DCAA's Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre launched

Over the next ten days, the Festival promises a rare treat for theatre lovers. Being held from August 10-20, the Festival will present a new play in Arabic each night at 9pm. Entry to all the plays is free of charge. The event is being organised at the premises of the Cultural and Scientific Association in Dubai's Al Mamzar area.

The Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre is being held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Majed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (DCAA).

Yasser Al Gergawi, General Coordinator of Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre, said the initiative to hold the Festival and the patronage provided by Sheikh Majed and the DCAA, highlights the importance placed on the performing arts in the UAE as well as the active effort to engage young people in this arena, especially as it is part of the heritage of the country and the nation.

"The Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre, now in its second year, presents a great opportunity for budding actors and for the youth of the country as it provides them with a platform to develop and hone their talent and stage craft. It is also a great opportunity for people to see high quality theatre by the young people of the nation. It is a great summer activity for families,"

Al Gergawi said.

He thanked the Organising Committee of the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), which has actively supported the Dubai Youth Theatre Festival in keeping with its spirit of providing entertaining social and cultural activities throughout the summer in Dubai.

The organisers of the Festival have been overwhelmed by the response from theatre groups, which shows the growing interest in the arts among young people as well as the need for such a platform to showcase their talent. Of the many entries received, eight of the best theatre troupes have been selected to perform at the Festival.

The plays feature local and regional themes and have been written and directed by some of the well-known names in the region.

The organisers of the Youth Theatre Festival hope that such initiatives would provide an opportunity for young people of the nation to develop their skills and talent and to possibly identify theatre as a career opportunity.

Through the Festival and other DCAA initiatives, opportunities are being presented to the youth of this country to seek professional growth as world-class actors, directors, stage managers, lighting technicians, costume and set designers and other professionals allied to theatre.

Ismail Abdulla, Chairman of the Theatrical Association of Sharjah and an Advisor on the Festival Committee, said the initiative is not limited to Dubai alone, but is a nation-wide effort to promote talent among the youth.

"The organisation of the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre is a model that showcases the benefits of collaboration between the emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates,"

Ismail said.

The DCAA has recently announced a series of new initiatives and projects that are aimed at creating a cultural infrastructure in the country. The Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre is part of the on-going drive to focus on building the capacity of young people so that when the cultural fabric of the nation is completed and all the infrastructure is in place, young and talented nationals can 'tread the boards' of the stage and perform with world-class abilities and standards.