Students performing during the musical play Showtime!
Doha, Qatar: Often seen as mere entertainment, the performing arts play a vital educational role. Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Showtime! exemplifies this by fostering cultural identity, creativity, and communication skills among students.
At the Pre-University Education (PUE) Theater in Education City, Showtime! reimagined the musical play The Yellow Brick Road, inspired by the classic novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by American author Lyman Frank Baum. This production blended a Qatari-inspired setting, culturally resonant characters, and rich visuals, further enhanced by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO).
Showtime! was entirely student-led, featuring a cast of 35 talented students from QF’s Pre-University Education (PUE) schools, including Qatar Academy Doha (QAD), Qatar Academy Msheireb (QAM), Qatar Academy Al Khor (QAK), Qatar Academy Al Wakra (QAW), Qatar Academy Sidra (QAS), Awsaj Academy, and Qatar Music Academy (QMA).
Sara Al Hajri, Director of Student Affairs and Community Engagement at QF’s Pre-University Education, highlighted the transformative impact of Showtime! and said: “Showtime! has always been more than just a performance, it’s an exceptional educational and creative experience that allows students to develop essential communication and collaboration skills beyond the classroom.”
Aisha Al Sultan, Performing Arts Coordinator at QF’s Pre-University Education, emphasized Arabic’s growing role in Showtime!: “This year, Arabic makes up 60% of the dialogues, double the previous edition, enhancing authenticity, heritage, and storytelling depth.”
She described Showtime! as a milestone for children’s theater in Qatar, delivering a Broadway-level production: “What makes it exceptional is that the entire cast consists of students, yet they performed with remarkable professionalism and creativity.”
Al Sultan praised students’ progress in acting and Arabic fluency: “Through intensive training, we refined their pronunciation and articulation, strengthening both their stage presence and language skills.”
“It’s inspiring to see students grow from minor roles to lead performances, reflecting their evolving talent. Showtime! is more than a production, it’s a journey of skill-building, creativity, and personal growth.”
Athabi Hamad Al Mudhahka, 9 years old, participating in Showtime! for the first time, shared: “I love trying new things outside of school. School activities are fun, but Showtime! is even more exciting because it allows me to do something special, have fun, and make new friends.”
Al Mudhahka explained that she initially felt a bit nervous but put in a lot of effort during rehearsals. When she saw the audience engaging with the performance and enjoying the show, she was overwhelmed with happiness and pride. She said: “At first, I was shy because I didn’t know anyone, and I felt a little nervous. But over time, I made friends, and we started laughing and having fun together, which made me feel much more comfortable.”
Miraya Kasala expressed her joy in being part of the performance, and said: “It was an unforgettable experience. My whole family came to watch me, and it was such a special moment. I will definitely do this again! I encourage all children to apply for the show next year, it’s a fun and exciting experience, just like it was for me.”
“This year, we had more acting roles, real characters, and bigger solo performances, along with incredible stage effects, making the show more exciting and dynamic. I enjoyed every moment on stage.
“Throughout this experience, I made new friends, met so many people, and gained more confidence in myself. This place truly feels like my second home.”
