
builds the big picture. As you are at the end of middle 
stage, this is when you will put together everything 
you have learnt so far. 
From costume design and make up, to puppetry 
and mime; and from writing your own script and 
dialogues, to acting with emotion and voice. 
Recall all your lessons, so you are ready to  
turn your imagination into a performance! Let the 
theatre-making begin! 
This chapter intends to take you through the entire 
journey — from an idea to a successful performance. 
To make it interesting, this process is written as a 
play script itself. This script is about the students of 
Grade 8 working towards putting up a performance  
on their own. It assimilates all the steps you have 
worked on so far to make a play. It also suggests ideas 
on how to integrate music and dance into the play.
This script can also be used as an example for your 
exercise in Play Reading, Chapter 1.
The end of this chapter gives you pointers and tips 
on how to practically apply this to the performance 
that you put up for your school. Remember, facilities 
or material resources are not a necessity. So, do not 
worry about what you have or don’t. Theatre can be 
performed anywhere with whatever you have. The 
most important thing that you must have is dedication 
and the enthusiasm that you will do it!
Let us get involved in making drama!
You will learn
 ? Process of 
presenting a 
drama 
performance
 ? Elements of a 
script
 ? The spirit of 
theatre!
ch-3_theater.indd   27 ch-3_theater.indd   27 27-06-2025   17:21:27 27-06-2025   17:21:27
ALL THE DRAMA OF THEATRE!
The play begins in the Grade 8 classroom. The class 
has just received a circular from the school principal 
that the students have to plan and prepare for a 
performance. The date of the show is also announced. 
The countdown has begun and the students are excited, 
nervous and unsure of how they can do it. Ananya, the 
class representative starts by addressing the class.
Scene 1: Brainstorming
(A classroom with excited students busy discussing in 
groups. The board reads ‘Annual Theatre Project’.)
Ananya: Alright, as per the memo we have just 
received, our school show is in just six weeks. The 
play should be 30 to 40 minutes long. Let's give our 
best and make this the best experience!
Karan: Yes, we should be the best! So, ??rst, we need 
to ??nd a great story. Should we do comedy, mystery  
or fantasy? Oh ... but before that, who is doing the 
documentation? Photos, videos? We have to keep a 
record of this event — we are doing our own show!
Ananya: Oh, yes! Glad, you remembered ! I can do it. 
I love taking pictures!
Meera: Can we do a Panchatantra or a Hitopadesha 
story?
Ritu: (hesitating) What about a folktale? Or, an Indian 
story? We could add some classical or folk dance in it.
Meera: Yes! And we could mix it with puppetry or 
mime. It will be fun!
Anil: (excited) Oh! I will ??nd some great instrumental 
music like dholak and sarod.
Ananya: Perfect! So, an Indian story it is. Let's all 
suggest stories from our native regions and shortlist 
one.
Tara: How about the tale of Savitri and Satyavan?
Seema: Or, Tenali Rama? Something with humor  
and wit.
28  |  KRITI
ch-3_theater.indd   28 ch-3_theater.indd   28 19-06-2025   15:26:16 19-06-2025   15:26:16
Ananya: Hmm ... but wait. We’ve got three good ones. 
Savitri and Satyavan is emotional, Tenali Rama is 
witty, and ?Monkey and Crocodile' is fun and visual. 
How do we choose? Should we vote?
Ritu: Can we mix elements? Maybe Tenali's wit, but 
with animal characters like the monkey and crocodile!
Meera: That could be chaotic! 
Anil: I think we should focus on something simple 
but dramatic. But there are so many stories.
Ananya: Let’s take ??ve minutes, everyone think and 
vote.
Karan: (con??dently) I know a very interesting story of 
an old wise woman from the mountains of Himalayas. 
My father told me that story. Do you want to hear it? 
Everyone: Yes!
(They huddle, discuss and ??nally settle on the 
Himalayan folktale with elements of dance, puppetry, 
and folk music.)
Ananya: Done! I think this story has a great 
beginning — middle, end, and an interesting con??ict 
as well. Can we start writing the scenes and dialogues? 
Who can do it?
Karan: (strongly) I will write the script. But I will need 
help. Who can join me? 
(Three more students agree to join Karan in the script 
writing and forming a team.)
Ananya: So, Karan and his team will work on it 
together. Can you give us the ??nal script in three 
days? That way, we can start planning the rehearsals.
Ritu: Don’t forget to include dance, puppetry and folk 
music. I want to do the choreography.
Karan: Sure. We will give it in three days. But as we 
rehearse, I might want to add a few lines here and 
there to improve it.
Ananya: That is ??ne. We can always keep improving. 
