Call for Entries New Zealand International Theatre Festival & Symposium 2027 Wellington, New Zealand | 8–13 March 2027
In accordance with the decisions of the 41st General Assembly of AITA/IATA (held in Monaco on 18 August 2025), applications are now open for the New Zealand International Theatre Festival & Symposium 2027, officially designated as the International Festival of the International Amateur Theatre Association (AITA/IATA asbl).
This prestigious global gathering will bring together amateur theatre practitioners from around the world for a vibrant, non-competitive festival followed by an engaging symposium in Wellington, New Zealand.
Key Information
Dates: 8–13 March 2027
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Format: Non-competitive international festival and symposium
Eligibility: Open to theatre groups worldwide
Fees
AITA/IATA Members (National Centres and Associates) are exempt from the festival fee.
Non-members who join AITA/IATA prior to the Festival will also be exempt from the festival fee.
📩 Submit your application on the link below.
🗓 Deadline: 30 June 2026
Successful applicants will be notified by 4 September 2026
For further information and festival rules please visit the official festival website.
World Theatre Day 2026
“(…) We share the same excitement before a premiere.
The same nerves behind the curtain.
The same joy when the audience laughs at exactly the right moment.
Through festivals, exchanges, workshops, and friendships across continents, amateur theatre creates bridges between cultures. These encounters give us inspiration, energy, and friendships that often last a lifetime. It has certainly done that for me. (…)
Happy World Theatre Day.”
President of International Amateur Theatre Association – AITA/IATA asbl
We are delighted to share that we received plenty of video contributions from members and theatre practitioners around the world for our collaborative World Theatre Day video. The final collage of videos are already available to watch in all three official AITA/IATA languages via the link below.
In addition, Sofia Wegelius, President of AITA/IATA, shared a heartfelt and inspiring message on the occasion of World Theatre Day, which is available in its entirety at the same link both as a video and as a text, in French, English, and Spanish.
Discover the Latest AITA/IATA Articles
Upon our call in December AITA/IATA received inspiring articles from members and other theatre practicioners, we are featuring a section of one article below:
Amateur Theatre in Morocco – A Living Memory to Be Rehabilitated written by Mohammed Benjeddi from Morocco.
‘Theatre, a School of Life and a Mirror of Societies
Theatre is not merely an art of entertainment or leisure: it is a true school of life, a memory for nations, and a language capable of condensing the experiences of peoples and their vision of the world. Since the dawn of history, it has been an instrument for building identity, anchoring values, and transmitting culture.
Theatre teaches people to look at themselves, to listen to others, to turn reality into dreams and dreams into action.
In Morocco, as elsewhere, it has been a space for education in freedom, dignity, and awareness, a platform for critical thought and creative imagination. This noble art moves emotions, awakens consciences, rekindles the love of beauty, and restores humanity to mankind.’
Click on the link below to read more.
We welcome ready-written articles as well as ideas for potential contributions. Articles may be written in any of the three official AITA/IATA languages.
Please send your articles or proposals to secretariat@aitaiata.net
We look forward to showcasing your work and celebrating amateur theatre together.
World Children's & Youth Performing Arts Festival Antwerp, Belgium 21 - 30 August 2026
Early bird tickets are now available 
for International Teaching Artists Conference (ITAC8) held along with World Children’s & Youth Performing Arts Festival on the link below.
We’re delighted to announce the lineup of the 17 groups performing at the AITA/IATA World Festival of Children & Youth – Louder Together Festival this August in Antwerp, with the full list below!
- Argentina – SIlvia Vammaro
- China – Hong Kong Repertory Theatre Youth Troupe
- China – BIG MOUSE KIDS DRAMA GOUP
- Cyprus – Monika Meleki Theatre Workshop
- Czech Republic – Duncan Centre Conservatory
- Estonia – Theatre Flying Cow
- Finland – Circus Helsinki
- France – Solid’Art et Ty
- Germany – Theaterpädagogisches Zentrum der Emsländischen Landschaft e.V.
- Greece – Giannis
- India – Paramparagat Theatres
- Ivory Coast – National Higher Institute of Arts and Cultural Action (INSAAC)
- Kenia – Newstar Drama Group
- Lithuania – Kretinga Children and Youth Theatre ATŽALYNAS
- New Zealand – Creative Capital – Young at Art – New Zealand
- Ukraine – Childrens theater Kalambur
- United States of America – World Stage Theatre Company
Tickets for the performances at the festival are expected to go on sale in early April. Please visit aitaiata.net often for the latest information.
AITA/IATA is now on LinkedIn
We are happy to announce that AITA/IATA is now on LinkedIn!
You can find our account on the below link.
We look forward to connecting with you there!
WE ARE AMATEUR THEATRE Instagram
Let the world see your theatre!
Have a performance, workshop, festival, or busy rehearsal week coming up in 2026? Take over the @WeAreAmateurTheatre Instagram page for one week and share your work with a global audience.
Created by AITA/IATA, this account celebrates amateur theatre worldwide.
Membership Solidarity Contribution
Starting in 2026, AITA/IATA introduces the Membership Solidarity Contribution, inviting members to make a voluntary donation alongside their membership fee to support greater global inclusion.
These contributions will help enable applicants from countries with lower Human Development Index (HDI) rankings to join the association, strengthening international solidarity and access to the network. Funds will be allocated through a formal process from 2027, with transparent reporting provided annually and details shared at the General Assembly.
You can already see and celebrate those who have contributed to this initiative by visiting our Facebook page.