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The Christmas Ballet and the Magic Behind the Scenes
This Christmas season, something truly magical tiptoed into town. The Christmas Ballet, presented by The Ballet School of Colombo (TBSC), was brought to life recently at the Bishop’s College Auditorium, and it was nothing short of enchanting. More than just a performance, The Christmas Ballet was a celebration of rhythm and youthful talent. From twinkling costumes to storytelling through movement, the production brings original choreography and beloved ballet classics, all performed by dancers aged 3 to 19, each carrying months’ worth of dedication onto the stage. To understand what truly went on behind the curtain, from rehearsals and stage nerves to confident performances, we spoke to members of the cast themselves. Here’s what they had to say...
Nadine Shums – Ballet Teacher
Q What inspired this year’s edition of The Christmas Ballet?
The inspiration came from the kids themselves. Their excitement about Christmas...the letters to Santa, the love for toys, and their endless imagination—made Santa’s Workshop come alive. We simply built a world around their magic.
Q If you were to tell the story of this year’s rehearsal process, how has the cast adapted and evolved together, from the early uncertain first days to the polished performers they are now?
It’s been an interesting journey! In the first week, we had shy elves, unsure toys, and lots of giggles. Now we have confident little performers who know exactly who their characters are. They’ve learnt to support each other, work hard, and perform as a team. Watching that transformation has been one of the best parts of this whole process.
Q As you prepare The Christmas Ballet this year, how do you balance keeping the school’s long-standing traditions alive while still finding new ways to refresh the production?
We hold tight to our roots—classical technique, discipline, and storytelling. But each year, we try new ways to make the show sparkle. New choreography, new characters, and this year, the performing arts students add a whole new burst of personality to the elves’ world.
Q What challenges come with coordinating a performance of this scale while doing so?
The biggest challenge is coordination—rehearsals, costumes, props, music cues… It’s a full Santa’s workshop behind the scenes! But it’s also where our teachers, interns, and students shine the most.
Q What are you most excited for the audience to notice this year?
The joy. The energy. The way the kids completely become their characters. Every toy, every elf, every tiny dancer has a moment that will melt hearts. We can’t wait for the audience to feel the Christmas spirit that these children have poured into the stage.
Kyra Wafa - Teacher/Backstage Crew
Q What inspired this year’s edition of The Christmas Ballet?
While the broader idea was initially to share the magic of Christmas, the theme for this year’s show was “Santa’s workshop”, so many of the dance ideas stem from that, from Santa’s elves to the Christmas spirit that brings the little toys to life in the workshop.
Q How do you help dancers stay calm and ready before going on stage?
After months of practice, there’s not much practising and few corrections to be made, so we hype them up and get them excited to stand on the stage in front of an audience. We also try to keep calm and get them on their sides for their entrances early, so they aren’t unnecessarily stressed and are ready to go onto the stage on time.
q What is the most beautifully difficult part of preparing a Christmas ballet?
Working with children of all ages. While seeing four-year-olds and fifteen-year-olds standing on the same stage definitely says a lot about unity and the spirit of Christmas, it’s difficult to make sure the youngest children do their dances properly without getting distracted in a new environment around a lot of new people, and, of course, so many sparkly costumes. So until they come off the stage, we are on our toes, directing, pointing and doing their dances from the wings in case they forget their moves.
Q Is there a particular detail you wish the audience paid more attention to…? Maybe something subtle or easy to miss but significant?
I hope the audience notices how we try to make each dance flow from one to another, so it feels less like they’re watching different performances and more like they’re watching a story come to life.
Q What are you most excited for the audience to notice this year?
The sheer joy that the kids experience after perfecting their steps, months of practice and shouted corrections. Everyone truly brought every single character to life, and I think everyone especially enjoyed their roles this year, so hopefully everyone watching feels their infectious energy!
Udamsha Jayasooriya - Backstage Crew
Q How do you help dancers stay calm and ready before going on stage?
By keeping the backstage area quiet and steady. We give clear cues, fix any last-minute needs, and reassure them so they feel ready to step on stage.
Q What backstage detail should the audience pay attention to when they watch?
How smoothly the backstage details run...like lighting changes, prop placements, and quick scene shifts, plays a key role in making the entire performance look professional and seamless.
Q What is the most beautifully difficult part of preparing a Christmas ballet?
Perfecting the timing and harmony of every dancer. Holiday ballets need extra emotion and storytelling to feel magical. Balancing long rehearsals with keeping the festive spirit alive is challenging but rewarding.
Q Is there a particular detail you wish the audience paid more attention to…? Maybe something subtle or easy to miss but significant?
I wish the audience noticed the subtle details, like the quiet coordination during transitions. Small movements, spacing, and unspoken teamwork make the performance look effortless.
Q What are you most excited for the audience to notice this year?
The small expressions and gestures of the dancers. These subtle details add emotion and depth to the story. They make the performance more engaging and memorable.
BALLET DANCE PERFORMERS
Q1 What do you enjoy most about being part of The Christmas Ballet this year? And what’s meaningful or exciting about it when looking back at this year’s journey?
Q2 What is the first memory that comes to mind when you think about this year’s rehearsals for The Christmas Ballet?
Q3 What is the most challenging part of preparing for this performance?
Q4 What are you most excited for the audience to notice this year?
Q5 If The Christmas Ballet were a person, what personality would it have?
Teyali Rodrigo - Dance Performer
I feel like I am an actual teddy bear in Santa’s workshop. I learnt fun ballerina steps and made new friends.
The day we were put into groups, I was so happy to know I’m going to be a teddy bear. Teddies are my favourite. They are soft and cuddly.
I used them to flex my toes while doing the fan kicks. My teacher had to remind me many times.
I want the audience to notice how my teddy bear friend does a handstand. She does it really well.
It’s fun and sparkly and spreads a lot of joy and happiness, just like Santa.
Manuka Fernando - Dance Performer
I love the concept and the music of this Christmas ballet. I really enjoy dancing to this remarkable music, as I feel like I’m turning into a real elf with it. For me, this year began with the delight of receiving the scholarship for the results of my CSTD primary ballet examination. So I hope this is a great opportunity for me to showcase the skills and styles that I learnt from TBSC. And I am very excited to come in front of the audience as one of the very few male ballet dancers of Sri Lanka.
The very first moment that I got to dance in new ballet shoes.
The most challenging part is having a track of stage positioning. Also, turning my feet out all the time is very challenging for me.
Performing as one of the very few male ballet dancers in Sri Lanka is very exciting. And also having a furry costume where I feel like sneezing when I’m in it.
It has a joyful personality with sparkling eyes.
Hana Farook - Dance Performer
For this year’s Christmas Ballet, I really enjoyed getting to spend more time with the other dancers; these past few days have really improved our relationship with each other and brought us together.
The first memory that comes to mind when I think about this year’s rehearsals is probably my first concert with the ballet school of Colombo. Ever since that show, we have all been improving on our skills, and I can’t imagine doing this show without the first.
The most challenging part for me was probably coordinating with the other students and balancing my school life and friends with this year’s show.
The most challenging part for me was probably coordinating with the other students and balancing my school life and friends with this year’s show.
I want the audience to notice that I am a dancer and I have improved, and I plan to take this show on the road someday, and it is my first stop.
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