The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), a Saudi Aramco initiative, announced the winners of the sixth Ithra Short Play Competition during its closing ceremony last evening. Five theatrical works competed in the main category for seven awards.
Prizes were awarded for Best Scenography, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Play Text, Best Direction, Audience Choice, and Best Theatrical Performance.
Ten productions reached the final stage after live performances that drew strong public interest and attendance from the theater and performing arts community.
This edition also saw the center honor Dr. Mona Kneaigo as its guest of honor, recognizing her work in preserving traditional performance techniques and advancing modern theater education in Lebanon and the wider region.
Registration opened in April 2026, followed by rounds of application, selection, and training leading to the final performances. Moreover, the 2026 edition expanded the range of participating theatrical experiences, with a diverse lineup of works from across the Arab world.
Ithra
The program featured “Atlantis,” “Container,” and “Law Number Seven” from Saudi Arabia, “The Kite” from Jordan, and “Moksha” from Bahrain — a lineup that underscores the competition’s role in strengthening theatrical activity and fostering the exchange of expertise among Arab practitioners.
Abdullah Al-Hawas, head of the Performing Arts unit at Ithra, said the competition continues to attract more directors, actors, and theater enthusiasts. He also highlighted its importance in providing a professional platform for theatrical talents to develop their craft and reach wider audiences, noting that 123 participants from Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries competed across ten productions this year.
Participants receive a comprehensive six-week training program that combines instruction, mentorship, and artistic development, helping to strengthen theatrical texts and performances while building skills across all stages of production.
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