The Regional Drama Festival of the ‘Samanalayaya 2023’ organised by Sunera Foundation to showcase the talents of young differently-abled participants of its performing arts workshops around the island was held at nine regional locations.
From January, 29 Sunera workshops engaged in the rehearsals to prepare for the drama festival which started in July and concluded on September 1.
The regional performances held in Panadura, Kandy, Kekirawa, Minuwangoda, Dehiwala, Kuliyapitiya, Chilaw, Kamburupitya and Galle showcased the talents of around 900 Sunera workshop participants. Each Sunera workshop performed a play which was conceptualised, scripted and directed by Sunera trainers, and rehearsed by the participants. The best three plays of the regional festival will be showcased at the finals in Colombo to be held in October.
Sunera Foundation uses the medium of performing arts to achieve social integration for persons living with disability in Sri Lanka and conducts free, weekly workshops across the country. The Samanalayaya Drama festival is a result of regular workshops which entails a mix of drama rehearsals, music, exercises, art therapy and puppetry.
