THEATER / ACTING
PROJECT ABHINAY: THEATRE AND ADAPTIVE PERFORMING ARTS
BREAKING BARRIERS, AMPLIFYING VOICES, AND INSPIRING INCLUSION THROUGH THE STAGE
How We Started: The Story Behind the Initiative
Drawing from their personal journeys with disability, founders Meenu and Samuel Mani established YES! We Can Trust to tackle the real-world barriers of social invisibility and limited self-expression. Recognizing that traditional assistance rarely builds the self-esteem needed to interact fearlessly with the world, the Trust turned to the performing arts as an engine for real change. Project Abhinay was launched to create a supportive creative space where persons with disabilities can step out of their homes, explore their creative potential without fear of mistakes, and claim their presence in society.
What We Do: Training, Expression & Public Performance
Project Abhinay operates as a comprehensive creative platform that uses adaptive theatre to unlock leadership and self-belief. Participants take part in an intensive 30-day theatre workshop conducted in association with accomplished industry experts and prominent performance studios like the Barry John Acting Studio and the British Council. Through voice modulation, physical expression, improvisation, and collaborative scripting, trainees channel their lived realities and day-to-day social barriers into original theatrical productions. Rather than remaining in conventional rehearsal halls, the initiative stages these live performances across prominent, high-footfall public venues such as Central Park in Connaught Place, Dilli Haat, India Gate, and major university campuses, enabling participants to directly engage communities, captivate audiences, and redefine perceptions through live storytelling.
Who We Support: Inclusion at the Core
At the center of Project Abhinay are persons with disabilities, with a specialized focus on individuals with cerebral palsy and severe motor and speech impairments who often face the deepest isolation. For many participants, this initiative offers their very first opportunity to step outside protective family boundaries, take creative risks, and interact dynamically with the world. The program also embraces peers, families, and creative volunteers from diverse backgrounds, cultivating an integrated stage ensemble that models true social inclusion. By giving marginalized performers a secure, accessible platform to express themselves freely, Project Abhinay transforms perceived vulnerabilities into artistic power, mutual mentorship, and profound individual resilience.
End-to-End Support & Mentorship
To ensure every artist participates with total confidence and safety, YES! We Can Trust manages the end-to-end framework of every workshop and production. The organization provides barrier-free transport, specialized rehearsal facilities, and experienced theatre trainers alongside dedicated assistant directors to accommodate diverse access requirements. The Trust supports the entire creative pipeline, from conceptual scripts, music production, costumes, and stage props to sound amplification and assistive microphones. Furthermore, professional filming crews document the entire transformational journey, creating high-impact documentary films and digital broadcasts that carry the participants’ artistic achievements to national platforms and international film festivals.
Our Impact & Achievements: From Street Stages to "Aaina"
Since its inception, Project Abhinay has directly engaged tens of thousands of live viewers and reached lakhs more across digital and media broadcasts, sparking conversations on disability rights and equal opportunity. A major milestone is our adaptive theatre production, Aaina, where our artists took center stage to present their lived experiences, systemic hurdles, and triumphs before public audiences. The production stood as a mirror to societal mindsets, earning deep acclaim and proving that given an open stage, artists with disabilities are powerful change-makers. Beyond public accolades, the truest victory remains the profound shift in the participants themselves—individuals who once stayed secluded now look audiences in the eye, speak with conviction, and lead their communities with pride.
Experience the Movement: Support Adaptive Theatre
Every performance, scene, and dialogue delivered by the artists of Project Abhinay represents unyielding courage, creative brilliance, and the fundamental right to be seen and heard. By attending our performances, hosting community showcases, or partnering with our artistic productions, you directly champion inclusive arts and help bring marginalized voices to the forefront of society. We invite you to stand with our performers, witness the transformative magic of adaptive theatre, and join us in building an inclusive world where everyone can shine.
