The Alberta Drama Festival Association (ADFA) is an umbrella organization for adult amateur drama activity in the province of Alberta. It was formed in 1969 to assume organization of the adult one-act drama festival formerly run by the Drama Division of Alberta Culture. ADFA is a non-profit association incorporated under the Societies Act of Alberta. There are no paid personnel. The executive and the regional associations are made up of individuals who have chosen to donate their time and energy to the community theatre of this province.

The province has been divided into ten (10) regions. Within each region, various functions, workshops and activities are organized or developed. Each region has a committee who are autonomous and operate to encourage and develop the potential within their region. Each year the representatives from these regions organize a festival. From these festivals, one play is chosen by an adjudicator to represent each region at the Provincial One Act Festival. Each of those chosen plays receives traveling expenses or a grant to assist in funding their participation in the Provincial Festival.

The festivals provide an occasion for the coming together of all community drama groups in a festival situation. We have followed the practice of having one or two adjudicators at a festival. They publicly comment upon the performances and are available for more detailed private discussion with the individuals involved in production.

Until 1976 the Provincial Festival was held yearly at the Banff School of Fine Arts. We found that due to the isolation of the location, needless expense, and assorted hassles, we would be better served by another location. The Provincial Festival is held in a different region each year. This enables a greater number of people to attend the Festival as participants in a performance or as an audience. With more participation, we are better able to achieve our goal of creating a memorable experience where people can grow and expand in their understanding of theatre. The region location also enables an extensive amount of donation and voluntary assistance in the planning, promotion, and operation of the yearly festival.

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