Active LearningArts in EducationBehind The ScenesStories

Back to the UAE: Why This Return Matters More Than Ever

In 2025, Poetry in Action will be back in the United Arab Emirates — and for us, this isn’t just another pin in the tour map. It’s a return to one of the most dynamic, culturally diverse corners of the world, and a chance to reconnect with an audience we’ve been separated from for far too long. (Thanks, Covid, you jerk.)

When we last toured the UAE, something clicked. 

I sat in the Emirates Theatre and watched the excitement young local children had for studies that had previously bored or confused them. I had to accept at that moment that the style of shows we offer – the insights we can bring – are truly universal. They cross cultures and geographical divides.

These young Emirati kids were leaning forward, eyes wide, connecting with ideas that crossed oceans and centuries. That’s the magic we chase.

This return is important for two reasons:

First, for our company.

Touring internationally keeps our artists sharp, ambitious, and inspired. It challenges us to adapt our work for different cultures without losing its heart. It also puts Australian creativity on the global stage, proving that we can hold our own alongside the best in the world. For a small, fiercely independent company like ours, these opportunities fuel our artistic growth and strengthen our reputation far beyond our borders.

Second, for our mission.

Poetry in Action has always been about more than entertainment. We use the power of live performance to ignite language, empathy, and critical thinking in young people. The UAE — with its incredible diversity and fast-growing appetite for the arts — is a place where those values resonate deeply. We’re not just performing to audiences; we’re starting conversations that ripple out into classrooms, communities, and beyond.

And let’s be honest — after the years of borders slamming shut, tours cancelled, and international connections put on ice, stepping back into the UAE feels like picking up a conversation we never wanted to pause. It’s a reminder that our work is part of something bigger: a global dialogue about art, identity, and the shared human experience.

In 2025, we’re coming back with more fire, more stories, and the same unwavering belief that poetry performed live can change the way people see the world. 

And we can’t wait to share that with the UAE again.

Bryce Youngman
Artistic Director & CEO