Aagaaz is the Urdu word for ‘beginning’. We are a community of theatre practitioners and facilitators, committed to examining and questioning ‘what is’ to probe ‘what could and should be’. We create spaces for ourselves and those we engage with, to discover ways of ‘act-ing’, with its dual meaning of taking action and performing on stage. We strive to develop and nurture the ability to think critically, be curious, imagine that which may seem impossible, and follow these new possibilities with courage. Aagaaz works towards closing gaps in learning, understanding the ‘other’, access, and dignity through engagement with theatre practices.  We engage with children and young adults at risk through drama-based processes. Our theatre repertory creates and performs plays for cross-demographic audiences to initiate dialogue across demographic boundaries. We also believe that dialogue isn’t possible without equality and dignity for all, so we specifically work long term with communities who have been rendered voiceless due to systemic marginalisation. We create hold spaces that deepen engagements with the self, the other, and the world.