Testimonials

• Teams may choose to enter an excerpt or abridgement of an established play of Ithra’s choosing as their selection.
• Teams may choose to enter an original script for consideration.
• Each team may hand in only two submissions. 
• Ithra’s design team will be responsible for the design of sets, props, costumes and makeup; however, a design representative from each group will work with the Ithra design team to achieve its goals.
• Each production can have a duration between 30 – 40 minutes.
• Productions can have a maximum of six actors. 
• Each team should be available for and take part in all workshops and designated rehearsal times in the weeks leading up to the competition.
• Groups understand that they will receive no payment for their involvement in the Ithra Short Play Contest, but will be eligible for prizes and professional development opportunities.
• By submitting and/or presenting your work to the Ithra Short Play Contest, the writer/creator of an original script thereby gives permission for the organizers to present the work at the contest.
• Groups will abide by venue-specific regulations and understand that professional conduct is required at all times.

• If an individual or group is no longer able to attend due to another commitment, workshop or performance, they must notify the contest director and any other relevant team members with as much notice as possible.
• Any changes to script or group cast and information should be submitted before June 29, 2026.

The Ithra Short Play Contest showcases short-form theater, with the aim of empowering Saudi talent. We welcome theater groups of any nationality who reside in Saudi Arabia to apply and share their talents and creativity before a live audience in the Ithra Theater in August 2026.

Stage 1: 

• Playwrights will submit one or two original play scripts or a selected, established play script suggested by Ithra with a running time of 30 – 40 minutes (roughly 20 pages) for contest shows and 40 – 55 minutes for hosted shows.
• Groups will register by completing and submitting the Group Registration Form no later than May 10, 2026. 

Stage 2: 

• Scripts and groups will be reviewed by the contest coordinators and shortlisted. 
• The shortlisted groups will be announced. 
• Coordinators will contact the nominated theater groups to obtain approvals from the teams to produce the play and approval from the playwrights. 
• Each director will be responsible for casting actors and running rehearsals. 
• Production designers will be provided to work alongside the group’s scenic artist and designers. 

Stage 3: 

• Directors, actors and production designers will participate in a one-week workshop program in the weeks leading up to the contest. 
• Rehearsals will take place throughout the months of June – July 2026. 
• Technical rehearsals will begin on beginning of August 2026 in the Ithra Theater. 
• The 5 selected plays will be performed at the Ithra’s Theater from August 10 – 15, 2026. 

We are accepting plays in Arabic for the contest track and play in Arabic or English for the hosted shows track.

The contest is open to all genres, but the content must adhere to the cultural norms and sensitivities of the Kingdom.

To be eligible to participate as a theater group, all group members must be 18 years old or older.

No, participation is open to all citizens and residing in Saudi Arabia for the contest shows track, and for everyone from inside and outside Saudi Arabia for the hosted shows track.

For groups participating in the contest track from anywhere in Saudi Arabia, theater groups must be able to travel to Ithra to attend workshops and rehearsals. Workshop and rehearsals dates will be announced once participants are selected, but they will take place during the weeks leading up to the competition.

Ithra does not cover accommodation and transportation costs for participants in the contest track. However, for hosted performances, accommodation, transportation and meals will be covered during the hosting period.

• Workshops in acting and directing and production and design.
• Rehearsal space.
• Designers responsible for creating the sets, costumes and posters for each group.
• A technical support teams.
• Venue for final training (technical and dress rehearsal) and venue for contest live performance.
• Contest program and promotional material.

Theater groups can submit a maximum of two scripts and two directorial visions.

You will be contacted and informed on June 4, 2026, and accepted teams will be invited to participate during an open day.

• The theater group defines its artistic vision for the play.
• Selection of actors and crew.
• Attending training workshops.
• Collaboration with designers.
• Preparing the theatrical movement drawing.
• Rehearsal management
• Monitor the pace of production.
• Supervising final technical exercises.
• Presentation of the work in the Ithra’s Theater.

The program will run from June to August 15, 2026, which is approximately 12 weeks.

Participants are expected to attend technical rehearsals from August 1, 2026.

The contest will take place from August 10 – 15, 2026.

There are four awards distributed at the end of the contest:

• Best Play
• Best Actor
• Best Actress
• Audience Choice Award

Anyone who has a background in the field of theater and short plays, and has an interest in the field.

When applying as a theater group, registration must be completed through the theater group registration form by May 30, 2026.

The winners will be based on the judges’ votes. The contest coordinators will form a specialized panel to evaluate the plays and determine the winners.