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General Rules and Regulations
- 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 make two submissions only.
- Ithra’s design team will be responsible for the design of sets, props, costumes and make-up, however a design representative from each group will work with the Ithra design team to achieve its goals.
- Each production shall have a duration of no more than 25 minutes.
- Productions should 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.
- If an individual or group is no longer able to attend due to a commitment, workshop or performance, it will notify the Festival Director and any other relevant team members with as much notice as possible.
- Groups will abide by venue-specific regulations and understand that professional conduct is required at all times.
Evaluation and Judging Criteria
- Script – points awarded for characterization, dramatic effectiveness, clarity and originality and story delivery.
- Lighting – points awarded for atmospheric enhancement, creation of scenes, cueing, and lighting design and artistic visual quality.
- Scenery – points awarded for creation of scene according to the script, best use of minimal scenery and props, visual quality.
- Sound – points for creation of atmosphere, appropriate timing and subtlety of use.
- Costumes and make-up – Points for appropriate use of make-up and costume, enhancement of the character.
- Director – points awarded for creativity and script interpretation, blocking of the stage, use of scenery, timing and rhythm of the performance, entries and exits and overall dramatic delivery.
- Acting – points for command of performance, timing, rhythm, emotional intensity and expression of movement and body language.
- Performance time management – points awarded for clean and smooth set-up and striking of sets, time keeping according to the contest rules.
General FAQs
What is the Ithra Short Play Contest?
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 Ithra’s Studio Theater in August 2024.
How does it work?
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 25 minutes (roughly 15 pages).
- Groups will register by completing and submitting the Group Registration Form no later than April 27, 2024.
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:
- Playwrights, directors, actors and production designers will participate in a three to four-week workshop program in the weeks leading up to the contest.
- Rehearsals will take place throughout the month of July.
- Technical rehearsals will begin August 1-11, 2024 in the Ithra Studio Theater.
Stage 4:
- The 10 selected plays will be performed at Ithra’s Studio Theater from August 12-17, 2024.
Will the plays be in Arabic or English?
We are accepting plays in both Arabic and English.
What genre should the play be?
The contest is open to all genres, but the content must adhere to the cultural norms and sensitivities of the Kingdom.
Who can participate?
To be eligible to participate as a theater group, all group members must be at least 18 years old.
Is the contest only for Saudi nationals?
No, participation is open to all residing in Saudi Arabia.
Where should I reside to be able to participate?
Groups can participate from anywhere in Saudi Arabia. Theater groups 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.
Will Ithra bear the housing and transportation costs for participants?
Ithra does not bear the costs of housing and transportation for participants.
What will the participants receive?
- Workshops in acting and directing.
- 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.
What do the workshops involve?
Directing Workshops:
- 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:
- Improvisation.
- Observation and Discovery.
- Communication & Active Listening.
- Stage Directions / Blocking.
- The Fourth Wall.
- Creating Stage Pictures.
- Warming up the Voice and Body.
How many works can I submit to participate?
Theater groups can submit a maximum of two scripts and two directorial visions.
Who can register as a theater group?
Anyone who has a background in the field of theater and short plays, and has an interest in the field.
How can I apply to participate as a theater group?
When applying as a theater group, registration must be completed through the theater group registration form by April 27, 2024, at the latest.
How do I know if I have been chosen to direct the play?
You will be contacted and informed on May 9, 2024, and accepted teams will be invited to participate during an open day.
Theater team responsibilities
What is the role of the theater group?
- 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 studio theater in Ithra.
How much time does each group have to present the play?
The training will continue from July 1 to August 11, 2024. So the duration is about 8 weeks.
When will technical rehearsals take place?
Participants are expected to attend technical rehearsals from August 1-11, 2024.
The Contest Rules
When will the contest take place?
The contest will take place from August 12-17, 2024.
How many award winners are there?
- Best Play.
- Best Direction.
- Best Actor in a Leading Role.
- Best Actress in a Leading Role.
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
- Best Lighting Design.
- Best Sound Design.
- Best Costume Design.
- Best Decoration.
- Best New Script.
- Best Script Adaptation.
How are the winners decided?
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.