Board of Trustees
Our team consists of some of the very best educators, professionals, directors, choreographers, designers, stage managers and theatre technicians from around the world.
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi,
Academy President & Chairman
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi is a Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah, President and Chairman of Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA).
His Highness is the 18th Ruler of the emirate of Sharjah and is at the forefront of the emirate’s cultural, economic and social development.
His Highness established University City in 1997, asserting Sharjah as a forward-thinking emirate of education excellence, open to inviting cultural interaction and dialogue, intellectual exchange, curiosity and academic experiences in many fields of study.
His Highness is a lifelong scholar who holds a Bachelor of Agricultural from the College of Agriculture, Cairo University (Egypt) and two Doctoral degrees, the first in History from Exeter University (UK), and the second in Political Geography of the Gulf from Durham University (UK).
His Highness also holds 20 honorary Doctorates from renowned higher education institutions and universities around the world.
H.H Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi Official Website
Her Highness Hoor Bint Sultan Al Qasimi,
President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) and Deputy Chairperson of SPAA
Hoor Al Qasimi established the Foundation in 2009 as a catalyst and advocate for the arts in Sharjah, UAE, as well as regionally and internationally.
In 2003, Al Qasimi co-curated Sharjah Biennial 6 and has since continued as Biennial Director. Under Al Qasimi’s leadership, the Sharjah Biennial has become an internationally recognised platform for contemporary artists, curators, and cultural producers.
Her leadership in the field led to her election as President of the International Biennial Association (IBA) in 2017, an appointment that transferred IBA’s headquarters to Sharjah.
Complementing her role at SAF, Al Qasimi also serves as the President of The Africa Institute and Chair of the Board for the Sharjah Architecture Triennial, which inaugurated its first edition in November 2019.
Al Qasimi served as curator of the second Lahore Biennale, which opened in January 2020 across the city of Lahore, Pakistan.
Al Qasimi serves on the Board of Directors for MoMA PS1 in New York, USA; Kunst-Werke Berlin e. V. in Germany; and Ashkal Alwan in Beirut, Lebanon.
She is the Chair of the Advisory Board for the College of Fine Arts and Design at the University of Sharjah and is a member of the advisory boards for Khoj International Artists’ Association, New Delhi, India, and Darat al Funun, Amman, Jordan.
Currently, she serves as a member of the Prince Claus Award Committee (2016–present).
She has previously served on the juries and prize panels for the PinchukArtCentre’s 5th edition of the Future Generation Art Prize (2019), Bonnefanten Award for Contemporary Art (2019), Maria Lassnig Prize (2017), Mediacity Seoul Prize (2016), Hepworth Wakefield Prize for Sculpture (2016), Berlin International Film Festival – Berlinale Shorts (2016), Videobrasil (2015), Dubai International Film Festival (2014), and Benesse Prize (2013).
Al Qasimi has an MA in curating contemporary art from the Royal College of Art, London, UK (2008). She holds a diploma in painting from the Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK (2005) and received her BFA from the Slade School of Fine Art, London, UK (2002).
Executive Director
Professor Peter Barlow FRSA
Executive Director
Professor Peter Barlow FRSA, has been teaching and training actors, performers, and theatre technicians for more than 30 years, and is a Fellow of The Royal Society of the Arts (FRSA). A graduate of Rose Bruford, College of Speech and Drama, Mr Barlow has been responsible for representing and leading the top drama schools in the UK. His current adventure oversees the colossal endeavour of Sharjah Performing Arts Academy as the Executive Director.
Board of Trustees
Dr Yousif Aydabi
Cultural Advisor to His Highness, Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre of Gulf Studies
Dr. Yousif graduated with a specialization in Comparative Theatre and Film Studies and holds a PhD in the Theory and History of Theatre from Bucharest University, Romania.
He has held various professional positions in cultural policies, planning, and management in the fields of education, journalism, and publishing.
An academic, Dr. Yousif is the former Dean of the Faculty of Music and Drama in Khartoum, Sudan. He is also a critic, art historian, translator, and editor.
Dr. Yousif has published several books on poetry, literature, theatre studies, cinema, and art.
Mr Ismail Abdallah
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Arab Theatre Institute
Secretary General of Arab Theatre Institute
Chairman of Theatrical Association
Mr. Ismail Abdallah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Public Administration from Emirates University (1985).
Current administrative positions include Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Secretary General of the Arab Theatre Institute, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Theatrical Association in the Emirates.
He is a distinguished journalist and a former Director of Abu Dhabi Radio and Television.
Ismail Abdullah is a writer and playwright with 32 theatrical works and nine dramatic works that vary between TV, radio dramas, and movies.
He has participated in many local, Gulf, and Arab theatrical and cinematic festivals and has won numerous awards in theatrical and cinematic composition.
Mr Ahmed Aburehaima
Director General of Theatre Department; Department of Culture, Sharjah
Ahmed Aburehaima is an actor, writer and theatre manager who studied Media at the United Arab Emirates University and graduated (1990). After working for several years at the Ministry of Education, he moved to the Department of Culture in the Government of Sharjah in 2006 to head up its Theater Department.
