As part of the Ministry of Culture’s program and activities, the National Center for Theatre, Music and Popular Arts, affiliated with the Theatre Sector, has announced the launch of the second edition of the “Children’s Theatre Playwriting Competition” for 2026. This year’s competition focuses on two main categories: “Playwriting for School Theatre” and “Dramatization of School Curricula.” The competition aims to support creative talents, encourage playwriting for children, and strengthen the role of theatre in the educational and pedagogical process.
The competition seeks to discover and encourage new talents in children’s theatre playwriting and provide creative texts that contribute to enriching school theatre, in addition to presenting knowledge and school curricula through innovative and engaging theatrical formats for students.
The following requirements apply to submitted plays:
- The play must not have previously won any competition.
- The play must not have been previously published or performed on stage.
- Entries may be written in either Modern Standard Arabic or colloquial Arabic.
- Each participant may enter only one of the two competition categories and submit one play only.
- The participant must specify the category in which they wish to compete, as well as the educational stage for which the play is intended.
- The play must not exceed 50 pages in A4 format.
For entries submitted under the “Dramatization of School Curricula” category, the following additional requirements apply:
The play must be based on a subject included in the officially prescribed curriculum for the 2026/2027 academic year.
The participant must attach the school curriculum from which the play was adapted, specifying the educational stage and grade.
The play must be written in Modern Standard Arabic.
Applications must be submitted by sending a computer-typed copy of the play in Microsoft Word document format to the Center’s email address.
Applicants must also complete the competition application form through the Center’s website, attach a scanned copy of their national ID card, provide the required personal information—including their mobile phone number and images of both sides of the national ID card—and sign a declaration confirming that the play is their own original work and that they hold its intellectual property rights.
The Center will accept submissions until September 30, 2026. The competition results are scheduled to be announced during the closing ceremony of the Egyptian National School Theatre Festival on November 21, 2026.
Competition Prizes
First: Playwriting for School Theatre
First Prize: EGP 10,000
Second Prize: EGP 8,000
Third Prize: EGP 6,000
Second: Playwriting for the Dramatization of School Curricula
First Prize: EGP 10,000
Second Prize: EGP 8,000
Third Prize: EGP 6,000
The National Center for Theatre, Music and Popular Arts reserves the right to publish the winning plays in its publications and printed editions, as it deems appropriate.
Submission and Inquiries
Those wishing to participate may submit their plays electronically to the Center’s email address, while completing all required information and complying with the competition’s terms, conditions, and procedures.
If electronic submission is not possible, entries may also be submitted in person, provided that an electronic copy of the play in Microsoft Word document format is included. Submissions may be delivered to the National Center for Theatre, Music and Popular Arts, located at 9 Hassan Sabry Street, Zamalek, Cairo, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., during official working days from Monday to Thursday each week.
The Center confirmed that inquiries regarding the competition will be answered through its official email address. To complete the competition application form and register, applicants may access the designated application form link.
The National Center for Theatre, Music and Popular Arts invites writers, creative talents, and emerging artists to participate in the competition and submit new theatrical works that contribute to developing school theatre content and utilizing theatre as a means of delivering knowledge and fostering awareness and creativity among children and young people.
Source: The official page of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture
