Dubai Culture to honour best Emirati talent at closing gala of theatre fest
1. UAE nationals produce and enact eight plays
2. Specialised workshops focus on various aspects of theatre
3. Tribute to Late Salem Al Hitwai to be held today
4. DMI to choose best actors and offer potential careers in television
The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) will honour the best Emirati youth talent in theatre with an array of awards to be presented today (Tuesday, November 24, 2009) at the closing gala of the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre.
The first-ever initiative of its kind to promote youth theatre in the UAE, the festival has been ongoing since November 14, with UAE nationals coming together to produce, direct and enact eight plays that have been open to the public. The plays, held at Dubai Cultural Scientific Association, have attracted hundreds of theatre enthusiasts.
The closing gala is much-awaited as Dubai Culture will be presenting more than 15 awards in various categories to the participants. Additionally, Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI), the exclusive media partner of the event, will select the best actor and best actress and offer them potential careers in television. Commercial Bank of Dubai is the Rewards Sponsor of the event.
Omar Ghabash, Board Member of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and Chairman of the Dubai Festival of Youth Theatre, said the enthusiastic public response to the festival is a reiteration of the tremendous appeal that theatre enjoys in the UAE.
“The success of the festival once again puts the spotlight on the amazing powerhouse of theatre talent in today’s UAE youngsters. Through the event, we aimed to strengthen their talent through workshops led by veteran theatre professionals.”
The various workshops covered the entire aspects of theatre production – from lighting and scene setting to costume design and acting. One of the highlights of the workshop was a tribute to the late Salem Al Hitawi, held on Monday at 8pm.
An accomplished theatre professional, Al Hitawi has several dramas to his credit and his last work Yasmin Wal Mareed Al Shareer is considered a masterpiece. He has contributed to both adult and youth theatre, and won several awards for best playwright. He also made commendable contributions to television.
Dubai Culture, the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for culture, heritage and the arts, will honour renowned Emirati playwright and director Naji Al Hai with the ‘Theatre Personality of the Year Award’ at the closing ceremony of the festival on November 24.
Al Hai is the Executive Director in the Department of Social Development at the UAE Ministry of Social Affairs. He chairs the Arts Theatre for Youth, and has directed more than 20 plays in addition to performing in 12 of them. He is the author of eight plays, and has participated in various festivals across the region. He is credited with driving theatre talent, right from school days, and has played an instrumental role in nurturing theatre professionals in the UAE.
The awards to be given out at the closing gala include: Best Play, Best Director, Best Script, Best male actor, Best female actress, Best female supporting role, Best male supporting role, Best role for a non-Emirati, Best use of Lighting, Best music and sound effects, Best Scenery, Best costumes, Best makeup, a Recognition award and the Media award that includes two acting opportunities provided by Dubai Media Incorporated. The awards are decided by a panel of eminent theatre professionals and cultural leaders.
The Dubai Festival of Youth Theatre is one of several path-breaking initiatives by Dubai Culture aimed at strengthening and invigorating the cultural fabric of Dubai.
About the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority:
The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) was launched on March 8, 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Dubai Culture plays a critical part in achieving the vision of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 of establishing the city as vibrant, global Arabian metropolis that shapes culture and arts in the region and the world. The organisation has announced several initiatives that strengthen the historic and modern cultural fabric of Dubai.
These include:
Muhammad the Messenger Museum: The first project of its kind in the world to focus on and highlight the life and message of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him).
Gulf Film Festival: Dubai Culture recognises that a healthy film industry is necessary to take stories about Dubai’s culture, traditions, history and contemporary lifestyle to the world.
Bastakiya Art Fair: An annual art and culture event takes place in the houses of Al Bastakiya, one of the historic areas of Dubai.
Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre: An annual festival that celebrates and fosters the art of theatre in the UAE.
Dubai Next: To encourage and sponsor initiatives that contribute actively to the development of the cultural events and activities in Dubai. Recently, Dubai Culture showcased Dubai’s aspirations in culture to an international audience at one of the world’s most prestigious platforms, the Art Basel 39 art fair.
Khor Dubai: A living museum that celebrates the multicultural diversity of Dubai.
The Holy Lands: A collaboration with the unique and creatively rich Reiss Engelhorn Museen of Mannheim to bring an exclusive collection of never before exhibited rare photographs to the region and more specifically Dubai.
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