Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre seeks to nurture local scene

Festival judges will look for elements based on the kind of clear academic standards followed by international festivals, and the winner will be honoured during the closing night.

A performance at last year's Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre. Courtesy Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.
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Theatre enthusiasts are invited to enjoy free performances during this year's sixth annual Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre at Ductac, Mall of the Emirates.

An initiative by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the festival aims to cultivate the growth of the local performing arts scene and takes place from tomorrow until October 7.

An expert panel of judges, which includes veteran theatre professionals, will evaluate the plays to be performed during the festival and which were submitted by UAE-based talent in classical Arabic.

The panel is led by Dr Youssef Aidabi, the cultural counsellor to Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.

A special emphasis has been placed on the quality of the plays, says Salem Bel Youha, the projects and events director at Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

"Theatre is one of the region's oldest art forms, and we believe it is crucial to nurture and foster aspiring Emirati and UAE-based theatrical talent who can continue to contribute to developing performing arts landscape," says Bel Youha. "Winners will be evaluated by the festival's jury in several categories, from script to lighting, effects, acting and direction, among others."

The deadline for submissions was in August, and the shortlisted plays were chosen by the festival's Selection and Supervision Committee.

Festival judges will look for elements based on the kind of clear academic standards followed by international festivals, and the winner will be honoured during the closing night.

For non-Arabic speaking audiences, simultaneous translation facilities for all the plays have been introduced this year.

"Through this, we shall be able to widen our audience outreach and provide community members with vivid insights into the city's theatre scene," says Bel Youha.

For more details visit www.dubaiculture.ae