FAQ's

The Ithra Short Play Contest showcases short form theater, with the aim of empowering local talent. We welcome all writers, directors and performers of any nationality who reside in Saudi Arabia to apply and share their talents and creativity before a live audience in Ithra’s Studio Theater in August 2023.

Stage 1
●    Playwrights will submit an original play script with a running time of 15 minutes (roughly 15 pages) with the written consent form attached by emailing it to theater@ithra.com by June 30, 2023. (Download written consent)
●    Directors will register by completing and submitting the Director registration form no later than June 30, 2023. 
●    Assistant directors will register by completing and submitting the Assistant Director registration form no later than June 30, 2023. 
●    Actors will register by completing and submitting the Actor registration form no later than June 30, 2023. 
●    Production designers will register by completing and submitting the Production Designers registration form no later than June 30, 2023. 

Stage 2
●    Scripts and registered directors and assistant directors will be reviewed by the contest coordinators and shortlisted.
●    The shortlisted directors will be announced no later than July 2, 2023. 
●    The coordinators will communicate with the directors to select one of the shortlisted plays. Playwrights will be notified if their play has been chosen by a director. The coordinators will link the directors to the playwrights if needed.
●    Each director will be paired with an assistant director. The assistant directors will be announced by no later than July 2, 2023.
●    Each director will be responsible for casting actors and running rehearsals.
●    Production designers will be chosen to shadow and work alongside the scenic artist.

Stage 3
●    Playwrights, directors, actors and production designers will participate in a three-day workshop in the weeks leading up to the contest.
●    Rehearsals will take place throughout the month of July.
●    Technical rehearsals will begin August 1 in the Ithra Studio Theater

Stage 4
●    The Nine selected plays will be performed at Ithra’s Studio Theater from August 14 – 19, 2023
 

We are accepting plays in both Arabic and English.

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 playwright, director, assistant director or production designer, you must be at least 18 years old. It is also recommended to be a member of the Ithra Theater Society, but it is not a mandatory requirement. You can become a member by filling out and submitting the form found at this link. This program is open to everyone from all fields.

No, participation is open to all residing in Saudi Arabia.

Playwrights can participate from anywhere in Saudi Arabia. Directors, assistant directors, actors and production designers need to be able to travel to Ithra for the workshops. Dates will be announced for workshops once the participants have been selected, but will be held within the weeks leading up to the contest.

• Workshops in theater making 
• Rehearsal space  Designers responsible for creating the sets, costumes and posters for each group
• A technical support team
• Venue for final training (technical and dress rehearsal) and venue for contest live performance
• Contest program and promotional material

Playwriting Workshop with Dr Sami Al Jumann

• Learn how to organize and refine your thoughts into a polished script. 
• Improve skills while also inspiring imagination and strengthening self-assurance. 
• Realize the importance of plot and structure in storytelling. 
• Examine the fundamentals of a dramatic plot as it appears in plays.
• Followed by a one-hour one-on-one feedback tutorial based on the already submitted script.

Directing Workshop with Sharjah Performing Arts Academy on June 9 and 10 (two-day workshop delivered in English at Ithra)

• How to deconstruct a play and figure out its narrative and ultimate goal.
• What a director has to know before their first encounter with their cast.
• Direction techniques for getting performers from initial contact to stage.
• How directors are equipped to help actors get ready for their roles.

Acting Workshop with Sharjah Performing Arts Academy on 6,7,8 July (three-day workshop delivered in English at Ithra)

•  Improvisation
• Observation and discovery
• Communication & Active Listening
• Stage Directions / Blocking
• The Fourth Wall
• Creating Stage Pictures
• Warming up the Voice and Body

Production Arts Workshop with Sharjah Performing Arts Academy on 6,7,8 July (three-day workshop delivered in English at Ithra)

• To explore costume, lighting, and stage management.

Local playwrights – amateur or professional – will write and submit a 15 to 20 minute original play (about 15 - 20 pages) that can be performed by no more than five actors.

As many characters as needed as long as it is performed by no more than five actors.

Completed scripts should be submitted by email to theater@ithra.com. Writers are also asked to sign a written consent to have their plays as part of the Ithra Short Play Contest. (Download written consent).

As many characters as needed as long as it is performed by no more than five actors.

All scripts will be evaluated and shortlisted. Our decision is based on the merit and potential of the submission. If accepted, you will be contacted and informed no later than July 2, 2023.

Yes.

•  The Director sets their artistic vision for a play
•  Selecting the cast
•  Collaborating with the designers
•  Blocking the play's movements
•  Leading rehearsals
•  Monitoring the production's pacing
•  Overseeing the technical rehearsals

Directors who have experience and are keen on directing short plays

When applying as a theater director, registration must be completed through the  director registration form and submitted no later than June 30, 2023.

You will be contacted and informed by July 2, 2023. Directors chosen will be invited to choose from the selected plays. If a play is selected by a director, it will be removed from the list on a first come, first served basis.

No, but you can still apply as a director and submit a play you wrote to be reviewed and shortlisted. But please note that if approved, it will be directed by someone else. 

Yes, you can. Please send the play to theater@ithra.com with your full name and a written consent from the Playwright to direct their script at the 2023 Ithra Short Play Contest. (Download written consent). Please note that if you are chosen to direct, it does not mean that the play you submitted will automatically be chosen as well. All received scripts will be reviewed and shortlisted.

Yes, you can work with a cast of your choice. But it is required that you include at least two cast members from the list of registered actors as part of your cast.

Each director should have a script by June 28, 2023. Rehearsals will run until the beginning of July.

Participants are expected to attend technical rehearsals from August 1 - 13, 2023.

• To assist the Director in facilitating the rehearsal process
• Taking notes
• Discussing the process
• Rehearsing scenes if an actor is absent
• Facilitating the smooth running of the entire production process
• Any other duties assigned by the Director

When applying as an assistant director, registration must be completed via the assistant director registration form and submitted no later than June 30, 2023.

Yes, you can add the name of the director in the form.

To apply as an actor, registration must be completed via the actor form and submitted no later than June 30, 2023.

The possibility of you being an actor in the contest depends on the directors’ casting. Registering as an actor helps us create a roster to provide the directors with casting choices.

The chosen production designers will be part of a workshop exploring costume, lighting and stage management. They will then work alongside the director, envisioning the stage scenery, props and costumes.

Registration must be completed via the  production designer form and submitted no later than June 30, 2023.

The contest will take place from August 14 - 19, 2023.

There will be six award winners:

• Best Actor
• Best Actress
• Best Director
• Best Play Script
• People’s Choice
• Best Production

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. The People’s Choice Award will be voted for by the audience members.