What is the GPAA Competition?

Every year, hundreds of aspiring dancers, singers, and performers from across the UAE and beyond gather for one of the region’s most exciting performing arts events, the GPAA Competition. Known as the UAE’s biggest Musical Theatre and Dance competition, it celebrates creativity, discipline and artistry while giving young talent the chance to shine on an international stage.

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or stepping into the spotlight for the first time, the GPAA Competition provides a professional platform where skill, passion and performance meet opportunity.

The Heart Behind the Competition

The Global Performing Arts Alliance (GPAA) was founded by Solange Urdang OBE, a name synonymous with excellence in performing arts education. Building on the legacy of the Urdang Academy in London, the GPAA continues to champion inclusivity, diversity and opportunity in the arts, ensuring that every performer has a stage to grow, learn and thrive.

The GPAA Competition is more than a contest; it’s a celebration of the global performing arts community. Each year, students from schools and studios across the UAE and Europe gather to share their craft, be inspired by peers and connect with industry-leading professionals from the West End and beyond.

What Makes the GPAA Competition Unique?

Unlike many regional showcases, the GPAA Competition bridges education and performance. Competitors are not only judged on technique, but also on artistry, storytelling and stage presence, the same qualities that define professional performers.

Categories and Styles

The competition welcomes a range of disciplines, including:

• Musical Theatre Performance

• Contemporary Dance

• Ballet

• Jazz

• Commercial Dance

• Acting Through Song

Each category highlights a different aspect of performance, encouraging versatility and emotional depth. Entrants perform solo, duet or group routines, with feedback from judges who are active West End choreographers, directors and casting professionals.

The GPAA Experience: A Professional Environment

The event’s atmosphere mirrors that of a professional production. From backstage coordination to lighting and sound design, every detail replicates what it’s like to perform in a world-class theatre.

Students gain real-world insight into stagecraft, learning to manage nerves, adapt quickly and perform under pressure — invaluable experience for anyone aspiring to a career in the performing arts.

Judging and Feedback

One of the defining features of the GPAA Competition is the expert feedback. Each routine is assessed by a panel of industry professionals who provide constructive, encouraging notes designed to help participants grow.

Past judges have included West End performers, choreographers, producers and vocal coaches, many of whom work closely with the Urdang International team (see more about Urdang International here).

Judges look for:

• Technical skill: precision, balance, control and clarity of movement

• Artistic expression: emotional connection and storytelling

• Stage presence: confidence, focus and audience engagement

• Originality: unique interpretation or choreography

These insights often become defining learning moments for young artists.

Opportunities Beyond the Stage

For many participants, the GPAA Competition is a stepping stone to new opportunities, from scholarships and summer school placements to professional auditions.

Some finalists are even invited to join workshops, intensives or GPAA Summer Schools that provide advanced training under the mentorship of West End professionals (learn more about GPAA Summer School 2026).

Through its partnership with Urdang International, GPAA helps students explore pathways to full-time performing arts training in the UK or international programmes in Dubai.

Why the GPAA Competition Matters

1. Develops Confidence and Stagecraft

Performing in a large-scale competition teaches participants how to manage stage fright, deliver under pressure and connect with an audience, essential skills for any performer.

2. Encourages Collaboration

Many group categories focus on teamwork, timing and ensemble harmony, echoing the dynamics of professional productions.

3. Promotes Global Cultural Exchange

The competition attracts international schools and studios, fostering friendships and creative collaboration across borders.

4. Inspires Lifelong Learning

Participants leave inspired, often returning year after year as they refine their craft and push new artistic boundaries.

A Celebration of Talent and Community

At its core, the GPAA Competition is about celebrating the human spirit through performance. It brings together dancers, singers, actors, teachers and families who all share one passion, the performing arts.

Each year, the event grows bigger, bolder and more exciting. The 2026 edition promises to be no exception, featuring new categories, exclusive masterclasses and a stage that will once again showcase the very best of the UAE’s performing arts talent.

How to Stay Updated

Details for the 2026 GPAA Competition will be announced soon. To stay informed, follow the Global Performing Arts Alliance on Instagram and visit the official events page for updates. Please register your interest for the GPAA Competition 2026 here.

If you’re an aspiring performer or educator looking to elevate your training, explore our partner site Urdang International for world-class programmes in the UAE and beyond.

Final Thoughts

The GPAA Competition is more than just a stage, it’s a launchpad for the next generation of performers.
From first-time competitors to seasoned students, everyone who steps onto the GPAA stage leaves with one thing in common: growth.

From the heart of the West End to the soul of the UAE, this is the GPAA Competition.