Meera: (disappointed) But I also like dancing. I wanted 
to work on the songs as well. I have been going to 
29  | From Page to Stage
ch-3_theater.indd   29 ch-3_theater.indd   29 19-06-2025   15:26:17 19-06-2025   15:26:17
dance classes since, I was ??ve years old. Now, I can’t 
do it since Ritu is doing it.
Ananya: Hey! No … that’s not how it is! You can 
de??nitely work together. This is all going to be a team 
work. You and Ritu can work together on selecting 
the songs and planning the steps. 
(Ritu and Meera happily give 
high-??ve, and sit together to 
discuss.)
Ananya: Since we have already 
made two teams, I think we can 
also assign the other teams, so 
we are all ready by the time the 
script is complete.
(Ananya writes the names of all teams on the board 
and asks everyone to volunteer . After some discussion, 
they have the following.)
1. Script — Karan, Nitin, Shama and Rekha
2. Set and props — Nikhil
3. Make up and costume — Ishaan, Tara  
and Seema
4. Puppetry — Anita 
5. Music — Anil
6. Dance — Ritu, Meera
7. Documentation — Ananya
Ananya: (anxious) What about the others? We need 
more people for puppetry, music, set and props! 
Please volunteer. Aditya, Neetu, Priya, Sriram … 
choose your team!
Aditya and Sriram: (sounding disinterested) We want 
to select roles and act on stage. Can’t do this work.
(Nobody wants to do these things. The rest of the class 
also say they want to act on stage. Despite repeated 
30  |  KRITI
ch-3_theater.indd   30 ch-3_theater.indd   30 19-06-2025   15:26:19 19-06-2025   15:26:19
Page 5


3
From Page  
to Stage
THEATRE-MAKING
Now, we enter the exciting 
world of theatre-making! This 
is where ideas turn into action, 
and stories come alive with 
teamwork. In this chapter, you won’t just read about 
theatre — you will create it! From planning a scene 
to rehearsing lines and designing costumes to setting 
the stage, you will discover how every small role 
builds the big picture. As you are at the end of middle 
stage, this is when you will put together everything 
you have learnt so far. 
From costume design and make up, to puppetry 
and mime; and from writing your own script and 
dialogues, to acting with emotion and voice. 
Recall all your lessons, so you are ready to  
turn your imagination into a performance! Let the 
theatre-making begin! 
This chapter intends to take you through the entire 
journey — from an idea to a successful performance. 
To make it interesting, this process is written as a 
play script itself. This script is about the students of 
Grade 8 working towards putting up a performance  
on their own. It assimilates all the steps you have 
worked on so far to make a play. It also suggests ideas 
on how to integrate music and dance into the play.
This script can also be used as an example for your 
exercise in Play Reading, Chapter 1.
The end of this chapter gives you pointers and tips 
on how to practically apply this to the performance 
that you put up for your school. Remember, facilities 
or material resources are not a necessity. So, do not 
worry about what you have or don’t. Theatre can be 
performed anywhere with whatever you have. The 
most important thing that you must have is dedication 
and the enthusiasm that you will do it!
Let us get involved in making drama!
You will learn
 ? Process of 
presenting a 
drama 
performance
 ? Elements of a 
script
 ? The spirit of 
theatre!
ch-3_theater.indd   27 ch-3_theater.indd   27 27-06-2025   17:21:27 27-06-2025   17:21:27
ALL THE DRAMA OF THEATRE!
The play begins in the Grade 8 classroom. The class 
has just received a circular from the school principal 
that the students have to plan and prepare for a 
performance. The date of the show is also announced. 
The countdown has begun and the students are excited, 
nervous and unsure of how they can do it. Ananya, the 
class representative starts by addressing the class.
Scene 1: Brainstorming
(A classroom with excited students busy discussing in 
groups. The board reads ‘Annual Theatre Project’.)
Ananya: Alright, as per the memo we have just 
received, our school show is in just six weeks. The 
play should be 30 to 40 minutes long. Let's give our 
best and make this the best experience!
Karan: Yes, we should be the best! So, ??rst, we need 
to ??nd a great story. Should we do comedy, mystery  
or fantasy? Oh ... but before that, who is doing the 
documentation? Photos, videos? We have to keep a 
record of this event — we are doing our own show!
Ananya: Oh, yes! Glad, you remembered ! I can do it. 
I love taking pictures!
Meera: Can we do a Panchatantra or a Hitopadesha 
story?
Ritu: (hesitating) What about a folktale? Or, an Indian 
story? We could add some classical or folk dance in it.
Meera: Yes! And we could mix it with puppetry or 
mime. It will be fun!
Anil: (excited) Oh! I will ??nd some great instrumental 
music like dholak and sarod.
Ananya: Perfect! So, an Indian story it is. Let's all 
suggest stories from our native regions and shortlist 
one.
Tara: How about the tale of Savitri and Satyavan?
