Sleeping Beauty: Kenyan dancers step into the fairy tale with classical ballet in Nairobi

Sleeping Beauty is a masterpiece set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score and originally choreographed by Marius Petipa — the same legendary partnership behind Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. It is a ballet that tests the strength, artistry, and discipline of any company that dares to perform it.

That a Kenyan-based youth ballet company is mounting this production — complete with full classical choreography, elaborate staging, and professional-level costumes — is a powerful statement about the growth of ballet in East Africa.

A Decade of Building Excellence

Founded by former American professional ballerina Cooper Rust, Dance Centre Kenya has spent over ten years transforming the performing arts landscape in Nairobi.

What began as a small ballet studio has grown into one of East Africa’s most respected classical training institutions, with multiple studio locations across Nairobi, an expanding gymnastics program, and a thriving performance company.

Each year, approximately 250 of DCK’s 500 students sit for internationally recognized Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) examinations, achieving a remarkable 99% pass rate. But DCK is far more than an exam-based school.

“We are not just training dancers to pass exams,” says Rust, Artistic Director of Dance Centre Kenya. “We are building artists — young people who understand discipline, determination, resilience, and excellence. When our dancers step on stage in a ballet like Sleeping Beauty, they are proving that Kenya belongs in the global classical arts conversation.”

Over the years, DCK has presented ambitious full-length productions including Coppélia, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, and annual full-length productions of The Nutcracker, performed with live orchestra.

Why Sleeping Beauty Matters

Unlike shorter mixed-bill performances, Sleeping Beauty demands extraordinary stamina and precision. The ballet is filled with intricate variations, expansive corps de ballet sequences, and technically complex pas de deux.

The Rose Adagio alone — one of the most famous passages in classical ballet — requires exceptional balance, control, and artistry from the dancer portraying Princess Aurora. Elise Gasnault will take on the role, supported by Mercelyno Wafula, Francis Kibe, Davis Obama, and Benji Mudondo.

For audiences, the production offers a sweeping fairy tale told entirely through movement and music. The elegant Lilac Fairy, played by Marije van Binsbergen, counters the evil Carabosse, portrayed by Lavender Orisa, ensuring that Aurora’s destiny ultimately leads to true love’s kiss.

For the dancers, it represents a milestone.

Ephraim Kimani, who performs the role of Prince Désiré, describes the experience as transformative.

“Dancing Prince Désiré has pushed me to a completely new level,” says Kimani. “The role requires strength, elegance, and emotional control. It’s not just about the steps — it’s about telling a story with every movement. Being part of a full-length classical ballet like this makes me feel proud to represent Kenya on stage.”

Junior Company dancers, aged just 7 to 11, also feature prominently, filling the stage as woodland sprites and performing in the beloved Garland Waltz, bringing energy and charm to the production and making it vibrant and accessible for audiences of all ages.

A Kenyan Story of Opportunity

Dance Centre Kenya’s impact extends far beyond the stage.

Through its sister organization, Artists for Africa (A4A), talented dancers from underserved communities receive scholarships, academic support, and structured arts training.

Several alumni have gone on to pursue international opportunities, demonstrating the transformative power of access to quality arts education.

Rust believes productions like Sleeping Beauty are about more than entertainment.

“When audiences buy a ticket, they are not just watching a fairy tale,” she explains. “They are investing in young Kenyan and international artists who have committed themselves to excellence. They are supporting a cultural movement.”

A Production for the Whole Family

Sleeping Beauty is suitable for audiences of all ages. The timeless story of Princess Aurora, the wicked fairy Carabosse, and the triumph of hope over darkness resonates across generations.

Children will delight in the fairy-tale magic and colourful costumes, while adults will appreciate the sophistication of the choreography and Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score.

As Nairobi continues to grow as a regional arts hub, productions like this signal something significant: world-class classical ballet is thriving in Kenya.

Performances take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Braeburn Gitanga Theatre. Tickets are available via KenyaBuzz.

Step into the fairy tale — and witness the continued rise of ballet in East Africa.