Empowering Youth Creativity

Whyteleafe Performing Arts Academy has a history of adapting, learning and engaging with a new world. This time around they are back with a musical production that was written, composed, choreographed and directed through a collective effort of their stellar group of students, teachers and the unwavering support and guidance of their director, Nalaka Swarnathilake.

Swarnathilake added that Art inspires. An unrefuted universal claim that has withstood the test of time. Art inspires people to become an upgraded version of them. The Musical Theater Production – “Dreamers-The Unwritten Pages; A Whyteleafe Musical” comprises of a cast of a 100 performers, the age group is 8 to 16 years. It is a musical, based on a journey of these kids with different interests and talents.

“Our mission has always been to create a platform that will allow our students to summon their inner talents, a space in which they discover their hidden talents and potential. Our vision is to create opportunities by bringing inspiration and motivation to the doorsteps of our students. We want them to be their only comparison and to realise their dreams in a fruitful, fulfilling, un-stressful and wholesome manner,” said Swarnathilake.

First and foremost,the Musical Theater Production is special because it is a production that is run by students entirely. At the epicenter of the musical is the blood, sweat, tears and honest efforts of each and every child involved.

“While a musical of this scale has not been showcased in our island before, I also believe that it is special because I see it as a breakthrough, the first of many more to come. And to have Whyteleafe, its students, teachers and administration to be the ones who create that ripple effect is something that we will cherish as a family.”

Children’s day falls on the 1st of October, and as a team Whyteleafe Performing Arts Academy is of the belief that children need to be celebrated grandly, and if possible on a daily basis. “Every day I am awed by the immense colour and vibrancy that children add to the world. If the world was a canvas, all the interesting hues are the children, and this is an attempt to bring all those colours to the masses. This musical function is an intersection of sorts, where while this is a gift to the children that celebrates them, it is also a gift from them to us to remind us that we have all got a child in us,” added Swarnathilake.

It is a sustainable end project involving a 24 months learning trajectory, featuring 24 original songs and a 2.5 hours running time. This musical is one of its kind. “The purpose of this production is to create a space in which these children can test their dynamics as an actor/actress,as a person with an alter-ego and as a human with intrinsic artistic skill, waiting to be unveiled. This musical is not just about words that were put on a page, but conversations that came to life, ones that would forever give the children the realization that they have so much more in them than they give credit for,” he said.

The Musical Theater Production will be on the 1st of October at Bishop’s college auditorium at 5pm. The tickets can be bought at the Whyteleafe Performing Arts Academy front desk situated in Kohuwala.

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