Written by Hsi-Lun Tai
The sixth edition of World Stage Design (WSD) concluded at the end of October, marking another milestone for the global theatre design community. Co-produced by the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) and the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT), WSD 2025 brought together more than 200 designers from over 20 countries to Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. From October 18 to 25, participants engaged in a vibrant week of exhibitions, performances, talks, symposiums, and workshops that celebrated the diversity and creativity of performance design worldwide.
© OISTAT International
WSD 2025 unfolded across three main venues, each offering a unique dialogue between art, technology, and architecture. The SPAA campus hosted exhibitions of performance design, showcasing innovative works by international designers. At the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park, visitors explored the inventive spirit of the Technical Invention Prize. Meanwhile, the historic Bait Al Shamsi presented winning and selected entries from the Theatre Architecture Competition, bridging the city’s cultural heritage with contemporary architecture visions.
As participants journeyed between these venues, they experienced Sharjah’s layered narrative from its rich historical roots to its dynamic present and forward-looking aspirations. This spatial and conceptual journey embodied the festival’s theme, “Tomorrow’s Heritage,” inviting theatre professionals to reflect on sustainability, legacy, and the role of the arts in shaping the collective future.
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© World Stage Design 2025
“It is a moment of profound significance — one that invites us to rethink the geographies of performance and design.” – Jacqui George, WSD 2025 Project Director
As one of OISTAT’s flagship international projects, WSD takes place every four years in a different country. Since its inception, the festival has travelled to South Korea, the UK, Canada, and Taiwan. The 2025 edition in Sharjah marks the first time WSD has been hosted in the Middle East, a milestone that highlights OISTAT’s ongoing commitment to geographical diversity and inclusivity in the global theatre community.
By bringing WSD to the UAE, OISTAT not only broadened international engagement but also created new opportunities for exchange with the Arabic theatre community. The event became a dynamic platform for dialogue, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between regional and global theatre practitioners.
© World Stage Design 2025
On October 18, the opening day of WSD, OISTAT hosted a panel discussion with international and regional theatre organizations, including ASSITEJ International, the European Theatre Convention, and the Arab Theatre Institute. The conversation focused on shared challenges faced by international cultural organizations and explored possibilities for global collaborations. Through these initiatives, OISTAT continues to celebrate international connection, diversity, and the exchange of ideas, reaffirming its mission to nurture a truly global community of theatre professionals.
© World Stage Design 2025
During October 20-21, OISTAT held nine commission and sub-commission meetings, where members discussed commission agendas, elected new chairs, and planned on future projects. In the spirit of openness and collaboration, these meetings were also open to theatre professionals from around the world as well as local students from the UAE. This inclusive approach expanded the global network of OISTAT’s community, fostering cultural diversity and exchange across theatre disciplines.
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© OISTAT International
OISTAT serves as a vital hub for international cultural exchange, connecting over 30,000 members from 54 countries across five continents. OISTAT’s Headquarters locates in Taipei, Taiwan, and is supported by Ministry of Culture Taiwan. During WSD 2025, OISTAT Headquarters created a special gathering space, the OISTAT Corner, embodying the organization’s spirit of openness, diversity, and creativity.
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© OISTAT International
The cultural context of Taiwan plays an integral role in shaping this vision. As Eric Chen, Director General of the Commercial Office of Taipei in Dubai, U.A.E., noted during the Award Ceremony, “Taiwan is home to a vibrant and diverse cultural landscape. Its performing arts scene reflects the contributions of generations from varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds, shaping a distinctive artistic identity.” This perspective resonates with the values shared by OISTAT, making the OISTAT Corner a reflection of both Taiwan’s cultural spirit and the global OISTAT community.
© World Stage Design 2025
The OISTAT Corner invited designers, members, and visitors from around the world to sit, talk, and connect. Through videos, exhibitions, and face-to-face conversations with OISTAT Headquarters members, participants could discover the depth and vitality of OISTAT’s global theatre community. In addition, a selection of activities introduced participants to Taiwan’s theatre and cultural landscape, including an immersive VR work from Taiwanese artist Ya-Lun Tao, a one-day OISTAT Open Mic, and a hands-on experience of water calligraphy, reflecting the cultural richness and artistic freedom that characterize Taiwan’s theatre scene.
© World Stage Design 2025
With over 1,163 people registered online and more than 75 events including performances, talks, workshops, and masterclasses, WSD 2025 reaffirmed its role as an essential platform for global exchange among theatre professionals.
OISTAT Executive Director Wan-Jung Wei shared, “OISTAT will continue to uphold the freedom of artistic creation and ensure that the cultural energy of both the world and Taiwan continues to shine brightly on the international stage.”
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© World Stage Design 2025
Author / Hsi-Lun Tai (Project Coordinator of OISTAT)
TAI holds a Master’s degree in Performing Arts Administration from New York University. She previously served as a Program Marketing Associate at the National Taichung Theater and has managed marketing campaigns for several major arts festivals in Taiwan, including the Taichung Jazz Festival and the Chiayi City International Band Festival. Driven by a deep passion for sharing the transformative power of theatre, TAI currently works as a Project Coordinator at the OISTAT Headquarters, where she is responsible for social media, website content, event marketing, and writing articles for the organization.
