Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved the allocation of 747,000 dirhams as the budget for the 19th edition of the theatre season, which launches in October 2026, in continuation of his ongoing support for the theatrical movement and in affirmation of the principle of sustainable cultural action.
Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture, noted that theatre and theatre practitioners enjoy comprehensive support from Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, both financial and moral.
This support aims to establish an effective foundation for theatre in Sharjah in particular and the United Arab Emirates in general. Al Owais stressed that this initiative is one of His Highness's acts of generosity serving diverse cultural fields, adding that the support has created a state of theatrical continuity through the contributions of artists, creatives, and participating theatre troupes, whose works attract notable public interest that satisfies audiences' artistic tastes. This in turn motivates theatre companies to refine their selection of scripts and develop the skills of actors and technical staff — a development reflected in the advancement of the UAE theatrical movement and in the wins and honours earned by UAE theatre troupes at festivals across numerous countries.
Ismail Abdullah, Chairman of the Theatre Practitioners Association of the United Arab Emirates, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the successive acts of generosity by the Ruler of Sharjah, stressing the association's commitment, through this support, to embedding theatre in everyday life and society through carefully selected and distinguished productions — something that has created a state of continuous engagement between the season's performances and an audience eager to watch and interact with them.