Backstage Magic

Selected projects showcasing Shady’s broad experience managing diverse productions: live events, concerts, theatre and more.

Cigarettes After Sex Tribute - SLIK N’ SMOKE

Stage Manager

Lana Del Rey Tribute Band - Brooklyn Babies

Stage Manager

Stage Manager

Threads of Time

Stage Manager

Scenarist

Assistant Stage Manager

The Session

Production Manager

The Last Sip

Assistant Stage Manager

Live Concert

Live Concert

Fashion Show

Dance Show

Theatrical Play

Site-Specific Performance

Live Concert

Stage Manager

Massar Egbari @nileuniversity X El-Sawy Culture Wheel

Live Concert

Stage Manager

Musical Theatre

Badiʾ Al-Rouh - بديع الروح

Stage Manager

Shernobyl : Ibn Osoul

Standup Comedy

The Glass Hour

Stage Manager-On-Book

Theatrical Play

Trio : The Guest

Assistant Stage Manager

Theatrical Play

One World One Community

Stage Manager

Live Event

Shady served as Production Manager on The Session (20–22 Sept 2022), a site-specific immersive performance in Downtown Cairo presented with Dawar for Arts, GIZ and the Ministry of Youth & Sports. He coordinated load-in, set layout and crew positioning, and put in place prop-handling and audience-access protocols to preserve the piece’s intimacy while ensuring performer and audience safety.

As Assistant Stage Manager for Scenarist (Dubai Theatre Festival for Youth, 2024), Shady assisted the stage manager throughout rehearsals and performances, managed props and set changes, and coordinated backstage communications to ensure timely, seamless cues.

As Assistant Stage Manager for the dance production The Last Sip (1–4 February 2025), Shady supported six performances over four days. He managed scene changes and rapid stage resets, ensured accurate prop placement, and maintained a high level of detail and efficiency between performances while working closely with dancers and the backstage team.

As Stage Manager for Threads of Time at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, Shady coordinated backstage logistics for the Academy’s largest-ever fashion show, featuring over 100 costumes and models. He organized changing areas, managed scene changes, oversaw timing cues and coordinated wardrobe flow to ensure seamless transitions throughout the show.

As Stage Manager for One World One Community (June 2025), organised by University of Europe for Applied Sciences Dubai, Shady coordinated technical, artist and venue teams for music and dance pieces and ran the awards logistics. He lined up prizes in running order, double-checked each item, and handed them on cue as the host announced winners, helping the event run smoothly and earning positive feedback.

As Assistant Stage Manager on The Guest at the Sighnaghi International Theater Festival (Georgia), Shady supported rehearsals and performances, managed prop lists and set changes, and coordinated backstage communications to keep each performance running smoothly.

As Stage Manager (on book, show caller) for The Glass Hour, Shady kept the prompt book current, tracking script changes, blocking and cue assignments, and called the show during tech rehearsals and live performances. He coordinated lighting, sound, set changes and backstage props so cues landed cleanly and performers could rely on the run. Shady also kept the team informed, circulating call sheets and schedule updates within 24 hours, ran health and safety checks and led toolbox talks before load-in, and worked closely with assistant stage managers and the production manager to organise backstage flow, manage the props budget and oversee load-in and load-out, stepping in with practical solutions whenever the production needed steady hands.

As Stage Manager for SLIK N’ SMOKE’s Cigarettes After Sex tribute at El Sawy Culture Wheel in Zamalek, Cairo, Shady oversaw stage operations for the concert. He coordinated load-in and load-out, prepared stage and instrument layouts, and made sure the technical team had an accurate copy of the set list. He supported the band through soundcheck and kept the performance on schedule, focusing on artist readiness and smooth stage flow.

As Stage Manager for Brooklyn Babies’ Lana Del Rey tribute, Shady managed stage operations for the concert. He coordinated load-in and load-out, prepared stage and instrument layouts, ensured the technical team had an accurate set list, supported the band during soundcheck, and kept the performance on schedule while prioritising artist readiness and smooth stage flow.

