Bangladesh is set to deepen its cultural ties within the Asia-Pacific region as Professor Dr Israfil Shaheen of the University of Dhaka prepares to take part in one of the most influential gatherings in global theatre education. He will serve as a keynote speaker at the 18th Asia-Pacific Bond of Theatre Schools (APB) Festival and Directors’ Conference 2025, scheduled for November 28 to December 4 next year at the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA).
Professor Shaheen’s participation underscores Bangladesh’s expanding presence in international theatre scholarship, placing a local academic voice at a forum known for shaping regional conversations around performance, research and training. His invitation also arrives during a milestone year for the Shanghai Theatre Academy, which will be marking its 80th anniversary throughout the festival.
Over the week-long event, Professor Shaheen will not only deliver a keynote speech but will also lead a series of masterclasses, seminars, workshops and panel sessions. His contributions will draw on his pioneering work with prison theatre, juvenile correctional programmes and therapeutic theatre practices in mental health settings, fields that highlight theatre’s capacity to support rehabilitation, well-being and social transformation.
Established in 2008 and affiliated with UNESCO-ITI, the Asia-Pacific Bond of Theatre Schools connects leading theatre institutions across the region. Next year’s edition will bring together directors, educators, students and researchers from more than 25 institutions across countries including China, India, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Bangladesh.
STA, one of the founding members, previously hosted the 16th edition of the APB, and its current president, Professor Huang Changyong, serves as the network’s president for the 2023–2025 term.
The 2025 gathering will feature discussions on theatre education, international collaboration and evolving industry challenges, alongside student productions and institutional showcases. Panels on funding, cross-border touring and emerging production models will explore how regional performing arts organisations can adapt to shifting cultural and economic landscapes. A wide range of practical sessions will examine acting techniques, directing strategies, movement work, scenography and stage technologies.
For Bangladesh, Professor Shaheen’s involvement represents a significant step in strengthening the country’s academic and artistic relationships across the Asia-Pacific. His research, rooted in local narratives yet connected to global debates on policy, community engagement and institutional theatre, positions Bangladesh within broader dialogues on the future of performance and its social impact. His presence is expected to open doors for deeper partnerships between Bangladeshi theatre institutions and their regional counterparts.
With the Shanghai Theatre Academy commemorating eight decades of contribution to global theatre arts, the 2025 APB conference is poised to be a landmark edition, one that looks back at a rich legacy while mapping new directions for the region’s vibrant and rapidly evolving performance ecosystem.
