Note’s from the Show Director Paul Spicer
Welcome to Sharjah’s premiere production of Urinetown: The Musical at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy! As the Director of this remarkable student production, I am thrilled to introduce you to a unique and thoughtprovoking theatrical experience.
When selecting a title for this production, I wanted to bring a musical that challenges societal norms, sparks conversation, and pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling. Urinetown accomplishes all of these goals while offering a satirical and humorous take on serious themes.
Set in a not-so-distant future, Urinetownpresents a world where water shortage has become a dire reality. Private toilets are banned, and the citizens are forced to pay exorbitant fees to use public facilities. The narrative delves into questions of power, corruption, and social inequality, and asks us to examine the consequences of our actions, and the price we pay for ignoring the needs of the marginalised.
Our talented cast and production team have worked tirelessly to bring this imaginative world to life. From the intricate set design to the energetic choreography and the beautiful melodies, every aspect of this production has been meticulously crafted to transport you into the dystopian world of Urinetown. Through the powerful performances and heartfelt portrayals of the characters, we hope to engage your emotions, provoke your thoughts, and leave you with lingering questions about the world we live in.
I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the immense dedication and passion of our student performers and production team. They have poured their hearts and souls into their respective roles, committing countless hours to rehearsals and embracing the challenging material with maturity and professionalism. Their commitment to excellence is truly commendable, and I am grateful to have had the privilege of working with such talented individuals.
Additionally, I would like to express my gratitude to the faculty, staff, and administration team at SPAA, for without their unwavering support and belief in the importance of arts education, this production would not have been possible. Their commitment to fostering creativity and providing opportunities for students to explore their artistic abilities is truly commendable.
As you sit in the audience, I encourage you to engage with the themes presented in Urinetown. Reflect on and consider the parallels that may be drawn between the world of the show and the challenges we face today. Let this production be a catalyst for dialogue and change, urging us all to make a positive difference to the world around us.
Once again, thank you for joining us for the premiere of Urinetown in Sharjah. We hope that this production ignites your imagination, stimulates your intellect, and leaves a lasting impression. Your presence here tonight is a testament to the importance of the arts and the transformative power of theatre.
It is beautiful to know of the existence of SPAA, the only Academy of the Arts in the region, I believe that training artists is an obligation of every evolved society. The performing arts; theatre, dance, singing deserve consideration on a par with the visual arts.
Entertainment is an opportunity to discover and learn. In this Region institutions like SPAA can really make a difference, supported by the Government of Sharjah they are a fantastic opportunity for all those who want to choose an artistic career.
Marco Fraschetti
About SPAA
Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) is a centre ot excellence, and is the only dedicated performing arts academy in the Middle East. Our Academy focuses on training and educating students in performing and production arts to succeed in a competitive and ever evolving industry. SPAA provides a comprehensive education for the professional performing artist and for production and technical specialists.
Performing and production arts includes all the roles involved in the collaborative process of making professional performances. This includes, but is not limited to stage managers, scenic designers and painters. directors, actors, musicians, singers, dancers, theatre technicians, backstage crew, choreographers, costume makers, sound and lighting designers. SPAA graduates will be strong, confident, independent individuals with skills that enable them to be the changemakers of the performing and production arts industries. Developing creative, highly skilled and professionally trained individuals who are able to collaborate and lead in any global context is at the forefront of all strategic aims of our Academy.
For more information, please visit https://spaa.ae/.
