ARARAT - Hundreds of budding thespians and theatre goers will be part of the milestone 25th annual Ararat One Act Play Festival at the Ararat Performing Arts Centre on August 2 and 3, hosted by the Ararat Theatre Company.

A total of eight theatre companies from the Western District and as far as the Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne and Ballarat will present 13 plays over the two-day Festival, vying for over $1400 worth of prizes.

Cash prizes and trophies will be presented for the Best Production (first, second and third), Best Comedy, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Player and Player Showing Most Potential.

This year's adjudicator is Kim Durbin, the Senior Lecturer in Performing Arts at the University of Ballarat. A former director at the Victorian College of the Arts and the National Theatre Drama School, Ms Durbin has won countless awards for directing and has taught at many acting institutions

She has directed for the likes of Melbourne Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre Company, State Theatre Company of South Australia and Playbox Theatre. She is a founding member of the Australian Women Directors' Association and a judge for the Victorian Premiers Literary Awards.

Rod McKenzie director of the Ararat Performing Arts Centre said it was an honour to have Kim Durbin as adjudicator at the 25th Ararat One Act Play Festival.

"The feedback and constructive criticism that Ms Durbin will provide participating actors will be invaluable to their careers,'' he said.

Mr McKenzie said he expected up to 300 people to attend each of the four sessions over the two-day event.

"The Festival is a major event on Victoria's theatre calendar and provides many economic benefits to Ararat,'' he said.

"It also provides high-quality entertainment to the local community.''

The Ararat Performing Arts Centre is very grateful for all the support it has received over the 25-year period and is the first to acknowledge that it would be nearly impossible to run such an event without the fantastic support of volunteers.

Admission price is $12 per session or a season ticket can be purchased for $30 which provides entry to all sessions. For bookings and more information, contact Ararat Performing Arts Centre on 5352 2880.

The Ararat One Act Play Festival 2007 is sponsored by Ararat Rural City Council, Ararat Performing Arts Centre, Arts Victoria and Play On Words.