Seema: Or, Tenali Rama? Something with humor  
and wit.
28  |  KRITI
ch-3_theater.indd   28 ch-3_theater.indd   28 19-06-2025   15:26:16 19-06-2025   15:26:16
Ananya: Hmm ... but wait. We’ve got three good ones. 
Savitri and Satyavan is emotional, Tenali Rama is 
witty, and ?Monkey and Crocodile' is fun and visual. 
How do we choose? Should we vote?
Ritu: Can we mix elements? Maybe Tenali's wit, but 
with animal characters like the monkey and crocodile!
Meera: That could be chaotic! 
Anil: I think we should focus on something simple 
but dramatic. But there are so many stories.
Ananya: Let’s take ??ve minutes, everyone think and 
vote.
Karan: (con??dently) I know a very interesting story of 
an old wise woman from the mountains of Himalayas. 
My father told me that story. Do you want to hear it? 
Everyone: Yes!
(They huddle, discuss and ??nally settle on the 
Himalayan folktale with elements of dance, puppetry, 
and folk music.)
Ananya: Done! I think this story has a great 
beginning — middle, end, and an interesting con??ict 
as well. Can we start writing the scenes and dialogues? 
Who can do it?
Karan: (strongly) I will write the script. But I will need 
help. Who can join me? 
(Three more students agree to join Karan in the script 
writing and forming a team.)
Ananya: So, Karan and his team will work on it 
together. Can you give us the ??nal script in three 
days? That way, we can start planning the rehearsals.
Ritu: Don’t forget to include dance, puppetry and folk 
music. I want to do the choreography.
Karan: Sure. We will give it in three days. But as we 
rehearse, I might want to add a few lines here and 
there to improve it.
Ananya: That is ??ne. We can always keep improving. 
Meera: (disappointed) But I also like dancing. I wanted 
to work on the songs as well. I have been going to 
29  | From Page to Stage
ch-3_theater.indd   29 ch-3_theater.indd   29 19-06-2025   15:26:17 19-06-2025   15:26:17
dance classes since, I was ??ve years old. Now, I can’t 
do it since Ritu is doing it.
Ananya: Hey! No … that’s not how it is! You can 
de??nitely work together. This is all going to be a team 
work. You and Ritu can work together on selecting 
the songs and planning the steps. 
(Ritu and Meera happily give 
high-??ve, and sit together to 
discuss.)
Ananya: Since we have already 
made two teams, I think we can 
also assign the other teams, so 
we are all ready by the time the 
script is complete.
(Ananya writes the names of all teams on the board 
and asks everyone to volunteer . After some discussion, 
they have the following.)
1. Script — Karan, Nitin, Shama and Rekha
2. Set and props — Nikhil
3. Make up and costume — Ishaan, Tara  
and Seema
4. Puppetry — Anita 
5. Music — Anil
6. Dance — Ritu, Meera
7. Documentation — Ananya
Ananya: (anxious) What about the others? We need 
more people for puppetry, music, set and props! 
Please volunteer. Aditya, Neetu, Priya, Sriram … 
choose your team!
Aditya and Sriram: (sounding disinterested) We want 
to select roles and act on stage. Can’t do this work.
(Nobody wants to do these things. The rest of the class 
also say they want to act on stage. Despite repeated 
30  |  KRITI
ch-3_theater.indd   30 ch-3_theater.indd   30 19-06-2025   15:26:19 19-06-2025   15:26:19
requests, nobody volunteers to work. 
Ananya, feeling helpless, requests the 
teacher to help.)
Teacher: Great start, everyone. 
I really like your story! But 
remember, backstage work is 
most important! You learnt in 
Grade 7 that all these departments 
are a foundation for a good 
performance. Everyone in class 
has to be a part of at least one 
of the groups written on the 
board. You can also act, after 
the script is given. You all have 
to put e??ort as a united team. 
(looking sternly) Come on … ! 
start picking your team.
(Understanding this, the remaining students select 
various groups and start working.)
Scene 2: Work Begins
(3 days later?—?students are working in groups. Karan 
and his team are writing; Ritu and Anita are drawing 
and cutting out  puppets; Anil and Meera are working on 
musical notes with beats, and steps. They occasionally 
run to the teacher for help and suggestions, and come 
back to work on them.) 
Karan: (loudly announcing) We have almost completed 
the script. Can we read it for you? (everyone nods and 
looks towards them.)
Scene 1, an old house on the Himalayan slopes. A 
granny is sitting, reading a book. Her grandson 
comes to her and says, “Naani, I'm hungry”. The 
grandmother goes to the kitchen, gives him a snack 
and later, they start playing a game together.
31  | From Page to Stage
ch-3_theater.indd   31 ch-3_theater.indd   31 19-06-2025   15:26:21 19-06-2025   15:26:21