National Children’s Theatre Festival:
PTA is always concerned about the betterment of children theatre movement in our country. In this regard it tries to arrange theatre festivals for the children regularly as festivals give momentum to the theatre activists and boost them up to work with more dedication. It is noteworthy that PTA has already arranged 14 successful festivals, which were highly appreciated by all.
Festivals in Short:
1st National Children Theatre Festival:
The first ever national children theatre festival was arranged from 16 – 23 March in 1995 at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Auditorium. 21 children theatre group participated in that festival.
2nd National children Theatre Festival:
The second national children theatre festival was organized by PTA in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from 27 April – 5 May 1997. 25 children theatre groups participated in that festival.
3rd National children Theatre Festival:
People’s Theatre Association & Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy jointly organized the 3rd national children theatre festival from 4-19 March 1999 at Central Public Library Auditorium, Dhaka. 46 children theatre groups participated in that festival.
4th National children Theatre Festival:
From 14 – 20 February 2001 with the participation of 30 children theatre groups, the 4th national children theatre festival took place at Shawkat Osman Memorial Auditorium. PTA and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy jointly organised the festival in association with ITI (Bangladesh Centre).
5th National children Theatre Festival:
The 5th national children theatre festival was organized by PTA from 14 – 20 February 2002 at Shawkat Osman Memorial Auditorium, Dhaka. 50 children theatre groups participated in the festival.
6th National children Theatre Festival:
In 2005 from 11 – 25 March the 6th national children theatre festival took place at Shawkat Osman Memorial Auditorium. This festival was organized by People’s Theatre Association, executed by RAKHAL. 65 children theatre groups participated in that festival.
7th National children Theatre Festival:
The 7th National Children’s Theatre Festival 2006 executed by RAKHAL was arranged from 12 – 28 June 2006 at Bangladesh Shishu Academy and Central Kachi Kacha Auditorium in Dhaka at a time. 80 children’s groups from different parts of the country took part and 83 performances had been showed in the festival, which
made it the largest theatre festival ever.
8th National children Theatre Festival:
The 8th National Children Theatre Festival 2007 was held from 15-29 June arranged at Shawkat Osman Memorial Auditorium (Public Library), Dhaka. 80 children’s theatre groups from different parts of the Country took part in the festival.
9th National and 1st International children, Indigenous children and youth theatre camp 2008:
PTA organized the biggest children and youth theatre camp held from 6-20 June, 2008 in Bangladesh entitled as ‘9th National and 1st International Children, Aboriginal Children and Youth Theatre Camp 2008’ in association with RAKHAL. 125 children and youth theatre groups including 26 professional groups from all across Bangladesh as well as groups from India attended the camp and this gathering was a nudge in the theatre arena of Bangladesh. The festival was supported by Swedish SIDA, Swedish ITI, Art Venture and Action Aid.
10th National children, Indigenous and youth theatre camp 2009:
PTA organized the biggest children and youth theatre camp held from 17-31 July, 2009 at Central Public Library Auditorium, Dhaka in Bangladesh entitled as ‘10th National and 2nd Youth, Tribal and Unprivileged Children Theatre Camp 2009’ in association with RAKHAL. 130 children and youth theatre groups including 5,000 child performer and 50000 child audience from all across Bangladesh attended the camp and this gathering was a nudge in the theatre arena of Bangladesh.
11th National children Theatre Festival:
People’s Theatre Association organized the biggest children Theatre Festival held from 9-19 May 2011 at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Segunbagicha, Dhaka entitled ‘11th National Children Theatre Festival’ in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. 95 children theatre groups participated in this fest. The festival was aimed at introducing our ethnic culture to the young generation and moving our children theatre movement forward to its goal. To strengthen the children theatre movement in Bangladesh, this festival is a milestone in history of Bangladesh.
12th National children Theatre Festival:
People’s Theatre Association organized the biggest children Theatre Festival held from 01 – 08 March 2014 at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Segunbagicha, Dhaka entitled ‘12th National Children and Youth Theatre Festival’ in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. 65 children theatre groups participated in this fest.
13th National children Theatre Festival:
People’s Theatre Association organized the biggest children Theatre Festival held from 06 – 12 May 2016 at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Segunbagicha, Dhaka entitled ‘13th National Children Theatre Festival’ in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. 90 children theatre groups participated in this fest.
14th National children Theatre Festival:
The 14th edition of National Children’s Drama and Cultural Festival held from 20 – 28 September 2019 at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital. A total of 95 children theatre troupes from across the country participated in that festival in this nine-day event. Arranged by People’s Theatre Association (PTA), in association with BSA, the festival had been simultaneously taking place at the National Theatre Hall, Experimental Theatre Hall, Studio Theatre Hall, National Music and Dance auditorium and open premises of BSA.
A number of 10,000 child artistes from 64 districts had participated in the festival. They staged a total of 94 theatrical plays. The festival had also feature dance, recitation, drawing, the Historic 7th March Speech, acrobatic show, and also performances by the specially-abled children.