Youth theatre festival takes stage

Dubai: The Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre, the first Emirati initiative to promote young talent in theatre, will start today with a gala opening ceremony at 8pm at the Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association.

One of the key initiatives of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the youth theatre festival now in its third year, features eight plays performed by UAE youngsters from today until November 24. The 11-day event features workshops by theatre professionals on all aspects of theatre, including scripting, performing and producing a play.

Dubai Culture, the emirate's dedicated authority for culture, heritage and the arts, will honour renowned Emirati playwright and director Naji Al Hai with the "Theatre Personality of the Year" award at the closing ceremony of the festival.

Omar Ghabash, board member of Dubai Culture and chairman of the Dubai Festival of Youth Theatre, said the strong participation in the festival by UAE theatre groups and nationals highlights the popularity of theatre as a vibrant cultural activity in the emirate.

"The festival complements Dubai Culture's mandate to promote, nurture and strengthen talented youth in various cultural sectors. It also gives a strong platform for youngsters to showcase their skills, and potentially embark on new and rewarding careers.

"Over the past two years, many UAE nationals have honed their skills in theatre through the festival."

Ghabash said that the selection of Al Hai for the prestigious Theatre Personality of the Year award is in honour of "his outstanding contribution to the UAE's theatre scene right from the 1970s, when he mobilised his schoolmates to set up a theatre group. His contribution is even more special for his efforts in identifying and nurturing young UAE talent. People like Al Hai keep the flame of theatre enthusiasm alive and pass it on to new generations."

Al Hai is the executive director at the Department of Social Development at the UAE Ministry of Social Affairs. He chairs the Arts Theatre for Youth, and has directed more than 20 plays in addition to performing in 12 of them. He is the author of eight plays, and has participated in various festivals across the region. He also serves on the Script Jury of the Gulf Film Festival.