World Stage Design (WSD) is the first and only designer-based exhibition to showcase and celebrate performance design from individual designers. Held every four years, WSD has now travelled to many cities, Toronto, Canada (2005); Seoul, South Korea (2009); Cardiff, Wales, UK (2013); Taipei, Taiwan (2017), Calgary, Alberta (2022) and now Sharjah, UAE (2025).
WSD is an extraordinary international festival that includes exhibitions, performances, workshops, and lectures by professional designers and will provide attendees and participants with an outstanding opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in theatrical design and performance. WSD events are attended by enthusiastic theatrical practitioners, architects, technicians, educators, students, and theatregoers from across the globe.
The 2025 Exhibition is co-organized by Sharjah Performing Arts Academy and OISTAT and will be held on October 18th - 25, 2025 in Sharjah, UAE. There will be a programme of performances, masterclasses, panel discussions, workshops for you to get involved in throughout the 8 days under the umbrella of Scenofest.
Designers can enter their work to be shortlisted for exhibition. There are also two student competitions the Theatre Architecture Competition and the Technical Invention Prize.
More information on all of the above can be found on the WSD 2025 WEBSITE.
WSD is an OISTAT event that is comprised of 4 distinct components that are presented simultaneously:
- International Design Exhibition and Competition
- Scenofest
- Theatre Architecture Competition (TAC)
- Technical Invention Prize (TIP)
International Design Exhibition and Competition
Categories
The Exhibition will divide into the following categories for both Professional and Emerging Designers:
- Performance Design
- Space and Object Design
- Set Design, Sound Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Video & Projection Design
Exhibition Timeline
2024
- May 13th - Submission opens
- November 14th - Submission closes
2025
- April 7th - Announcement os selected entries
- October 16th-17th - Exhibitors move-in
- October 18th-25th - WSD 2025
Award Ceremony will be on October 23rd, 2025.
MORE INFO & SUBMISSION FORMS: https://www.sharjahwsd2025.com/exhibitions
Scenofest
Scenofest is a significant component of World Stage Design. In 2025, Scenofest will serve as a global platform for theatre professionals, students, and enthusiasts to engage in workshops, masterclasses, and performances related to theatre design. It offers opportunities for participants to learn from renowned experts, collaborate on creative projects, and explore new techniques and futures in theatre design.
Scenofest will foster international collaboration and the exchange of ideas, and it aims to inspire and educate the next generation of theatre designers and technicians while promoting the exchange of knowledge and creativity within the global performance community.
Call out will be announced soon. Details here.
World Stage Design 2022
The fifth World Stage Design was held on the campus of the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, from August 6 to 16, 2022, in conjunction with CITT/ICTS's Annual Conference Rendez-vous 2022.