Staff Reporter
Lahore:Ajoka Institute celebrated the resounding debut of its ‘Art of Acting-Batch 25 at PILAC, Lahore last Friday. The event drew a large, enthusiastic audience who were captivated by “Suicide Point,” a darkly comedic play that marked a significant step for these emerging actors and underscored Ajoka’s dedication to socially relevant theater.Written by Ajoka’s Art of Writing student Ummer Amin, “Suicide Point” offers a sharp satire on the grim commodification of life, centering on a fictional company that provides “attractive” suicide packages. The play’s clever blend of humor and social critique, along with its engaging dialogue and narrative twists, deeply resonated with the audience, sparking reflection on life’s worth amid despair.This was the fuirst-ever appearance of the acting students but they captivated the audience with powerful performances, skillfully blending dark humor and sharp social critique in their debut. Their confident stage presence and compelling portrayals drew applause, showcasing the rigorous training and commitment to meaningful storytelling that define Ajoka’s approach.The cast of play includes Hamza Jahangir, Safdar Khan, Hussain Javed Afroze, Aarian Imran, Hiba Aqib, Fatin Shahid, Hadeed Nadeem Waqar Mustafa, Samina Khalil, Muhammad Hassan Tahir, Ahad Usman, Salman Aziz Rana and Awais kashif. Play was directed by Nirvaan Nadeem and Samawia zaman was Assistant director.Director Nirvaan Nadeem hailed the debut as “a testament to theater’s power to provoke thought and inspire change,” praising the students’ passion and dedication. He emphasized that Ajoka’s mission extends beyond performance, aiming to cultivate artists who challenge social norms and ignite dialogue.The evening concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony honouring the students’ achievements, marking not just the debut of new talent but a continuation of Ajoka’s legacy of promoting cultural dialogue through impactful theater.
