Anya Kai, reporting

Parmeet Singh, an actor currently making waves in the New York City theatre and film scene, embodies a profound dedication to his craft that began continents away in New Delhi, India. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of art, a relentless pursuit of self-optimization, and a resilient spirit in the face of unique challenges.

Born and raised in the bustling capital of India, Singh’s artistic awakening came at the tender age of seven during an oratorical event. This initial foray into performance wasn’t merely an activity; it was a revelation. “The experience transported me to another world—one I didn’t want to leave,” he recalls. This early spark ignited an “unconditional pull toward the craft” that would shape his life’s trajectory. Despite limited access to regular theatre opportunities in his vicinity, his passion only intensified, leading him to take a significant leap during his ninth-grade year: auditioning for the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi.

The Transformative Power of Training and Collective Exploration

Gaining admission to the NSD proved to be a pivotal moment. The forty days immersed in its rigorous theatrical environment were, in his words, “transformative—I felt alive, creative, and truly myself.” This intensive training laid the groundwork for his artistic discipline and insatiable curiosity. Post-NSD, Singh’s commitment to his growth deepened. He collaborated with his facilitator to establish a small acting group, which eventually evolved into a daily practice collective he aptly named the “Magical Naturalists.” Despite being the youngest in the group, Singh embraced a leadership role, experimenting with diverse techniques like Chekhov and Grotowski, and meticulously tailoring practices to resonate with their collective.

For Singh, acting transcended the boundaries of a mere hobby or profession; it became a “friend, a guide, and a lifeline.” This profound connection redefined his understanding of “work” and “recreation.” He explains, “I came to see work as engaging with the world through my true self, and recreation as engaging with that self more deeply.” This philosophy permeated all aspects of his life, infusing everything from playing music to football with the same discipline and hunger for growth he applied to his acting. The stage, or any performance space, offers him a “sense of timelessness and purpose,” allowing him to delve into truth and emotional depth in ways that are both “unreal and entirely natural.” He views acting as more than a profession—it’s a “calling,” possessing the unique ability to “transcend space, time, and logic, and to connect me with something far greater than myself.”

Beyond his personal artistic endeavors, Singh also dedicated his time in India to making acting more accessible to a wider audience, working with the Ministry of Culture and spearheading projects and classes for both children and adults.

The Lure of Opportunity and the Hurdles of Immigration in the United States

Singh’s ambition to “optimize myself” and “sharpen my technical and foundational instruments” eventually led him to the United States. He recognized the country’s “abundance of artistic resources and a culture that is designed to foster artistic growth.” The prospect of collaborating with and learning from a network of esteemed teachers, companies, mentors, and dedicated peers was a powerful draw, fostering a “cross-cultivation that helps us all in our collective artistry.”

A Future Forged in Excellence and Accessibility

Despite obstacles, Parmeet Singh’s resolve remains unshaken. His future goals are firmly rooted in his unwavering commitment to artistic and personal growth. “I am devoted to the process of becoming a better artist, person, and citizen,” he states. He aspires to achieve “a level of visible excellence within myself as well as in the commercial domain,” with a clear aim of appearing in more prominent media, such as movies and TV shows.

Beyond personal acclaim, Singh harbors a deeper ambition: to make classical language more accessible to younger generations. He also seeks to continually discover a “greater degree of depth” in his work, pushing the boundaries of his craft and continuing his lifelong exploration of truth and emotion through performance. Parmeet Singh’s journey is a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of an artist who embraces every challenge as an opportunity for growth, constantly striving for excellence while remaining deeply connected to the transformative power of his art.