Welcome to stages
Stages is an ensemble of actors, writers, directors, teachers and designers. Stages was founded in 2000 with the objective of producing and promoting high quality, cutting-edge, original Sri Lankan theatre.
Excellence in PRODUCTIONS
We believe all Sri Lankans have the right to access high quality art. And so, we pursue excellence in our creative work and strive to make it accessible to all audiences.
Investment in ARTIST DEVELOPMENT
We know artists are integral to a healthy society.
And so, we work to sustain and improve the arts industry in Sri Lanka, supporting and challenging local artists to do the same.
Building up COMMUNITY
We want Sri Lankan children to have the right to a career in the arts.
And so, we are building the next generation of artists in Sri Lanka, providing them with the opportunities, networks and skills we never inherited as artists.
Solidarity through ACTIVISM
We believe that artists need to be ready to respond to urgent crises, challenges and changes that take place around them.
And so we respond to things that disturb the balance in the society and stand in solidarity with the afflicted.
New Youth Ensemble Play
The Stages Youth Ensemble will be performing its newest original play, Katawaha, in late August 2025. Inspired by the real-life stories of two of its members, it brings to the stage issues rarely discussed openly in Sri Lanka. The play will be performed in both English and Sinhala.
What’s On?
OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Ruwanthie de Chickera is an award winning playwright, screenwriter, theatre director, actor trainer and cultural activist. She is the founder and artistic director of Stages Theatre Group. She has written and directed over 30 original plays and two screen plays. The first play she wrote, at the age of 19, won her international recognition and pivoted her into Sri Lankan theatre. Her first film, ‘Machan’, is recognized as a watershed moment in Sri Lankan cinema, it has won several international and local awards and was screened in over 50 countries.
Productions
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Dear Children... Sincerely: Seven Decades of Sri Lanka
(2016-2019, 2024)
A Stages ensemble performance examining seventy years of Sri Lankan history.
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![Patterns of our Genocides]()
Patterns of our Genocides
(2024)
A dramatized performance of a poignant and devastating love letter written by a young Rohingyan refugee to a friend trapped in Gaza.
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![The Children of the Little Olive Park]()
The Children of the Little Olive Park
(2024)
A simple modern-day parable detailing how the Palestinian/Israeli conflict began and why it remains unresolved.
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![What a Wonderful Day]()
What a Wonderful Day
(2024)
Maali wants to buy some rope and be done.
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Ken B. Eniwan's Story
(2023)
What pushes us forward? Our fear or our faith? And what holds us back? Our faith or our fear? -
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PING!
(2023)
Our Youth Ensemble’s maiden production PING! deals with contemporary youth issues such as digital dependence, deteriorating mental health, changing family dynamics and the growing disconnect between generations. -
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Awa | Kaawa | Giya : An Anthology on Migration
(2022)
A play about all the comings and goings (and going-ons) in this little island nation. -
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Dear Children... Sincerely: Monologues
(2016 - 2020)
Some monologues reflect the lives of prominent, public personalities; others, the lives of lesser known people.
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Ovaryacting!
(2019)
A play that shames period shaming
Directed by Piumi Wijesundara and performed by the students of Methodist College, Colombo.
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Thought Curfew
(2018)
How entire communities are rendered unthinking in a moment?
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Love & Other Objects
(2018)
A play about love in 13 letters.
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The Certificate
(2017)
A monologue by a stateless child
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Girls at Checkpoints
(2017)
Wars are dotted by checkpoints… and women’s secrets.
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The Syrian Monologues
(2016)
A response to an international artist call from ASHTAR Theatre, Palestine In collaboration with Mind Adventures Theatre Company, Colombo.
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Dear Children... Sincerely: Rwanda - Sri Lanka Collaboration
(2015)
A Stages ensemble performance examining seventy years of history, in collaboration with Mashirika Performing Arts & Media Company, Rwanda.
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Grease Yaka
(2014)
A devised play created in collaboration with Ananda Drama, that looks at the creation, manipulation and spread of social phobia through the strange Sri Lankan phenomenon, the infamous Grease Yaka (Grease Daemon).
This play was directed by Ruwanthie de Chickera and was performed at the Lionel Wendt Theatre in August 2014.
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Walking Path
(2014)
A play without words.
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Kalumaali
(2012)
A fairy tale for grown-ups.
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Cast as Mother
(2012)
Thirteen actresses from the English and Sinhala stage read and performed pieces on the subject of being an artist mother.
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Production Archive
Take a look at our early productions!
