KHPT conducted a five-day residential Training of Trainers (ToT) on Interactive Theatre (IIT), a participatory Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) approach, from 27 to 31 July 2026 at the MYRADA Training Centre, Hospet, Karnataka.

The training aimed to build the capacity of mentors, community facilitators and adolescent leaders to use Interactive Theatre as a community engagement tool for facilitating dialogue, encouraging critical reflection and promoting positive social and health behaviours.

A total of 45 participants from Chamarajanagar, Chikkamagaluru, Vijayanagar, Koppal and Raichur districts took part in the training. The participants included mentors, community facilitators, adolescent girls and community members, creating a diverse learning environment where experiences and perspectives from different communities enriched the discussions.

Over five days, participants were introduced to the principles of Interactive Theatre and its application as an SBCC approach. The sessions covered story development, facilitation techniques, character building, acting, improvisation and audience engagement, with a strong emphasis on participatory learning and practice. Through group activities and performance-based exercises, participants developed the skills required to facilitate community conversations on locally relevant issues.

As part of the practical component of the training, participants conceptualised and performed six original interactive plays based on issues identified from their own communities. The performances addressed themes including menstrual health, preconception care, child development milestones, attraction during adolescence, the importance of education and other social issues relevant to their local contexts. Each performance encouraged audience participation, dialogue and collective problem-solving, demonstrating the potential of Interactive Theatre to challenge harmful social norms and enable communities to identify solutions together.

The training concluded with participants equipped to facilitate Interactive Theatre sessions within their respective communities, enabling them to use creative, participatory approaches to strengthen community engagement and advance sustainable social and behaviour change.