Over the past 13 years Aburehaima has been the manager of many festivals and theatre conferences, including Sharjah Theatrical days, Sharjah Gulf Theatre Festival, Sharjah Desert Theatre Festival, Sharjah School Theatre Festival, Sharjah Scout Theatre Festival, Kalba Festival for short plays, Khorfakkan Theatrical Festival, and Dibba Al-Hisn Festival for Bilateral Theatre.
He is the editor-in-chief of the theatre magazine Al-Masrah, has participated in several judging committees for scripts and theatrical performances.
Aburehaima has been honoured at a number of Arab theatre festivals in recognition of his theatrical career, including:
- Jordan International Theatre Festival (2014)
- Theatrical Nights Rituals Festival in Jordan (2018)
- International Theatre without production Festival in Alexandria (2019).
Dr Nadia M. Alhasani
Professor and Dean – College of Fine Arts and Design, University of Sharjah
Dr Nadia M. Alhasani is Professor and Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Design at the University of Sharjah. She completed her bachelor degree from the University of Baghdad, and graduate degrees from MIT and the University of Pennsylvania.
She held deanship positions at the Higher Colleges of Technology and the Petroleum Institute, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the American University of Sharjah, as well as teaching positions at the University of Pennsylvania, Miami of Florida, Notre Dame of Indiana, and Michigan.
Dr Alhasani is the co-recipient of the 2016 Khalifa Award for Education, 2006-7 Research Fellow at the Aga Khan Program at MIT, 1994 National ACSA Faculty Teaching Award, Washington DC, 1992 Graham Foundation Grant, Chicago, and 1990-91 Willard A. Oberdick Fellowship from the University of Michigan.
She serves on the Task Force on the Teaching of Science in the Muslim World, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Academy of Engineering and Technology of the Developing World (AETDEW) under the auspice of the UNESCO, and the Advisory Council of the Sharjah International Foundation for History of Arab and Muslim Sciences (SIFHAMS).
Dr Habib G. Al-Attar
Secretary General of the Theatrical Association
Dr Habib is a former Cultural Consultant at the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Acting and Directing from the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Kuwait (1987), a diploma of graduate studies in Dramatic Directing from the Academy of Arts in Cairo (1993), a master’s degree in Theatre Sciences from the Academy of Arts in Cairo (1995) and a doctorate in Theatrical Literature from the University of Manchester in Britain (1999). He is the Secretary General of the Theatrical Association and a member of the Ras Al Khaimah National Theatre.
Dr Habib has participated in local and international theatrical festivals, cultural gatherings, theatre, television and radio as an actor, author, director, writer, lecturer, critic, member of judging committees, member of studies and research committees, and guest of honour. He also oversaw many theatre training courses as a supervisor and lecturer from 1987 until today.
Dr Habib’s many publications include: The Efforts of Directors in Establishing and Developing Theatre in the Emirates; Music of Language; The Indigenous Elements in Arab theatre; The Impact of Economic and Social Variables on Gulf Theatre, and A Study of Theatre in the Emirates. He has also written several theatrical scripts, such as Humoom Sagheerah; Oghneiat AlAkhras; Al Maseer; Ayshah, and Matha Ba’d.
Souad Abdullah
Actress and prominent artistic figure in the Gulf and the Arab world
Souad Abdullah is a highly respected Kuwaiti actress, widely recognized for her contributions to television, theater, and film in the Arab world. Born on September 5, 1950, in Kuwait, Souad Abdullah has had a long and illustrious career, becoming one of the most iconic figures in Gulf television and theater.
Her career began in the early 1960s when she joined the Kuwaiti theater scene. She quickly gained popularity for her talent and versatility, performing in a wide range of roles that showcased her ability to handle both dramatic and comedic parts. Souad Abdullah is particularly known for her roles in popular television series across the Gulf region, where she has portrayed strong, complex characters that resonate with audiences.
Throughout her career, she has worked with many renowned directors and actors, earning numerous awards and accolades for her performances. Souad Abdullah is not only celebrated for her acting skills but also for her influence on the development of Gulf television drama, making her a beloved figure in Arab entertainment. Her dedication to her craft and her ability to continually evolve as an actress have cemented her status as a cultural icon in the region.
Kassem Istanbouli
Founder of the Lebanese National Theater
Kassem Istanbouli is a Lebanese theater director, actor, and cultural activist known for his significant contributions to the arts, particularly in revitalizing and promoting theater in Lebanon and the Arab world. Born in Tyre, Lebanon, Istanbouli has dedicated his career to making theater accessible to the public, often working in underserved and marginalized communities.
Istanbouli is the founder of the Istanbouli Theater, which has played a crucial role in the cultural revival of Tyre, a city with a rich history but limited access to contemporary arts. His efforts led to the reopening of several old cinemas in the city, transforming them into vibrant cultural spaces where theater, film, and other artistic activities can take place.
His work is characterized by a strong commitment to social issues, using theater as a tool for education, dialogue, and community engagement. Istanbouli's theater projects often address topics such as war, displacement, and identity, reflecting the complexities of life in Lebanon and the broader Arab region.
In addition to his work in Lebanon, Kassem Istanbouli has participated in numerous international theater festivals, showcasing his unique approach to storytelling and his dedication to using art as a means of social change. His contributions to the arts have earned him recognition both locally and internationally, making him a prominent figure in the contemporary Arab cultural scene.