World Stage Design 2025: Interview with Jacqui George
In the lead up to World Stage Design 2025, I caught up with Project Director, Jacqui George on the planning and preparation for this event which will be held in Sharjah, UAE this year.
Anna Robb: Hi Jacqui, tell us what is World Stage Design 2025?
Jacqui George: World Stage Design is a coming together of all things Performance Design from across the globe. It’s a quadrennial event, with previous editions held in Toronto, Seoul, Cardiff, Taipei, and Calgary.
There are four parts to World Stage Design:
- The Exhibition: featuring the top 100 selected works by individual professional and emerging designers. We have an incredible international jury of 16 practitioners who are currently shortlisting.
- The Theatre Architecture Competition
- The Technical Innovation Prize and
- Scenofest.
This sixth edition is particularly special as it marks the first time World Stage Design will be hosted in an Arab city—Sharjah, UAE. Recognized by UNESCO as the“Cultural Capital of the Arab World” in 1998, Sharjah provides a fitting and vibrant backdrop
for this global celebration of design.
For WSD25, we’re focussing on Tomorrow’s Heritage and how our past shapes our future. By embracing our past, we can celebrate what our future holds, culturally and creatively. Also, everything we do we’re striving to do as sustainably as possible. We started with the Arabic translation of the Theatre Green Book and endeavouring to embed good practice at every level.
AR: What does the programme for World Stage Design look like, how many days? What kind of events and activities are to be held in this time?
JG: World Stage Design 2025 will happen over 8 days in October 2025 from the 18th to the 25th from 10 in the morning until 10 at night.
The event is co-produced by Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) and OISTAT (International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians) SPAA will serve as one of the main venues, hosting the WSD Exhibition, Scenofest and Sound Kitchen, which will feature presentations by sound designers and composers.
The Theatre Architecture Exhibition will be held at Bait Obaid Al Shamsi with support from Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) and Sharjah Architecture Triennale (SAT). a beautiful heritage house in the Heart of Sharjah, and the Technical Invention Prize will take place at the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park, one of our sponsors that we’re very excited to be working with.
Additionally, some activities and performances will also be held at cultural and heritage landmarks across Sharjah, such as Mlehia National Park.
AR: What is Scenofest?
JG: Scenofest is an international festival and celebration of performance design that takes place every four years as a part of World Stage Designand represents one of the most dynamic segments of WSD. It was created by the renowned scenographer Pamela Howard in 1994.
Scenofest includes workshops, performances, talks and masterclasses in all areas of performance design, technology and architecture. Scenofest originated as part of the Prague Quandrenial in 2003 and continued until 2011. Since 2013, Scenofest has become an integral part of WSD.
Scenofestfor WSD25 are shaping up to be an incredible eight days of activity with something for everyone.We were thrilled with the enthusiastic response to the call for entries for Scenofest at WSD 2025. The planned programme promises to inspire, educate, spark collaborations, inform, and entertain attendees, making it a must-attend for anyone passionate about theatre and design.
We have performances from New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, Hungary, Indonesia, UK and the UAE. There are over 50 different activities scheduled.
AR: Who should attend the event?
JG: Anyone and everyone. We’d love to see people from all aspects of the performance design community and people who enjoy engaging with the creative and cultural sector.
- Theatre professionals: Designers, directors, technicians.
- Academics and students: Especially those studying performing arts and design.
- Enthusiasts: Individuals passionate about theatre, design, and live performance.
- Anyone who is curious about the world of live events.
AR: You are the Project Director. Tell us what is your roles and responsibilities are for this event?
JG: I’m collaborating closely with our stakeholders to ensure this event resonates with our regional audience, the global performance design community, and OISTAT members. My role is dynamic and diverse, which I absolutely love—it ranges from site visits in the desert to late-night Zoom calls with designers worldwide. One day I’m navigating ticketing platforms, and the next, I’m introducing World Stage Design to a new audience here in the UAE.
Our team is small but growing, and each member brings incredible knowledge and experience to the table. Together, we’re dedicated to creating a truly unique edition of World Stage Design.
AR: What are you looking forward to seeing and doing at the event?
JG: That’s like asking a parent to pick their favourite child! I’m very much looking forward to the talent, innovation, discussions, of the entire programme. We received outstanding entries for the Exhibition and Competitions, and the Scenofest programme is particularly strong. I’m excited for people to experience everything the event has to offer.
Some of the many highlights to pique your interest, include thePickle Party, the choral immersive workTranscendent Renaissance by Calin Topa. There are also some brilliant talks, such as theTactile Model, a scenic model developed by the Japan Association of Theatre Design and Technicians (JATDT) to make theatre accessible for visually impaired audiences, and a workshop from Jorg Schellekens exploring creating geo-located sound walks. Masterclasses from Miljena Vučković withHeritage as Stage and Colour Dramaturgy in Stage Lighting: The Colours of Sintang Dalisay, a Filipino adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet from Cortezano. Not to mention a Research Symposium and some incredible Immersive experiences.
AR: Tell us a little about Sharjah? Where is it? What is it like to work there?
JG: Sharjah is the third-largest emirate in the UAE and is renowned as the cultural heart of the country. It is a family-friendly destination recognized for its dedication to arts, education, and heritage.
The emirate has stunning beaches on both the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, alongside diverse landscapes that include the mangroves of Kalba and the Hajar Mountains.
Sharjah has been mine and my family’s home for the past 7 years. Working in Sharjah provides a blend of modern vitality, a vibrant cultural scene, and the charm of Emirati traditions. The best of everything.
AR: Tell us about the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy.
JG: Established in September 2019, the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) is a dedicated conservatoire for performing and production arts. It offers world-class training and education, equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for sustainable careers in the global creative and cultural industries. SPAA upholds the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, by providing students with opportunities to study, practice, and contribute to the growth of professional performing arts in the region.SPAA has two cohorts of graduates who are already forging fantastic careers locally and globally in the creative sector. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for them all.
AR: How do we register, attend and participate in this event?Where do we find more information regarding the event?
JG: Check out our website, the complete programme and all updates will be shared here and hints and tips for travelling to Sharjah. You can also keep up tp date on our social media channels on Instagram and Facebook. Instagram: @worldstagedesign_sharjah,Facebook: @wsd2025
From February 2025 you can register to attend.
Tickets are now available through the WSD Ticketing platform.
For more information about the conference you can visit the WSD website or
drop us an email on[email protected]
Main image: The picturesque view of Sharjah, UAE.
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