Who SHOULD ATTEND WORLD STAGE DESIGN 2025?

• Perfomance Designers.

• Established and emerging professionals in creative sectors, especially theatre and live events.

• Students from all disciplines within performing arts

• Art enthusiasts.

• Anyone curious and interested in theatre and live events.

When can I submit my design for consideration for exhibition?

The Theatre Architecture Competition (TAC) is open for entry and closes on 14th April 2025. The Technical Invention Prize (TIP) will open on the 1st of February 2025.

For more information, check out the relevant page in the menu above.

How much does it cost to enter the competitions?

To enter the Theatre Architecture Competition the fee is 200 AED. If you live and work in one of the 22 Arab-speaking countries, you are eligible for a grant subsidy for your submission fee. More information on this can be found on our submission platform Award Force.

To enter the Technical Invention Prize there is no fee.

WHAT IS THE AGE LIMIT TO ATTEND WSD?

World Stage Design 2025 is open to individuals of all ages. However, some performances, workshops and activations may have age-specific guidelines, which will be clearly mentioned in the programme guide.

How are we working sustainably?

1. Mangrove Planting Initiative:

WSD has partnered with Goumbook’s ‘Trees Matter – Restoration and Reforestation’ program to plant a mangrove sapling for every Voyager Pass purchased.

2. Eco-Friendly Merchandise:

WSD merchandise is sourced from DGrade, a sustainable clothing manufacturer using recycled plastic bottles to create high-quality products.

3. Theatre Green Book:

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy was granted the license to translate the Theatre Green Book into Arabic to support sustainable practices in theatre and live events. This will be launched during WSD 2025.

4. Event Sustainability:

Efforts include using sustainable materials, reusing resources, and promoting eco-friendly choices throughout the event cycle.

What is Scenofest?

Scenofest is a worldwide celebration of scenography that includes a wide range of seminars, workshops, performances, and presentations by leading theatre practitioners in all areas of scenography and theatre technology.

WHERE IS WSD25 LOCATED?

• Main Venue: Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA), Sharjah

• Theatre Architecture Competition & Scenofest Activations: Bait Obaid Al Shamsi, Sharjah

• Technical Invention Prize & Scenofest Programs: Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park

• Other Activations & Performances: Various sites in Sharjah, which will be listed in the Scenofest schedule.

What’s the best way to travel to Sharjah, and where can I stay?

Sharjah is the third largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates and is the cultural capital of the UAE. It was the Islamic culture capital of 2014 and Sharjah World Book Capital for 2019 by UNESCO. Sharjah has an international airport and Dubai Airport is also nearby. There’s a wide range of accommodation in Sharjah to suit every budget, a visitor handbook can be found on our Visit Sharjah page.

Do I require a visa to visit Sharjah?

If you do not currently reside in the UAE and plan on attending WSD, you may need to complete a visa application. 

Find out if you need a visa to travel to the United Arab Emirates.

If you require a letter of invitation for funding or visa purposes, please email us at infowsd2025@spaa.ae