Marrakech Hosts the 5th National Festival of Amateur Theatre This June

The spotlight is on Marrakech this June as theatre lovers from across the country gather for a celebration of amateur stage art.

Fez– Marrakech, Morocco’s Ochre City, steps back into the spotlight as it welcomes the fifth National Festival of Amateur Theatre from June 15 to 19.

Organized by the Ministry of Youth, the festival is set to unfold at the iconic Dar Attaqafa Daoudiate.

This year’s edition picks up where previous ones left off: celebrating amateur theatre not just as a stepping stone for aspiring actors and creatives, but as a space for pure artistic expression.

It’s a continuation of a national tradition that has long supported emerging talent, raw creativity, and storytelling that is both daring and authentic.

Eight theatre troupes from across Morocco have made the final cut and will be competing for top honors.

Representing a wide geographic spread and artistic diversity, the participating groups are:

Alataa for Theatre and Cinema from Kalaat Sraghna.

Sewar for Culture and Arts from Chichaoua.

Tadla Fen from Kasba Tadla.

Alwan for Artistic Creativity from Oulad Teima.

Iklil for Theatre and Performing Arts from Benslimane.

Adonism for Theatre from Sale.

Live Art for Theatre from Karia Ba Mohamed.

Rakḥ Al-Qasr for Theatre and Cultures from Larache

Each will present a theatrical piece before a panel of seasoned professionals.

The festival’s main jury is chaired by Hicham Abkari, Director of Arts at the Ministry, and includes respected names like Toufiq Hamani, Fadila Benmoussa, Yassine Zaoui, and Abdelatif Ferdaws.

Awards will be handed out across several categories: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Scenography, Best Script, Best Direction, and Best Overall Play.

Beyond the competition, the festival remains committed to capacity building.

This year’s program includes a special “Masterclass” session titled “Theatre Practice: Between Hobby and Profession”, led by celebrated artists Saadia Ladib and Farid Regragui, and moderated by Hassan Hammouch. It’s a nod to the festival’s core missionto support amateur theatre’s growth and push its own limits.

In addition to the live performances and workshops, the festival will honor major contributors to Moroccan theatre.

This year’s tributes go to Farid Regragui, Mustapha Khalili, Mariam Saddiqi, and academic researcher Mohamed Zouhair, figures whose work has shaped the country’s theatrical and academic landscapes.

The stage is set. Marrakech is ready. And Morocco’s next wave of theatre talent is about to shine.