Submissions Open for the Inaugural Edition of the National School Theatre Festival
The administration of the Egyptian National School Theatre Festival—organized by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, through the National Center for Theatre, Music, and Folk Arts affiliated with the Theatre Sector, in strategic partnership with the General Authority for Cultural Palaces, and in cooperation with the Central Administration for Student Activities at the Ministry of Education and Technical Education—has announced the opening of submissions to participate in the official competition for the festival's first edition, starting now until October 10, 2026.
Supporting and Nurturing School Students' Theatrical Talents
Director Hesham Atwa, President of the General Authority for Cultural Palaces and President of the Festival, stated: "The inaugural edition of the Egyptian National School Theatre Festival, which will take place from November 10 to November 21, 2026, comes within the framework of supporting and nurturing theatrical talents among school students, elevating school theatre, and strengthening its role as one of the most vital avenues for discovering talent and developing the creative and artistic abilities of young people, alongside its educational and cultural role in shaping the student's personality and fostering the values of teamwork, dialogue, belonging, and creativity."
Developing the School Theatre Movement
Atwa added that the Egyptian National School Theatre Festival aims to support and develop the school theatre movement in Egypt, discover and sponsor theatrical talents among school students, provide a national platform to showcase outstanding school theatre productions, elevate the artistic standard of school plays, develop students' skills across various theatrical fields, reinforce values of teamwork, discipline, and accountability, encourage innovation and creativity among students, support the role of teachers and supervisors overseeing theatre activities, facilitate the exchange of expertise and experiences among school theatre troupes across the republic's governorates, and enhance the presence of theatre and the arts in the educational process—with full support from Prof. Dr. Abdel Aziz Qonsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture.
Conditions for Participating in the Festival
Director Adel Hassan, Director of the National Center for Theatre, Music, and Folk Arts and Festival Director, confirmed that the festival enjoys the support and follow-up of Dr. Ayman El Sheiwy, Head of the Theatre Sector. He noted that participation in the festival's official competition is open to award-winning theatrical performances from school theatre competitions organized by the Central Administration for Student Activities at the Ministry of Education and Technical Education during the current academic year 2026/2027 up until the submission deadline, as well as winning performances from the school theatre competitions of the previous academic year 2025/2026, and winning works from the Summer Capacity Development Centers competitions, "Summer 2026."
In order for an application to be accepted, it is required to attach an official certified statement from the Central Administration for Student Activities proving that the performance has won a placement or award that qualifies it for participation. The viewing committee tasked with selecting the performances qualified to participate in the festival's first edition is scheduled to commence its work this week until the close of submissions, in preparation for announcing its results before mid-October.