Keep a positive attitude around everyone surrounding you. Never let anyone else’s negative view touch you. Thirdly, remember that you’re creating your own mission. Keep yourself up in the new era of social media/media. Finally, chase your dreams but without attachment to them. Do your share of hard work, and all your dreams will come true.


As a part of our series about creating a successful career in theatre, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Prachi Dixit.

Prachi Dixit is a distinguished Kathak dance teacher, performer, and choreographer, renowned for her expertise in the traditional Jaipur Gharana style. Her journey in dance commenced at the age of five, with early-stage performances at just seven. Trained by eminent gurus, including the Late Shri Kanhaiya Lal and Guru Smt. Shoba Koser, Prachi has honed her skills in Lucknow Gharana styles and vocal music under Shri Akheel Ahmad Khan of the Agra Gharana.

With educational qualifications spanning a BA in Indian Classical Music, Prabhakar Degree in Dance, Bachelor’s of Education, and an MA in English Literature from Agra University, Prachi’s dedication has garnered numerous awards, including recognition at the Bhatkhande Sangeet Pratiyogita, Sita Haran at Lions Club Agra, and her acclaimed portrayal of Shiva in Gangavtarana.

Since 2005, Prachi has graced the stages of renowned events such as the Taj Mahotsav, Agra, Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, and the International NRITYA RATNA Award at the 7th Cuttack Mahotsav. She passionately upholds her guru’s legacy by teaching and sharing the art of Kathak and Indian Classical music, particularly in the US, where she collaborates with schools, conducts workshops, and leads the Nupur Academy troupe in global performances. In recognition of her contributions to Indian culture, Prachi Dixit has received accolades from the City of Los Angeles in 2016 and 2021 for her relentless efforts in spreading the essence of Kathak to the community. Her life goal is to inspire the next generation of artists and provide insight into the rich tapestry of Indian culture through dance and music. As an active member of the PAN ASIAN PANORAMA committee, she continues to champion the cause of Asian culture worldwide.


Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

I was raised in a traditional Hindu family — while not steeped in rituals, we embraced and celebrated our Hindu values where art and music play an integral role, and we were encouraged to explore these artistic pursuits. Personally, I had a profound connection with music, which led me to choose music as a subject in my formal education.

Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?

The support of my father always helped me expand my views on art and music since he was an organizer of classical shows, creating a space for me to experience some of the top artists of Indian classical music and dance. And, of course, my Guru Kanhaiya Lal was a very big influence on my passion.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I would give my husband a lot of credit. When I moved away from India to live with him in the United States, he reminded me of how important it is for me to share my art of music and dance with the coming generations. I was very involved with an office job and raising my children when young; however, my husband supported me by sending me back to continue pursuing my dance. That is how he has helped me flourish on this journey.

You probably have a lot of fascinating experiences. Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

There were times in my career when I was teaching in small towns in the Midwest where there weren’t too many Indian families, and I had to actually almost “bribe” young kids to learn dance and music by serving their favorite foods, taking them places they would have fun, etc. In return, they agreed to learn dance from me. That surely was one of the most comedic starts to my dance teaching career.

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

I used to go from school to school in the Midwest teaching the younger generations about Indian art culture, and one of the most common questions was about the “dot,” or the “bindi,” we wear on our foreheads. In the small town, the clergymen of the main practiced religion had invited me to share a lecture demonstration about the Indian music, dance, and arts I teach. They presented a follow-up question on my bindi, and I explained it was simply a sticker! So, I had given everyone curious a bindi. However, that was not accepted very well, causing an upheaval of concerns and questions by the townspeople once they left the establishment. They were worried about me handing out the bindis since it was perceived as “converting” students to my religion. After much explanation on how that cannot be, I learned the lesson to always ask before giving or teaching because you never know how different people receive.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

Through dance, I am teaching the next generation how to use the strength of yoga, not as the ‘mainstream’ yoga, but as an inner yoga that is not done on the mat. We call it the “yogic movement,” meaning creating positive energy in the body, controlling the thought process (worries), and living in the moment. We also use meditation when dancing (and we call it “inward bound”). I outwardly teach these movements to my students, no matter the art form of dance or music, as they foster a deeper connection and learn to play and dance presently with an active mind.

You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of rejection, lack of support, or failure?

My advice would be to put the right intentions outward, always remember the passion to continue what you’re doing, and always believe in the process and not just the result. Everything always falls into place only if your eyes are always on the target. Of course, you will slip and fall sometimes but those falls are for learning new ways of being successful.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in the live performance industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

The first tip is to know what you’re trying to project and keep your mind open to suggestions. Pick and choose the suggestions you want to take and be strong, as a vision can only be created by you and you alone.

Thank you for all that. This is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career in Broadway, Theater or Live Performances” and why?

Keep a positive attitude around everyone surrounding you. Never let anyone else’s negative view touch you. Thirdly, remember that you’re creating your own mission. Keep yourself up in the new era of social media/media. Finally, chase your dreams but without attachment to them. Do your share of hard work, and all your dreams will come true.

For the benefit of our readers, could you describe how the skill sets you need in a theater performance are different from the skill sets you need for TV or Film?

In live theater performances, you get only one chance (no “retakes” are available, like in film or TV) to communicate what you want to communicate with the audience. No matter what is going on with you in your personal life, it should not affect your presentation in live performance. As someone who had been on the screenwriting side of the industry and now the directorial side of live performing arts, I have gained the perspective to know how to involve audiences in classical arts.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

I would inspire a yogic movement where you have to keep yourself in a very stable situation and the ‘ups and downs’ should not affect you. Stillness in your whole being will help you walk on the road of success.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Don’t look back. Mistakes happen to teach us and help us improve in whatever we are trying to execute.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.

Hope she just might see this — but Kamala Harris. For me to share this yogic movement, I believe, would be monumental. I feel as if she has an understanding of the modern world with the background of her Indian culture tied in, and I would, therefore, love to sit down and talk about the significance of true yoga with her.

I wish for a future where she can create a “yogic movement project” in schools where students can be taught to be achievers while still possessing the stillness and clear mind they should continue on with later in life. This immovable force they create in themselves can and will help our future generations grow to unimaginable heights only when they allow themselves not to be swayed by others’ projections on who they are.

How can our readers continue to follow your work online?

You can keep up to date on all upcoming events, theater productions, and all things relating to Indian classical arts on my Academy’s website: nupuracademyla.org. For a more “behind the scenes” look on our performances, you can follow our social media accounts on Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook all under nupuracademyla

This was very meaningful; thank you so much! We wish you continued success!

Author(s)

  • Savio P. Clemente

    TEDx Speaker, Media Journalist, Board Certified Wellness Coach, Best-Selling Author & Cancer Survivor

    Savio P. Clemente, TEDx speaker and Stage 3 cancer survivor, infuses transformative insights into every article. His journey battling cancer fuels a mission to empower survivors and industry leaders towards living a truly healthy, wealthy, and wise lifestyle. As a Board-Certified Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC, ACC), Savio guides readers to embrace self-discovery and rewrite narratives by loving their inner stranger, as outlined in his acclaimed TEDx talk: "7 Minutes to Wellness: How to Love Your Inner Stranger." Through his best-selling book and impactful work as a media journalist — covering inspirational stories of resilience and exploring wellness trends — Savio has collaborated with notable celebrities and TV personalities, bringing his insights to diverse audiences and touching countless lives. His philosophy, "to know thyself is to heal thyself," resonates in every piece.