In planning for World Stage Design 2025, OISTAT is mindful of our organization’s purpose: a global network of theatre makers celebrating design, technology, and architecture in live performance. We strive for respectful exchanges of culture, ideas, and art forms which share unique human perspectives and celebrate diversity through live performance. His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Sharjah, President and Chairman of Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA); SPAA Executive Director, Peter Barlow; SPAA Deputy Director, Jacqui George and WSD 2025 Project Leader, Hazem Shebl are delighted to welcome all OISTAT members.

World Stage Design focuses on contemporary performance design, theatre architecture, performance design research, and live performance technology through an international exhibition and surrounding events. This will be the sixth iteration of OISTAT’s World Stage Design (WSD) and each advances the efforts of previous events: Toronto, Canada (2005); Seoul, South Korea (2009); Cardiff, Wales (2013); Taipei, Taiwan (2017); and Calgary, Canada (2022).

The Executive Committee is convinced that Sharjah Performing Arts Academy will provide a fitting stage for hosting WSD 2025 in a way that will stand in the tradition of its WSD predecessors. Our organization’s preparations for World Stage Design 2025 follows the successful Southern Europe and Northern Africa (SENA) 2021 Conference which stimulated international exchanges between OISTAT members and the region’s live performance artists, scholars, and technicians. WSD 2025 in Sharjah will contribute towards OISTAT’s goals in the 21st century in continuing meaningful cultural exchanges centered on performance, performance contexts and expanding professional connections with theatre makers across the globe. We will communicate all relevant information regarding WSD 2025 to ensure all members can make informed travel choices.

World Stage Design 2025 will further expand international collaboration across our organization. OISTAT’s Executive Committee will send a delegation to Sharjah in 2022 and continue discussions with our hosts about the event’s structure, while getting acquainted with SPAA, its facilities and the surrounding city. World Stage Design 2025’s dates will be confirmed after further dialogue with our hosts.