Dance Centre Kenya Opens 2026 with Sleeping Beauty Ballet | Nairobi Theatre

Dance Centre Kenya Opens 2026 with Full-Length Classic Sleeping Beauty

Following its landmark 10th anniversary celebrations, Dance Centre Kenya (DCK) proudly opens 2026 with a full-length production of the classical masterpiece Sleeping Beauty as it’s premiere production in its second decade of ballet-making in East Africa.

Audiences who were captivated by DCK’s previous productions of Cinderella, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, and Coppélia can expect another unforgettable theatrical experience. With its grandeur, technical brilliance, and timeless storytelling, Sleeping Beauty stands as one of the most celebrated works in the classical ballet canon.

Sleeping Beauty was originally choreographed by Marius Petipa, with music composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who also choreographed and composed The Nutcracker. The ballet premiered in 1890 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, and is widely regarded as a defining moment in ballet history. The ballet united lavish spectacle, symphonic music, and refined classical technique in a way that continues to influence productions worldwide, and this is just what you can expect to see on DCK’s stage.

Dance Centre Kenya previously staged Act III of Sleeping Beauty four years ago; however, this marks the company’s first-ever full-length production of the ballet, representing a significant artistic milestone and a testament to the growth of classical ballet in the region. DCK’s Artistic Director Cooper Rust brings a distinctly international perspective to this staging. The choreography draws inspiration from productions in Australia, Russia, Italy, and the United Kingdom, while also incorporating original choreography created specifically for this production. The result is a ballet that honors classical tradition while reflecting the artistic maturity and ambition of ballet in East Africa today.

This production features gorgeous, classical ballet costumes designed and executed by Esmond Fashion School of Paris graduate Audrey Susanto, created exclusively for this production of Sleeping Beauty. The production also includes original sets, designed and brought to life by Kenya Theatre Awards Best Set nominee Joep van Binsbergen, creating a richly imagined and immersive world for the ballet.

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Sleeping Beauty will be performed by the Dance Centre Kenya Ballet Company, a company of more than 80 dancers. The production brings together students from across Dance Centre Kenya’s programs in a unified artistic vision. The company reflects the remarkable diversity of Kenya, and embodies DCK’s long-standing commitment to providing high-quality ballet training and performance opportunities to children and young people from a wide range of backgrounds.

Performances will take place at Braeburn Theatre on:

Friday, March 6 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 7 at 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 8 at 12:00 PM and 4:30 PM