ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Thespo is India’s largest youth theatre movement, open to anyone under 25 with a passion for theatre. Since 1999, Thespo has grown from a single evening of theatre into a week-long festival held every December at Prithvi Theatre, Mumbai. Over the years, it has welcomed entries from across the country, spanning every language, genre and theme imaginable. From full-length plays and platform performances to play readings, workshops and a whole lot of fun Thespo embraces it all. The festival is entirely run by young volunteers under 25, giving them the opportunity to gain real-world experience across backstage, production, technical, hospitality and other areas of festival-making.
And this year, Thespo 28 is happening from 7–13 December 2026.
What truly sets Thespo apart is its people, a community you'll connect with, learn from, and stay in touch with long after the final curtain falls. Stay tuned to see what Thespo 28 has in store.
Get Ready to Do It for the Drama!
THESPO IS ON THE ROAD!
We’re travelling across India to watch the registered plays by young theatre-makers and witness the magic they create.
Our journey takes us to:
Mumbai · Ahmedabad · Jaipur · Delhi · Nagpur · Guwahati · Kolkata · Bengaluru · Pune
SCREENING PANEL
Raghav Dutt
A multi-faceted theatre maker, screen writer, and lyricist active in Mumbai theatre for over a decade, Raghav Dutt brings a rich, interdisciplinary perspective as both a creator and performer. As a playwright and director, he has helmed full-length productions such as the poetic social satire Baawla (featuring Vicky Kaushal) , Parey and IshqAha! for Jhoom Theatre. His short plays span notable works like Aao Chalein (Rage Theatre), Chamgaadar Ka Inteqaam (in which he also acted), and Dattu Ki Premkatha (AKvarious Productions). As an actor, Dutt has collaborated with pioneering directors including Sunil Shanbag (Deewar), Manav Kaul (Laal Pencil), Sukant Goel, Trishla Patel, Imran Rasheed, and Sumeet Vyas. Beyond the stage, his screenwriting credentials include the award-winning Netflix feature Bhasmasur (which he also acted in), dialogue writing for Ribbon, Farzi, Dil Dosti Dilemma, and The Royals (S2), alongside non-fiction television (Sharnam) and film acting in Nandita Das's Manto. His versatile pen also extends to translation of Siachen a play and song lyricism for major banner films, television, and acclaimed stage productions like Queen and Pyaar Aadmi Ko Kabutar Bana Deta Hai—earning him a nomination for Radio Mirchi's Upcoming Lyricist of the Year.
Devika Shahani
Devika Shahani is a veteran actor, voice coach, and creative producer with over three decades of footprint in Indian theatre, film, and television. After her training at Rishi Valley School, she was discovered early by Dolly Thakore in Anouilh’s Antigone. Her extensive stage acting portfolio spans iconic and long-running productions such as Class of '84, Twelve Angry Jurors, Wildtrack, SOS, Betrayal, The Legend of Ram, Juliet, Pink Sari Revolution, and Strictly Unconventional. Over her career she has worked under phenomenal directors like Pearl Padamsee, Rahul DaCunha, Amir Raza Husain, Rehaan Engineer, and Quasar Thakore Padamsee. A multi-talented performer, she co-created, trained for, and starred in the Latin Ballroom musical Trip the Light Fantastic in 2000. On screen, Shahani has featured in classic television shows (Kumkum, Swayam Ek Ehsaas, Star Best Sellers), films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Gulmohar, and the internationally awarded Girls Will Be Girls, as well as Made in Heaven (S2). As a producer and founder of The Dragon Rose Project, she designs high-impact commemorative events and produces major theatrical productions, including Aadyam shows like A Few Good Men and As Bees In Honey Drown. She has also produced the original musical Mumbai Star, commissioned by Japan's Min-On Concert Association for a 20-city Japanese tour.