In conversation with Rhea Amin on the AOTP Podcast
Art of the Possible (AOTP) is a development program launched by the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai, for technicians, designers, managers and the workforce that makes all the magic happen backstage. It is a free community-driven resource for professionals in the performing arts and live events industry.
In this episode of the AOTP Podcast, we speak with Rhea Amin, an actor, producer and marketing professional whose career reflects the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of the creative industries. From theatre and film to publicity, producing and arts management, Rhea’s journey highlights how creative careers today are rarely confined to a single role.
More Than One Path Into the Industry
For Rhea, one of the most exciting aspects of working in the arts is discovering just how many career paths exist within the ecosystem.
“We think about it as just theatre or film, but there are so many different possibilities,” she says.
Reflecting on the conversations at the AOTP Symposium, she points to the wide range of disciplines that intersect with performance today. Technology, architecture, engineering and design all contribute to the experiences audiences see on stage.
“You can study anything and still follow your passion at the same time,” says Rhea.
Rather than viewing theatre as a narrow profession with only a handful of roles, she sees it as an ecosystem filled with highly specialised careers, many of which remain invisible to those entering the field.
Finding Unexpected Skills Along the Way
Like many early-career professionals, Rhea’s path was shaped by circumstance as much as intention.
After graduating during the pandemic, she found herself entering marketing and publicity at a time when opportunities in the creative industries were limited.
“I just needed a job,” she recalls.
What began as a practical decision soon revealed itself to be an important part of the creative ecosystem. Through her work with independent films and productions, she began to understand how communications and audience outreach can influence the success and visibility of artistic work.
“The amount of impact that it has,” says Rhea, describing how strategic publicity can help independent stories reach wider audiences and create opportunities for underrepresented voices.
For her, marketing is not separate from the arts. It is one of the many ways creative work finds its audience.
Learning Through Producing
Another important chapter in her career came through producing.
As Assistant Producer for the first edition of the NCPA META Festival, Rhea worked closely with theatre groups from across the country, helping bring productions to Mumbai that had never previously performed at the NCPA.
“It was definitely a collaboration.”
The experience gave her a firsthand understanding of how many moving parts exist behind a successful production.
“At one point you’re a travel agent, at one point you’re running to the pharmacy, you’re also the marketing person. You’re doing everything basically.”
Working across multiple responsibilities taught her the value of adaptability and reinforced the importance of collaboration in bringing creative projects to life.
Why Platforms Like AOTP Matter
When discussing AOTP, Rhea returns to a theme that has shaped much of her own journey: exposure.
Many opportunities throughout her career emerged through conversations, introductions and meeting people from different parts of the industry.
“You meet different people and you get to learn about so many different avenues.”
For her, the value of AOTP lies in its ability to bring together professionals from across disciplines and introduce people to career paths they may never have considered.
“I never realised that this was a job.”
As the performing arts ecosystem continues to grow, platforms like AOTP can help emerging professionals discover new opportunities while building stronger connections across the industry.
Looking back, Rhea’s career has been defined by curiosity and a willingness to explore opportunities beyond her original plans.
Rather than following a single path, she has built experience across performance, producing, publicity and project management. Her journey reflects a broader shift within the creative industries, where careers are increasingly built through transferable skills and continuous learning.
For those entering the sector today, her message is simple: stay open to possibility. Sometimes the most valuable opportunities are the ones you never expected to find.
If you enjoyed this conversation, you can listen to the full podcast episode with Toby Van Hay on the AOTP Podcast. Subscribe, rate and share the episode, and to learn more, visit aotp.in/.
Art of the Possible is supported by the British Council and Godrej Agrovet.
