Sharjah: Taiwan won five first-place prizes at the 2025 World Stage Design (WSD) competition in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, which concluded on Saturday. The awards included Sound Design in both the “professional” and “emerging” categories, along with professional Video and Projection Design, and emerging Set Design and Lighting Design.

According to Focus Taiwan, the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT) announced these achievements in a press release. OISTAT, co-organizing the event with Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, revealed that the 2025 WSD received 744 entries. Among these, 100 works from 20 countries were chosen as finalists, with Taiwan contributing 30 of these entries.

The competition, held every four years, was themed “Tomorrow’s Heritage” this year. It was conducted in collaboration with the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy from October 18 to Saturday, focusing on sustainable theater design.

OISTAT Executive Director Wei Wan-jung emphasized T
aiwan’s excellence in sound design, highlighting the two first prizes as evidence of the nation’s artistic capability. Wei thanked Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture for its consistent support of OISTAT, noting that the global recognition of Taiwan’s theater designers is a testament to the commitment of creators and cultural proponents.

Wei also stated, “We will continue to champion creative freedom and ensure that Taiwan’s cultural energy shines on the world stage.”

OISTAT’s website describes the organization as an international network of theater professionals specializing in design, technology, and architecture, with its headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan.