Kathmandu, January 8, 2017: The Eighth National Children Theatre Festival 2017 is set to begin from February 13 this year. Shailee Theatre and Russian Centre of Science and Culture are jointly organizing the 7-days long national celebration of plays.
The script selecting committee of the theatre has also finalized 13 scripts from various schools and organizations to be presented as a play in the festival. All the scripts selected are featured around the child psychology, and will be basically played by child actors.
The call for script got an overwhelming response from schools and organizations around the valley, with more than two dozens of scripts received for the festival, said Nabaraj Budathoki, President of Shailee Theatre. “Though the scripts registered this year were exceptional, we are bound by the time duration of seven days, thus managed to finalize these 13 scripts after days of consideration,†he added.
According to the Aryan Neupane, coordinator of the theatre, this year’s festival is going to be more interesting and children-friendly with a lot of games, storytelling, celebrity Q&As, magic shows giving the impression of an actual festival. Just like how this festival provides a platform for children to show their acting skills in various plays, other such events will provide children from audience side to showcase themselves in front of mass audience, Neupane explains.
The best Child Male/Female Actors will receive Rs 7000 each, whereas the Best Direction and Best Play each will bag Rs 5000. Similarly, Shailee Public Choice Award and Best Emerging Child Actor each are to be feted with Rs 3000 as prizes.
The theatre team has worked hard to raise the standard of the festival every year. This year onwards, the theatre is going to create a list of 10 best-performing child artists and offer them with scholarships ranging from 50 to 75% in the theatre’s three month’s Training Workshop. They will also have a chance to participate and play in various short films, movies, plays and soap opera series.
Shailee Theatre team also will perform a play as an uncompetitive participant in the festival.
In the 7-days long festival, nearly 300 students are to perform on the stage, while 500 other students will show their talents in various other events. The organizer has expected a footfall of around 6,000 visitors for the event from various schools, organizations, parents and guardians as well as theatre enthusiasts.
13 scripts selected for the festival
Buddha Bhairab School: Mukti ko Yathartha ra Chahana
Sudesha School: Daar
Mahendra Adarsh HSS: Agyanta ko Patti
United School: Kubela
Reliance School: Koi Kina Barbaad Hos
Aams Organization: Kucho Army
National Pioneer Academy: Janch ko Bhut
Greenfield HSS: Doctor Aalu Kaalu
Malpi City School: Mahila Himsa
Sahara National School: Bokshi Samaya
Aakash Ganga School: Jaleko Chim
Khwopa School Jagati: Vanka
Fullbright School: Kumari