Plays from as far as the Barima-Waini and Potaro-Siparuni regions are expected to showcase their talent when the National Drama Festival kicks off on Tuesday next, at the National Cultural Centre.
They will be joined by others from Georgetown, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Demerara-Mahaica, Mahaica-Berbice and East Berbice-Corentyne in the festival which is scheduled to run for eight days, culminating on October 22 with the grand awards ceremony being hosted on October 31.
Festival Director Collette Jones-Chin says 32 plays are scheduled to be staged in their various categories: Open Full Length, Open Short or One-Act, Junior, Debutante, Secondary School.
Cash prizes to be won include Best Production, Best Production first and second runners-up and the Best Original Guyanese stage play for all the categories. The top cash prize of $1 million will go to the winner in the Full Length play, Open Category.
Trophies will be awarded for Best Production, Best Director, Best Costume, Best Set, Best Use of Lights, Best Use of Sounds, Best New Guyanese Play, Best Original Guyanese Play, Best Performing Cast, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress in all the categories.
Trained mentors from the National Drama Festival were deployed to all regions and schools to bring the plays up to “stage worthiness” according to Jones-Chin.
When the festival opens on Tuesday at 18:00hrs, the National Theatre Arts and Drama School will stage Pandora’s Box before the first competing play Double Take written by Vanessa Hinds and Brian Goodman in the Junior Category.
Admission is free and the National Cultural Centre Dress Code is in effect.
