The National Youth Drama Festival is a large-scale drama festival and competition, designed to promote character formation and holistic education through the development of originality and cultural skills. It is intended to help young people develop their understanding of dramatic literature and the performing arts.

Applications :
The festival is co-sponsored by the Foundation, the Korean Theater Association, and the Seoul Arts Center with support from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Korean Culture and Arts Foundation, in cooperation with Kyobo Life Insurance, Co., Ltd.  The contest consists of regional preliminary rounds and a final; the regional preliminaries are conducted in 16 major cities and provinces. The schools awarded first prize in each of the regional preliminaries are qualified to participate in the finals held at the Seoul Arts Center, where the award-winning schools receive the Premier's Award, the Minister of Education's Award and the Minister of Culture and Tourism's Award among others, while individuals will receive awards for the best actor, the best staff, and the best teacher-producer, along with other special awards.

To promote cultural activities at a regional level, enhance the artistic education of the young, and encourage and promote cultural activities among students, various activities are organized as part of the festival. These include seminars and workshops in drama for teachers involved in production.

Schedule: Workshop for teachers involved in drama: January / Regional preliminaries: May∼September / Seminar on drama for students: October / Finals and awards ceremony: October

The 10th (2006)

This project is intended to help young people gain an understanding of dramatic literature and the performing arts, while promoting character formation; it is co-sponsored by the Foundation, the National Theater Association of Korea Inc and the Seoul Arts Center. 131 schools participated in a series of autonomous regional preliminary competitions held under the auspices of the National Theater Association of Korea Inc, then the 18 schools awarded the top prize in those preliminary rounds participated in the finals. The finals were held November 1～9 in the Jayu Theater in the Seoul Arts Center, and Electra performed by Dongsin Girls High School in Gwangju received the first prize. Since 2006 marked the 10th anniversary of these drama festivals, a Korea-Japan drama festival was held with exchange performances between the award-winning productions in each country, as well as an international symposium on drama education, and other special events were organized.

 

The 9th (2005)

The eighteen schools which were awarded first prize in the regional preliminaries were qualified to participate in the finals. The finals were held in Jayu Theatre at Seoul Arts Center from October 26th to November 3rd.

The awards ceremony was held on November 4th. Daejin Girl's High School's performance of "A Girls hangs a star on the bramble" won the Prime Minister's Award. In addition, the Minister of Education's Award, the Minister of Culture and Tourism's Award, the Best Actor Award, the Best Staff Award, and the Best Teacher Award were presented along with other Special Awards.

As part of the festival, various activities were organized to encourage and promote cultural and artistic activities among students such as a seminar and celebratory performances.

The 8th (2004)

The eighteen schools which were awarded first prize in the regional preliminaries were qualified to participate in the finals. The finals were held in Jayu Theatre at Seoul Arts Center from October 27th to November 4th.

The awards ceremony was held on November 5th. Dongbang Women's High School's performance of "Dead Poet Society" won the Prime Minister's Award. In addition, the Minister of Education's Award, the Minister of Culture and Tourism's Award, the Best Actor Award, the Best Staff Award, and the Best Teacher Award were presented along with other Special Awards.

As part of the festival, various activities were organized to encourage and promote cultural and artistic activities among students such as a drama education seminar and celebratory performances.


The 7th (2003)

The eighteen  schools which were awarded first prize in the regional preliminaries were qualified to participate in the finals. The finals were held in Jayu Theatre at Seoul Arts Center from October 27 to November 4.

The awards ceremony was held on November 6. Sunrin Internet High School's performance of "A Shower" won the Prime Minister's Award. In addition, the Minister of Education's Award, the Minister of Culture and Tourism's Award, the Best Actor Award, the Best Staff Award, and the Best Teacher Award were presented along with other Special Awards.   

As part of the festival, various activities were organized to encourage and promote cultural and artistic activities among students such as a drama education seminar and celebratory performances.

