Qatar Foundation’s annual theatrical production, Showtime!, offers students a platform to develop confidence and artistic skills through bilingual performances in Arabic and English. This year marked the sixth edition of the event, which was held at Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education Theatre and drew an audience of over 400 guests on opening day.
The 2026 production, titled The Secret of the Garden, focused on themes of hope, healing, and transformation. Approximately 50 students from six schools participated, including institutions under Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education (PUE) umbrella and other Doha-based schools.
For many students, Showtime! represents more than just a performance opportunity. Miraya Kasala, an eighth-grade student at Doha College, reflected on her three years of involvement, emphasizing how the experience helped her grow in confidence. “Every year, I felt that my performance was improving and that I was growing and becoming more confident,” Kasala said, noting the encouragement she received from her grandmother in the audience.
The event also welcomed newcomers such as Nora Abdullah Al-Attiyah, a fourth-grade student at Qatar Academy Doha. Sharing the stage with her cousin, Al-Attiyah described overcoming initial nerves and expressed her enthusiasm for future participation. Similarly, Moza al-Ahmad, a fourth grader from Qatar Academy Al Wakra, highlighted the support from her family as she performed, saying, “I overcame my fear and learned how to show what I can do with confidence and make my voice heard.”
Showtime! aims to foster engagement with Arabic language and culture by incorporating Arabic alongside English in its musical productions. This approach provides students, including those for whom Arabic is not a first language, with the opportunity to explore the language creatively. Madeline Malisa, a ninth-grade student at the American School of Doha, shared that singing in Arabic through Showtime! was a unique and enriching experience that helped her learn and use the language in a new context.
The program offers experiential learning beyond academics, emphasizing skills such as acting, singing, movement, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Ghalia Mahmoud, a ninth grader at Qatar Academy for Science and Technology, who has participated for three years, described her connection with performing and the confidence gained through the process. “Being on stage is something I really love,” Mahmoud said. “The more time you spend on stage, the more you learn how to connect with the audience and the more confident you become.”
Organized by Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education Student Affairs and Community Engagement team and supported by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, Showtime! continues to be a significant cultural and educational initiative, enriching students’ skills and fostering a deeper appreciation for language and performance arts.