Frank Bolton serves as president of the Newtownstewart Drama Festival in Tyrone. The festival has operated for more than 30 years.

Bolton began participating in drama in the early 1980s with the Newtownstewart Players. That group achieved success at All-Ireland level. In 1981 or 1982, he helped start the Backburner Circle. The group formed officially on May 1, 1986, with members including Ben McCoggan, Fintan Gallagher, and Gary Harrington. Backburner Circle reached seven All-Ireland finals. The group continued until 2011. Bolton then joined another group and won four All-Ireland titles.

The festival started in 1994. Frank McGillion initiated it by contacting Colin Kelly. Bolton, Russell Ladner, and McGillion organized the first event. It began as a confined section and later added an open section.

Bolton values the friendships formed through drama across Ireland. He continues to perform and compete at festivals. Fintan Gallagher now acts as festival treasurer.

Bolton calls for increased arts funding to sustain amateur groups. The festival relies on self-funding and a yearly draw. It has not received public funding in years. He stresses the need for support to involve more young people.