The GEMS Performing Arts Gala brought real-world stage experience to students, who performed at Dubai Opera with West End professionals
In the Age of AI, Human Performance Takes Centre Stage – and Dubai Takes the Spotlight
An Interview with Jodie Quirke, GEMS Senior Wellington Director of Performing Arts
As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries across the globe, from banking to filmmaking, there’s one area where human talent remains irreplaceable: the performing arts.
At the forefront of this belief is Jodie Quirke, Senior Director of Performing Arts at GEMS Wellington. This year, she helped lead a milestone moment for the region: GEMS Education’s Performing Arts Gala was held at the iconic Dubai Opera, marking the first time students took to the stage alongside ten professionals from London’s West End.
“It was a moment of individual brilliance,” Quirke says, “but also one of regional significance.”
The gala showcased more than just talent; it marked Dubai’s growing confidence in its cultural footprint. “As the UAE continues investing in creative industries and cultural infrastructure, the concert proved that world-class artistic talent can be nurtured right here at home.”
A West End partnership that elevates standards
At the heart of this initiative is GEMS’ collaboration with West End Stage, a partnership that’s less about lessons and more about immersion.
“These are not classroom simulations,” Quirke explains. “They are rehearsals, performances, and collaborations that mirror professional life.”
West End performers bring industry-tested knowledge to the students – from technical skills to the unspoken culture of the stage.
“They teach choreography and vocal technique, while also passing down the unwritten rules of the industry: discipline, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.”
The result? A student experience that feels authentic, demanding, and rewarding. “In this way,” says Quirke, “high expectations are not a burden; they are valuable preparation.”
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More than a performance
Taking the stage at Dubai Opera is about more than glamour. It’s a deep dive into the reality of professional theatre – fast cues, live audiences, backstage chaos, and all.
“Students experience the intensity of live production… They learn adaptability, fast thinking, and the level of preparation needed to meet professional benchmarks,” Quirke says. “Lessons in theatre become lessons in life.”
Mentorship that builds more than skills
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For students, performing with seasoned artists isn’t just exciting – it’s transformative. As Quirke notes, direct mentorship “gives them perspective. What does it take to succeed in a fiercely competitive industry? How do you stay the course after setbacks?”
It’s a view echoed by GEMS parents. “We’ve seen significant improvements in his confidence and performance depth,” says Tasha Allen, mother of Year 8 student Aiden. “He now trains weekly with world-champion dancers and receives one-on-one coaching from West End professionals.”
These connections also begin opening doors. “From sound technicians to stage directors,” Quirke adds, “our students are building professional networks now – not ten years from now.”
Confidence beyond the classroom
Perhaps the most powerful outcome of the programme isn’t skill, but self-belief. “What changes a student most isn’t just technique, it’s belief,” Quirke says.
“They learn how to keep their composure under pressure, how to recover from mistakes, and how to connect with audiences, peers, and themselves.”
Victoria Thatcher, whose daughter Aerin now studies at GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis, agrees.
“Transferring our daughter… was the best decision. We no longer need to consider sending her overseas for world-class training.”
Dubai’s creative future takes the stage
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In a world increasingly automated, the performing arts stand as a celebration of what makes us human – and Dubai is rising as a new hub for that expression.
“The Performing Arts Gala… was more than an event,” Quirke reflects. “It reflected the UAE’s growing creative ambition and the power of education to bring it to life.”
With every note sung and every bow taken, GEMS students aren’t just performing – they’re shaping the region’s future.
“They represent the future of performance,” Quirke concludes. “And the future of the region.”
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