Nizwa – The spotlight is on Nizwa this week as the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) hosts the 8th University Theatre Festival at Nizwa Hall, drawing students, actors and critics from across the sultanate.

The five-day festival, which opened on April 19 and runs till April 23, is being held under the patronage of Dr Said Hamed Al Rubai, Vice-Chancellor of UTAS. The event brings together university theatre groups, a jury panel, critics and researchers to celebrate student-led productions.

The opening ceremony featured a welcome address and the honouring of invited guests, followed by the premiere performance by the UTAS Nizwa group titled The Seven Doors, From Darkness to Light. The production set the tone for a programme that includes performances by other UTAS branches.

The audience responded with enthusiasm, engaging with the performances and discussions that followed. Organisers said the turnout reflected growing interest in university theatre and its role in shaping cultural dialogue.

Among those attending was Omani actor Fakhriya Khamis, who commended the students for their efforts and encouraged them to continue pursuing theatre.

Participants described the festival as both a creative outlet and a platform for expression.

“For me, Omani theatre is a space where we live our stories and share our voices with others,” said Salem Al Rudaini, one of the performers. “It is where passion, hard work and sincerity converge in a single moment, and where we feel we can make a difference, even in a small way. It is our soul embodied on stage.”

Behind the scenes, technical teams played a central role. Muzna Al Busaidi, who worked on scenography and lighting for the Nizwa production, said the visual design was critical to the play’s impact.

“I designed and implemented lighting that served the scenes,” she said. “Despite the challenges and limited rehearsal time, I adapted to the circumstances. Lighting was crucial in highlighting details and giving the play its visual identity.”

The festival programme includes a series of performances staged by different UTAS branches, each presenting original productions that explore social themes and personal narratives.

An organiser said the festival reflects the energy of a new generation of theatre practitioners. “Omani theatre is alive, evolving and driven by young voices ready to be seen and heard,” the organiser said.

As the curtains rise each day in Nizwa Hall, the festival underscores the role of university theatre as both a training ground and a space for dialogue, where emerging talent experiments with form and storytelling before a live audience.

(Contributed by Asma Al Balushi, UTAS Nizwa)