The 6th (2002)

The eighteen  schools which were awarded first prize in the regional preliminaries were qualified to participate in the finals. The finals were held at Jayu Theatre, Seoul Arts Center, from October 26th to November 3rd.

 The awards ceremony was held on November 4th. Sorabol High School, performance of "My Classroom" won the Prime Minister's Award. In addition, the Minister of Education's Award, the Minister of Culture and Tourism's Award, the Best Actor Award, the Best Staff Award, and the Best Teacher Award were presented along with other Special Awards.   

 As part of the festival, various activities were organized to encourage and promote cultural and artistic activities among students such as a drama education seminar and celebratory performances.

The 5th (2001)

The eighteen  schools which were awarded first prize in the regional preliminaries were qualified to participate in the finals. The finals were held at Jayu Theatre, Seoul Arts Center, from October 27 to November 4.

The awards ceremony was held on November 5. Busan Visual High School, performance of "A Wild Chrysanthemum" won the Prime Minister's Award. In addition, the Minister of Education's Award, the Minister of Culture and Tourism's Award, the Best Actor Award, the Best Staff Award, and the Best Teacher Award were presented along with other Special Awards.   

As part of the festival, various activities were organized to encourage and promote cultural and artistic activities among students such as a drama education seminar, meeting with actors, and various celebratory performances.

The 4th (2000)

The eighteen  schools which were awarded first prize in the regional preliminaries were qualified to participate in the finals. The finals were held at Jayu Theatre, Seoul Arts Center, from October 24 to November 1.

The awards ceremony was held on November 2. Gwangju SGirl's High School, performance of "Full Ship" won the Prime Minister's Award. In addition, the Minister of Education's Award, the Minister of Culture and Tourism's Award, the Best Actor Award, the Best Staff Award, and the Best Teacher Award were presented along with other Special Awards.   

As part of the festival, various activities were organized to encourage and promote cultural and artistic activities among students such as a drama education seminar, meeting with actors, and various celebratory performances.

The 3rd (1999)

The eighteen  schools which were awarded first prize in the regional preliminaries were qualified to participate in the finals. The finals were held at Jayu Theatre, Seoul Arts Center, from October 27 to November 3.

The awards ceremony was held on November 4. Seoul Seonrin High School, performance of "I will be back" won the Prime Minister's Award. In addition, the Minister of Education's Award, the Minister of Culture and Tourism's Award, the Best Actor Award, the Best Staff Award, and the Best Teacher Award were presented along with other Special Awards.   

As part of the festival, various activities were organized to encourage and promote cultural and artistic activities among students such as a drama education seminar, meeting with actors, and various celebratory performances.

The 2nd (1998)

The eighteen  schools which were awarded first prize in the regional preliminaries were qualified to participate in the finals. The finals were held at Jayu Theatre, Seoul Arts Center, from October 23 to 29.

The awards ceremony was held on October 30. Gangwon Sokcho Girl's Highschool, performance of "I Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme" won the Prime Minister's Award. In addition, the Minister of Education's Award, the Minister of Culture and Tourism's Award, the Best Actor Award, the Best Staff Award, and the Best Teacher Award were presented along with other Special Awards.   

As part of the festival, various activities were organized to encourage and promote cultural and artistic activities among students such as a drama education seminar, meeting with actors, and various celebratory performances.

The 1st (1997)

The eighteen  schools which were awarded first prize in the regional preliminaries were qualified to participate in the finals. The finals were held at Jayu Theatre, Seoul Arts Center, from October 27 to November 2.

The awards ceremony was held on November 3. Kyunggi Dongduchon Gils's Commercial High School, performance of "Our Voice" won the Prime Minister's Award. In addition, the Minister of Education's Award, the Minister of Culture and Tourism's Award, the Best Actor Award, the Best Staff Award, and the Best Teacher Award were presented along with other Special Awards.   

As part of the festival, various activities were organized to encourage and promote cultural and artistic activities among students such as a drama education seminar, meeting with actors, and various celebratory performances.