This December, the stage at Bishop’s College Auditorium will glow with imagination, hard work, and the unmistakable magic of Christmas as The Ballet School of Colombo presents its annual Christmas production and prize giving on 20th December 2025. The first half of the evening will be performed by the school’s junior students, taking audiences on a charming and whimsical journey through Santa’s workshop, where the spirit of Christmas brings toys to life. Filled with colour, imagination, and youthful energy, the production captures the joy and wonder of the season through ballet, movement, and storytelling.
This annual Christmas Ballet has become a highlight on the school’s calendar, showcasing not only technical ability but also creativity, teamwork, and confidence developed through months of dedicated rehearsals. With over 200 students involved across age groups and disciplines, the production reflects the scale and collaborative spirit of The Ballet School of Colombo. Among the many characters that animate Santa’s workshop are unicorns, sailor dolls, fairy dolls, elves, and cultural dolls, each portrayed with care and enthusiasm by the young performers.
“I am a toy unicorn. I love my role because it inspires little girls. I am excited for the audience to see my performance with delight and appreciation. My favourite part of rehearsals is when me and my class does our Coda. Thinuli Jayasinghe (Main Unicorn)
“I am a sailor doll girl, and I love my dance because it is really fun. I am excited for the audience to see when I am sailing in my boat. My favourite part of rehearsals is seeing my friends who are in other classes.” Marnie Wijemanne (Sailor Doll)
The production also highlights more technically demanding roles, including pointe work, offering senior students the opportunity to demonstrate their growth as dancers while sharing the stage with younger performers.
“My character is a magical Fairy Doll that wakes up on stage. What I love about my role is that I get to dance alongside the little kids which makes my dance more joyful. I also love that I have to dance in a beautiful costume which makes the role extra special and fun. I can't wait for the audience to see me dancing on pointe for this role. It feels so much more special than any other role I have done. It is exciting to perform something that I have worked hard on. My favorite part of rehearsals has been spending time with my friends and working together as a team. I love that I get to improve and get used to dancing on stage.” Nelinsa Wijenayake (Main Fairy Doll)
Cultural diversity and theatrical storytelling are also woven into the ballet, adding depth and variety to the performance.
“My role in the Christmas concert is a toy that Santa has made in his workshop, a Chinese doll. I like that my role has a solo bit in it. And how I get to go on stage in the beginning with a few others and pretend we are actually dolls while the others do their dances. I am most excited for the audience to see us dancing and enjoy what they are seeing and to engage in the Christmas magic of ballet. My favourite part of rehearsals is when my group gets to perform our dance in front of the class.” Kayley Wijesuriya (Chinese Doll)
Behind the scenes, the preparation for a production of this scale requires careful planning, coordination, and teamwork among teachers, students, and parents alike.
“Managing over 200 dancers, especially young ones, requires dynamic, highly structured scheduling and staggered rehearsals, making it a massive collaborative effort across the entire school. However, the sheer, infectious enthusiasm of the students is the primary fuel for this year’s show. We hope students will develop crucial life skills, including teamwork, persistence, and building self-confidence from performing on stage. They also gain necessary resilience by learning to adapt when things go wrong. The main challenge is maintaining synchronization and engagement across a wide range of ages and communicating with both the youngest and oldest dancers. The biggest joy is the ‘A-ha!’ moment in the final run-through when their hard work pays off, leading to an undeniable boost in their confidence and stage presence right as we get ready for the show.” Romina Gyi
“Preparation for a show like this has been challenging in a good way. When it comes to performance, talent is one thing, but it’s more about hard work and consistency. Keeping the kids in premium shape and mindset has been the challenge amidst everything else they are doing but will be worth it in the end. It’s been interesting to see kids come in from various performance backgrounds and have to push themselves beyond their comfort zone to perform. We are dealing with a generation that have a shorter attention span than we did, as technology and social media advances, so I hope they take away that when it comes to performance and this art form, you have to be patient and put in the work to be better and great at what you do; it’s not about quick results. I know this will truly help them in the long run. The biggest challenge has been time, especially when you have an array of performance levels in the same class; we want to make sure everyone is able to come to the same bar. But with that comes the greatest joy, in seeing how hard some of them put in the work to really get to a place where they are performance ready AND, having fun in the process.” Rajeev Colton
In addition to the Christmas Ballet, the evening will also feature The Ballet School of Colombo’s Annual Prize Giving, where students will be awarded certificates, awards, and scholarships for their achievements in Classical Ballet, Modern Jazz, Tap, and Theatrical & Performing Arts examinations. This segment recognizes both artistic excellence and commitment to learning.
The event is supported by a strong network of sponsors, including Suren Cooke Agencies, PickMe, Shums Travels, Carekleen, Flip It Media, Tess, Svastha Serene Spa, and Safe Holdings, with Wijeya Newspapers Limited and Amari Colombo partnering the event.
As families, friends, and well-wishers gather this December, the Christmas Ballet promises an evening filled with festive joy, young talent, and heartfelt performances, celebrating not only the magic of Christmas, but the dedication and passion of the next generation of performers.
