Ithra Short Play Contest

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Ithra short play contest

The Ithra Short Play Contest is a national festival presenting new original theater scripts since 2021. We provide audiences with exciting and contemporary works that challenge and entertain. Ithra’s mission is to build a theater community in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia which produces high quality drama on the international level.

Since its inaugural season, the contest has had a huge impact on the Saudi theater scene through developing new, original work with emerging artists and providing a platform for many participants to launch full-time professional careers.

Calling All Theater Groups

Register Now!

Ithra invites theater groups to apply for the 2025 Ithra Short Play Contest, taking place from August 11 - 16, 2025.

Ten plays will be performed over the six-day program at Ithra’s Main Theater.

Timeline

Submissions Open

January 10, 2025

Submissions Close

March 10, 2025

Shortlisted groups announcement

March 20, 2025

Workshops, Rehearsals, Technical Rehearsals

May 5, 2025 - August 10, 2025

Live on stage at Ithra

August 11 - 16, 2025

Our Goals

For Artists

support and develop the craft of acting, directing, writing and design. We create a supportive and professional work space with high levels of administrative and technical support.

To Showcase

short-form theater. To create a platform for artists' telling stories. We provide the space for theater practitioners to showcase their performance skills to new audiences and industry professionals.

For Audiences

to stimulate and entertain audiences with short plays. We believe short form theater can move audiences as effectively as long form.

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What You’ll Gain?

Participants will receive:

Guidance by experts
Training & Mentorship by industry leading professionals in variety of theater related subjects.
Technical & Design Support for sets, costumes, lighting, sound
Networking with industry professionals and experts
Exposure to Local & International Professionals and opportunity to showcase your talent in front of industry leading figures Rehearsal Space & Facilities In a premier world-class venue Contest Program & promotional material

The application process

Theater groups have the option of proposing one or two Arabic or English scripts which will be evaluated by the evaluation committee and, if approved, theater groups can use them in the contest after approval from the script writer. If the proposed scripts are not approved, theater groups will be asked to choose from a number of selected scripts. Theater groups may also choose to directly utilize our selected scripts, without proposing scripts.
Contest coordinators will share a number of selected scripts with theater groups. (link for the selected scripts)
Theater groups will be asked to choose from these selected scripts.
Each team may choose two scripts and will present their creative proposals and artistic vision on the chosen scripts.
To apply as a theater group, registration must be completed via the Theater Group Form and submitted no later than March 10, 2025.
Members of theater groups may not apply to participate in the competition in more than one theater group.

Conditions for submission

The theater group is responsible for selecting the script, setting their creative proposal and artistic vision for the play, casting actors, leading rehearsals and overseeing the technical rehearsals.
The theater group does not have the authority to change the script without referring to Ithra’s representatives for approval.
Please note that to be eligible to participate as a group member, you must be at least 18 years of age. It is also recommended that you are a member of the Ithra Theater Society.
You can become a member by filling out and submitting the Ithra Theater Society Form.
Each theater group must not exceed six actors in total.
Each performance time must not exceed thirty minutes in performance time.

Selection process

Contest coordinators will evaluate and select ten theater groups.
The selected groups will participate in theater directing, acting and Production & Design workshops.
Rehearsals will take place at Ithra's Studio Theater.

The shortlisted groups will be announced no later than March 20, 2025.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact the Ithra Call Center at 8001221224 or send your inquiry via email to info@ithra.com