In the run up to the eleventh edition of the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority has announced the new festival programme for 2017 and 2018.

This year, the fresh new series of initiatives includes 10 specialised academic youth theatre workshops covering various aspects of theatre – including writing, directing, costume design &  more – supervised by experts from the Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts in Cairo.

The workshops run from July to November, with a range of new competitions.

These include a theatrical composition contest under a ‘Year of Giving’ theme, and a best text award that will see the winner’s work produced during the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre 2018.

Workshop Schedule

The 2017 programme will kick off on July 2 with ‘Theatrical Script Writing’ workshops, which will continue for seven days alongside other workshops including ‘Voice & Language for Actors & Presenters’ and ‘Theatrical Costumes’.

‘Theatrical Make-Up’ and ‘Theatre Production’ workshops will follow in August, while September will be dedicated to ‘Theatrical Acting’ and ‘Theatre Directing’.

In October, participants will have the opportunity to learn about ‘Theatre Décor’, and the last two workshops – ‘Theatrical Lighting’ and ‘Sounds Effects & Music’ – will be hosted in November.

Who can apply?

The festival is open to participants aged 15 years or over who have the discipline to commit to the hours of workshops, sufficient talent and desire to participate, and the ability to handle the pressures of intensive psychological and physical training.

The Authority also stresses that participants must be able to communicate with others through teamwork, and be willing to follow the work ethic required during the practical and theoretical exercises.

Interested participants can apply via the following email address: dfytworkshops@dubaiculture.ae

In addition to the workshops in 2017, a comprehensive strategy is being developed for the 2018 edition, which will include international theatre performances, field visits for young artists to learn about best theatre practices in other Arab and international countries, intellectual seminars and forums that will develop the UAE performing arts sector and discuss the challenges faced by young artists and local theatres.

Further competitions and awards will also be launched in 2018, when there will be a focus on integrating people with determination into the theatre through training and work experience.