The Theater and Performing Arts Authority has announced the launch of the second edition of the Riyadh Theater Festival, under the patronage of Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Authority's Board of Directors, running from December 15 to 26, 2024. The festival aims to energize theatrical activity in the Kingdom, develop theater criticism, discover and nurture young talent, and raise public awareness and encourage engagement with the theatrical arts.

Registration for the festival opened this October and runs until November 10, 2024, with 20 theater troupes from across the Kingdom set to compete. Registration is conducted through the festival's official platform: engage.moc.gov.sa/riyadh-theater.

The festival invites professional and amateur theater troupes, production companies, theater club groups, and theater enthusiasts to take part by submitting video recordings of performances reflecting their work.

Festival Tracks

The festival will present theatrical works across two main tracks:

  1. Social Theater: addressing local issues and real-life stories drawn from the social environment, aiming to tackle these issues in a compelling way that reflects audience interests and needs.
  2. Contemporary Theater: focused on the creative expression of theatrical production structure, using modern methods such as scenography, sound and lighting, and character development, and also including the arts of monodrama and duodrama.

Side Events

The festival includes workshops, panel discussions, and an exhibition honoring a prominent figure in the theater field, aiming to promote the performing arts and advance culture and art in service of the festival's vision.

The festival is part of the Authority's efforts to develop theatrical talent, provide a supportive environment for the performing arts, and advance cultural and heritage goals, contributing to putting theater in the service of the community.