On 1 October 2012, the curtains will once again rise on the sixth edition of the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre, a one-of-its-kind initiative aimed at recognising and cultivating Emirati and UAE-based theatric talent.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the annual Festival pays homage to the region’s oldest artform by providing aspiring talent with a platform to showcase their skills.

In line with the announcement by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to promote the country as the centre for nurturing and strengthening the Arabic language, this year the selected plays will be encouraged to showcase their plots in authentic and classic Arabic.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority is committed to strengthening the rich theatre heritage of the region through its flagship initiative, the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre. With the focus on plays in classic Arabic, the Festival will also strengthen our national identity. We are confident that the sixth edition of the Festival will further promote Dubai as a centre of theatric excellence, and provide a strong platform for the country’s talent to express their creativity.”

Additionally, the Authority has selected a Play Screening Committee comprising playwrights, actors, directors, and other theatric professionals, to will evaluate the plays with a special emphasis on the quality of the screenplay, based on feedback from the jury of last year’s Festival.

Dubai Culture is inviting submissions for entry from UAE theatre groups to take part in the 2012 edition of the Festival. The last date for submissions is 15 August 2012.

The 2011 edition of the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre was the largest yet in regards to the submissions received, plays showcased, and audience attendance. Over 4,000 people watched numerous performances over the 11 days, while the number of plays performed was the highest ever with almost every established theatre group in the UAE taking part. More than 150 new artists participated in addition to eight new directors, and three new playwrights.

Please visit www.dubaiculture.ae for further information.