When the world is constantly shifting its focus between innovation and tradition, the need for meaningful and enriching training is more urgent than ever. Training that transcends the boundaries of mechanical instruction and breathes life into the learner’s spirit—that is what defines true enrichment. And in the realm of performing arts, a few have embodied this philosophy as compellingly as Sumeet Sharma, a theatre practitioner whose life’s work has revolved around education, training, personality development, cultural rootedness and instilling a great reverence for Indian Ethos amongst children and youth through theatre.
With over three decades of committed practice in theatre-acting, training, and direction-Sumeet Sharma’s contributions have not only enriched the artistic landscape of the region but also shaped the lives of thousands of students, artists, and enthusiasts. His career exemplifies how training in theatre, when thoughtfully planned and meaningfully executed, can become a powerful tool for personal growth, social understanding, and cultural awareness. Sumeet attributes his understanding of theatre and how to utilize it for the larger benefit of the society to his theatre mentor Padmashri Balwant Thakur. In addition to this, having got trained under the benign guidance of theatre icons during several short/long workshops, he has tried to imbibe the learning into part of this personality, just to name a few Prof. G. Kumara Verma, Padmashri Neelam ManSingh Chowdhary, Prof. Mahendra Kumar, Dr. Shaveta, his teachers during Masters in Theatre. Sh. Rudra Prasad Sengupta, Padmashri Niranjan Goswami, Ms. Anuradha Kapur Ms. Kirti Jain, Mr. Adil Hussain, Dr. Abhilash Pillai, Mr. Harish Khanna, Mr. Roysten Able and many more visionaries of theatre who have shaped the National Theatre with their incredible work.
Sumeet Sharma is a postgraduate in Indian Theatre with distinction from the prestigious Department of Indian Theatre, Panjab University, Chandigarh. He is also UGC NET qualified in Performing Arts (Theatre), further validating his academic and professional authority in the field. But beyond his qualification, lies a journey of constant engagement, innovation, and dedication towards the deeper purpose of theatre.
In 2008, Sumeet Sharma was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, a national recognition conferred upon young and promising talents in the field of performing arts. This award, a milestone in any artist’s life, was not just a badge of honour for Sumeet but a reinforcement of his belief in the transformative power of theatre. He is also a recipient of a National Scholarship under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.
His journey in theatre began as early as 1993 with Natrang Jammu, and over the years, he has worn many hats-actor, director, trainer, and educator. What sets his work apart is not just the volume of it but the intent, quality and efficacy with which it has been pursued. His theatre is not confined to the proscenium stage or elitist enclaves. Instead, it reaches classrooms, community halls, rural grounds, and auditoriums across the country, where he works with children, young adults, and aspiring artists.
Sumeet Sharma’s core focus has been the use of theatre as an effective tool of education and personality development. In a system often preoccupied with rote learning and examinations, he offers an alternative model where self-expression, empathy, confidence, and communication are given centre stage. His workshops have empowered children and youth to find their voice, confront their fears, and build a sense of self-worth and discipline. His sessions go beyond script and performance,they help participants discover the richness of teamwork, listening, spontaneity, and responsibility.
The impact of his approach is best reflected in the words of those who have directly experienced its magic. Alpana Sharma, mother of two of his students, shares a moving testimony:
“Theatre became a magical catalyst in my children's lives. It wasn't just about scripts and stages; it was a journey of self-discovery. My shy one found his voice, blossoming with confidence. The energetic one channeled her liveliness into captivating performances, developing discipline and focus. Through shared laughter and collaborative storytelling, they learned empathy, teamwork, and the sheer joy of creative expression. Theatre didn't just teach them to act; it taught them to truly live.”
This sentiment echoes across many households, where Sumeet’s training has sparked not just artistic ability, but life skills that shape young minds for years to come.
Sumeet Sharma serves as Drama Instructor at the Department of Students Welfare, University of Jammu. Here too, his role is not limited to mere conventional training. He consistently works to kindle a deep reverence for Indian culture and ethos among students in addition to explore their inner selves and facing the surroundings with self-belief. In an age of growing detachment from roots, his efforts serve as a cultural bridge-connecting the youth with the wisdom, values, and vibrancy of Indian traditions through theatre. He has directed remarkable theatre productions with the students of Design Your Degree like Bhisham Sahni’s ‘Kabira’ and Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s ‘Rashmirathi’ which received accolades from all quarters. His hilarious yet thought provoking Skits with the University students have been adjudged Best in Zonal and National level Youth Festivals where Universities from all over India come forward with their best talent. He has been the coordinator of the first ever Certificate Course in Theatre initiated by SIIEDC University of Jammu which received encouraging feedback from the participants. He also coordinates the Training Outreach Programme of the Department of Students Welfare in which students from far-flung areas get an opportunity to get training in performing arts by the experts in the field.
His creative work also reflects his cultural commitment. Sumeet has acted in over 40 plays, many of which are Dogri-language productions staged under the banner of the renowned theatre group Natrang. These plays have travelled far and wide, with more than 1100 performances across India and abroad. They are not mere entertainment pieces but carriers of the linguistic and cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. Through these, he has helped preserve and promote the Dogri language, offering it the artistic respect and audience it deserves.
Participation in more than 40 national theatre festivals organised by leading institutions such as the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National School of Drama, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, among others, has further refined his artistic outlook. These platforms have not only provided national exposure but have also enabled him to engage in rich artistic exchanges, enhancing the depth and scope of his training modules.
Travel, too, has been a powerful teacher in Sumeet’s journey. His extensive tours across the country and abroad, as actor and assistant director, have enabled him to absorb diverse theatrical styles and pedagogical approaches. These experiences have deepened his understanding of theatre’s universal appeal and its adaptability across contexts. What he brings back from these journeys enriches the students and artists he mentors, offering them a broader perspective on art and life.
Over the years, he has directed around 50 plays involving children and adults alike. Each production under his direction is a carefully constructed educational experience. He is known to nurture even the most hesitant participants, creating a safe and inspiring space for exploration. Many of these plays have gone on to earn acclaim, not just for their aesthetic value but for their ability to raise important questions and set a fertile ground for healthy debate.
What stands out most in Sumeet’s methodology is his human-centric approach. Training, for him, is not about imposing knowledge but about enabling discovery. He encourages introspection, dialogue, and collaborative creativity. His sessions often blend games, voice and movement exercises, improvisations, script readings, and rehearsals in a seamless, organic flow that keeps participants deeply engaged. This holistic model of training builds not just performers but thinkers and doers. Other than games and activities, he relies more on the emotional connect with participants, which when occurs, transformation becomes possible, effortlessly.
At a time when educational and professional systems are re-evaluating their purpose and methods, Sumeet’s work offers a valuable template. He shows that training can be a joyful, liberating, and enlightening process. He proves that performing arts are not peripheral indulgences but central to shaping complete human beings. His theatre is as much about social responsibility as it is about artistic excellence. It is about invoking awareness, instilling sensitivity, and cultivating imagination.
His impact is not just felt in auditoriums or on certificates, but in the lives of individuals who discover their potential through his guidance. From shy schoolchildren to aspiring theatre artists and effective communicators many owe their personal breakthroughs to his compassionate training style.
Sumeet Sharma represents what meaningful and enriching training should look like. Rooted in knowledge, elevated by experience, and driven by a vision to uplift others, his journey in theatre is a testament to the timeless power of learning that touches the soul. As he continues to inspire new generations through his work, one can only hope that more educators, trainers, and institutions take a cue from his path and infuse their efforts with the same passion, depth, and humility.

Email:-------------------------------salariayaseen@gmail.com