Curtain Raiser: Gear up for a night of pure imagination

There is a quiet restlessness in the air at Apeejay’s IB School, Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park, as the school community prepares for its grand annual musical. The school has always treated creative work as something alive rather than ornamental, and that spirit is easy to notice this season. The team is shaping Peter Pan-Journey to Neverland for its December showcase, and the anticipation feels as if it has been gathering in the corridors for weeks.

The early days of preparation carried their own charm. Children moved between rehearsals with a mixture of excitement and nerves. Some worked through lines they had almost mastered but wanted to settle more firmly in their memory. Others studied how their movements would sit within the light and space of the stage. A group shaped a lively pirate sequence together, working to find their timing as an ensemble, while another group explored the quieter rhythm of a scene that needed more breath.

These moments revealed the school’s belief that creative work builds a wide range of skills. The students learn to listen, to collaborate, to observe the mechanics of stagecraft, and to trust themselves as they shape characters through movement, voice, and intention. The learning grows quietly but stays with them long after the performance ends.

The backstage spaces tell another story. Facilitators sit with sketches and fabric swatches, adjusting colours until a small piece of Neverland begins to appear. Props shift through several versions before they feel right. Set pieces are tested patiently. Costumes move from early ideas to forms that carry the mood of the story. The children watch this world being built around them and slowly understand how each fragment supports the whole. It reflects a long-standing creative tradition at the school, shaped not by haste but by steady, thoughtful work.

As rehearsals deepen, the production has started to carry its own pulse. The flight sequence has taken shape after many attempts. The mermaids have discovered a flow that suits their scene. The pirates have grown more confident in their movements. Each part of the story sits in a different corner of the campus, yet all of it is drawing slowly toward the stage.

What stands out is the sincerity with which the students inhabit their roles. They bring their understanding of courage, curiosity, and mischief to the characters. Their teachers guide them gently, allowing space for exploration while keeping the work anchored. This balance creates a performance that feels honest rather than ornamental.

The audience will walk into a world shaped by many hands and minds. It promises an evening filled with movement, colour, and a sense of discovery. The heart of the story remains simple. Hold on to the wonder that once felt natural. Let it return for a moment. Let it remind you of the thrill of stepping into the unknown.

The curtain has not lifted yet, but Neverland is already waiting. Let’s step into it together on December 20, 2025.