At the Pre-University Education (PUE) Theatre in Education City, Qatar Foundation (QF)’s 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 students from the QF’s PUE schools: Qatar Academy Doha, Qatar Academy Msheireb, Qatar Academy Al Khor, Qatar Academy Al Wakra, Qatar Academy Sidra, Awsaj Academy, and Qatar Music Academy.
Sara al-Hajri, the director of student affairs and community engagement at the PUE, highlighted the transformative impact of Showtime!, saying: “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.”
She emphasised the QF’s commitment to fostering students’ artistic talents and providing them with a platform for creative exploration.
“Showtime! is a space where students learn to express themselves, engage with their peers, and develop a strong sense of responsibility and leadership through performance,” al-Hajri added.
PUE performing arts co-ordinator Aisha al-Sultan emphasised 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 theatre 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 said.
She 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,” she added.
Nine-year-old Athabi Hamad al-Mudhahka is participating in Showtime! for the first time.
“I love trying new things outside of school,” she said. “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.
“At first, I was shy because I didn’t know anyone, and I felt a little nervous,” she said. “But over time, I made friends, and we started laughing and having fun together, which made me feel much more comfortable.”
