The National School Theater Festival, a collaboration between Egypt's Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Education, has announced the opening of applications for its inaugural edition. The festival, scheduled to run from November 10-21, 2026, aims to support and develop school theater in Egypt, discover and nurture theatrical talents among school students, and provide a national platform to showcase outstanding school theater experiences.
The festival's first edition is being organized by the National Center for Theater, Music, and Folk Arts, under the Ministry of Culture, in partnership with the General Organization for Cultural Palaces and the Central Administration for Student Activities at the Ministry of Education. According to Hisham Atwa, head of the General Organization for Cultural Palaces and festival president, the event seeks to promote and support theatrical talents among school students, enhance school theater, and foster creativity and artistic skills among young people.
The festival's objectives include supporting and developing school theater in Egypt, discovering and nurturing theatrical talents among school students, providing a national platform to showcase outstanding school theater experiences, and improving the artistic level of school theater performances. Additionally, the festival aims to develop students' skills in various theater fields, promote teamwork, discipline, and responsibility, encourage innovation and creativity among students, and support the role of teachers and supervisors in school theater activities.
According to Adel Hassan, director of the National Center for Theater, Music, and Folk Arts, and festival manager, participation in the festival's official competition is open to theater performances that won in school theater competitions organized by the Central Administration for Student Activities during the current academic year 2026/2027, as well as performances that won in previous competitions. Eligible performances must submit an official statement confirming their winning position, and a selection committee will review applications to choose qualifying performances for the festival.
The selection committee is set to begin reviewing applications this week, with the deadline for submissions being October 10, 2026. The committee's results are expected to be announced before mid-October. The festival's events will feature a variety of school theater performances, and it is expected to provide a platform for students to showcase their talents and creativity.
The National School Theater Festival is being held under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and Education, with the support of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, who is also acting as the Minister of Culture. The festival is seen as an important initiative to promote school theater and encourage young people to develop their artistic and creative skills.
The festival's organizers hope that it will become an annual event, providing a platform for school students to showcase their talents and creativity, and promoting the development of school theater in Egypt. The event is also expected to foster a sense of community and teamwork among students, teachers, and supervisors involved in school theater activities.
Key points
- The National School Theater Festival will take place from November 10-21, 2026.
- Applications for the festival's official competition are open until October 10, 2026.
- The festival aims to support and develop school theater in Egypt, discover and nurture theatrical talents among school students, and promote creativity and artistic skills among young people.