As Stage Manager for 1984, a Radiohead tribute band, Shady managed stage operations for the concert at El Sawy Culture Wheel. He coordinated load-in and load-out, prepared the stage and instrument layout for a full band including drummer, two vocalists, bass guitar, electric guitar and keyboards, and ensured the technical team had the correct set list. Shady also served as the main point of communication between the band and El Sawy Culture Wheel’s operations team, supporting soundcheck and keeping the performance on schedule with a clear, organised stage flow.

As Stage Manager and VIP Area Manager for Massar Egbari’s Summer 2025 concert at Nile University, Shady oversaw stage operations and managed VIP audience logistics for the band’s lighting-bracelet show attended by nearly 5,000 people. He coordinated load-in and load-out, supervised stage and backstage setups, organised VIP access, sightlines and stewarding, and liaised with El Sawy Culturewheel and technical vendors during soundcheck and the performance. His attention to crowd flow, artist readiness and secure VIP handling helped the event run safely and on schedule.

As Stage Manager for Badiʾ Al-Rouh at Al-Ghad Theatre, Shady led backstage operations for a high-profile tribute produced by the National Centre for Theatre, Music and Folklore under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. The production featured a full orchestra and a large, multi-talented cast; Shady coordinated complex load-in and set arrangements, managed entrances and musical cues, and kept wardrobe and stage flow tightly organised. He worked closely with the director Ahmed Shawky and the production team to protect the performance’s pace and musical integrity, ensuring the evening honoured Badiʾ Khairy’s legacy with professionalism and care.

As Stage Manager for Shernobyl: Ibn Osoul (22 August 2025, El Sawy Culture Wheel), Shady ran stage operations for a multi-comedian line-up. He prepared and rotated microphones, managed quick performer changes and backstage readiness, supported acts during soundcheck, and kept the programme moving on time.

As Stage Manager for the DXB Theatre Awards in October 2025 at McGettigan’s JLT, Dubai, Shady coordinated the awards presentation and certificate handovers, worked with MCs on timing and stage handoffs, organised VIP tables allocations and guest movement, and kept the ceremony running on schedule and without disruption.

DXB Theatre Awards

Stage Manager

Awards Ceremony

As Assistant Stage Manager on Women Of Troy at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (academic year 25/26), directed by Clara ElHawa, Shady produced detailed props list and a budget sheet, sourced and fabricated items as needed, and created cue lists for props and scene changes. He also organised a quick-change area to speed performer turnarounds and support smooth scene transitions.

Assistant Stage Manager

Theatrical Play

Women Of Troy - نساء طروادة

As Venue Manager for Pause & Play during World Stage Design 2025, Shady ran the only outdoor venue at the festival, coordinating daily performances from bands and musicals to dance, oud recitals, DJ sets and talks. He managed technical load-ins with L-Acoustics suppliers, organised FOH and lighting crews, coordinated site furniture and vendor logistics, and led assistant venue managers and operators to keep the venue safe, on time and audience-ready.

Festival

Venue Manager

World Stage Design 2025

Shady worked freelance as Stage Manager at Theatre of Digital Arts (TODA), Dubai, on multiple live concerts, including The Jade Experience (Gatsby Jade Night) with a full band and dancers, and shows featuring the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra. He coordinated load-in/load-out, managed costume-change logistics, and acted as the main contact between the TODA producer and the artists.

Stage Manager

Live Concerts

TODA Dubai

World Stage Design 2025 was held in Sharjah from 18 to 25 October 2025. The sixth quadrennial, designer-led exhibition was co-produced by Sharjah Performing Arts Academy and OISTAT and marked the festival’s first edition in the MENA region. The programme brought together designers and companies from around the world for exhibitions, performances and industry events across multiple venues.