Ithra Short Play Contest - FAQ

A contest showcasing short form theater, with the aim of empowering local talent and enriching
theatrical content. We welcome writers, directors and performers to share their talents and
creativity before a live audience at this artist event.

• Playwrights will submit an original play script with a running time of 15 - 25 minutes (12-20 pages) by emailing it to theater@ithra.com by June 7, 2022. (This is now closed).

• Directors will register by completing and submitting the Director registration form no later than June 7, 2022. (This is now closed).

• Assistant Directors will register by completing and submitting the Assistant Director registration form no later than June 7, 2022. (This is now closed).

• Actors will register by completing and submitting the Actor registration form no later than June 7, 2022. (This is now closed).

• Scenic Design Assistants will register by completing and submitting the Scenic Design registration form no later than June 7, 2022. (This is now closed).

• Scripts and registered Directors and Assistant Directors will be reviewed by the contest coordinators and shortlisted.

• The shortlisted Directors will be selected by 15 June, 2022.

• The coordinators will communicate with the Directors to select one of the shortlisted plays. The 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.

• Each Director will be responsible for casting Actors and running rehearsals.

• Scenic Design Assistants will be chosen to learn form and assist alongside the Scenic Artist.

• The eight plays will be performed twice each over three performance days at Ithra’s Energy Theater.

We are accepting plays in both Arabic and English.

The festival is open to all genres.

To be eligible to participate as a Playwright, Director, Assistant Director or Scenic Design Assistant, you must be at least 18 years of age. It is also recommended to be a member of the Ithra Theater Society. You can become a member by filling out and submitting the form found at this link. (This is now closed).

No. This program is open to everyone from all fields.

No, participation is open to all.

- Rehearsal space situated at Ithra.

- Designers responsible for designing and creating the sets, costumes and posters for each group.

- A technical support team.

- Space for final training (technical and dress rehearsal) and space for festival live performance.

- Festival program and promotional material.

Yes, you can register for this year.

Local playwrights – amateur or professional – will write and submit a 15 to 25-minute original play (about 12 - 20 pages) that can be performed by no more than six actors.

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

Completed scripts should be submitted by email to theater@ithra.com. Writers will then be asked to sign a written consent to have their plays as part of Ithra Short Play Contest. (Download written consent). (This is now closed).

No more than one script per participant.

All scripts will be evaluated and shortlisted. Our decision is based on the merit and potential of the submission. You will be contacted and informed by June 20.

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 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 7 , 2022. (This is now closed).

You will be contacted and informed by June 15, 2022. 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.

Yes, you can, by submitting the play to this email theater@ithra.com with your written consent (Download written consent). Please note that if you are chosen to direct, it does not imply that the play you submitted will automatically be chosen as well. All received scripts will be to reviewed and shortlisted. (This is now closed).

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 2022 Ithra Short Play Contest. (Download written consent). Please note that if you are chosen to direct, it does not imply that the play you submitted will automatically be chosen as well. All received scripts will be reviewed and shortlisted. (This is now closed).

Yes, you can work with a cast of your choice. But it is required that you include at least one cast members from the list of registered actors as part of your cast. This list will be provided to the directors on June 20, 2022.

Each Director should have a script by June 20. Rehearsals will run until the end of mid-August. Therefore, the duration is about seven weeks.

Participants are expected to attend technical rehearsals from August 8 - 17, 2022.

- 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 7 , 2022. (This is now closed).

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 7, 2022. (This is now closed).

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

To shadow and work alongside the Scenic Designer.

Please note: Set construction site will be in Qatif.

All applicants will be part of a workshop pre-contest. The Designer will then choose their assistant/s who will help in the creation of the sets for all eight plays.

To apply as an Scenic Design Assistant, registration must be completed via the Scenic Design Assistant form and submitted no later than June 7, 2022. (This is now closed).

It will take place from August 18 - 20, 2022.

There will be seven award winners:

Best Actor

Best Actress

Best Director

Best Play Script

People’s Choice

Best Play

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.