When it comes to the holidays for many young girls, visions of graceful ballerinas dance in their heads.
Nine-year-old Kayla is no different, except that her wish to join those beautiful, delicate dancers on stage recently came true. Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Eastern Virginia and the inspiring generosity of Virginia Ballet Theatre, Kayla was given a role in a matinee performance of “The Nutcracker” presented by the dance company.
The wonderful opportunity completed a great wish adventure for Kayla. She uses a wheelchair and walker to get around but has always been fascinated by ballet and the dancers who perform its intricate movements.
The Make-A-Wish® chapter began her wish to become a ballerina by arranging for her to take dance lessons at a local studio. But before she could take her moment in the spotlight at a recital, Kayla broke her hip.
She eventually healed, and the Foundation approached Virginia Ballet Theatre about providing tickets to Kayla and her family to attend a performance.
Hearing about Kayla’s story, Artistic Director Frank Bove sprung into action. He created roles in “The Nutcracker” for Kayla as a special friend of lead character Clara and for her father as a butler, so that he could bring Kayla on stage.
The afternoon of her performance, Kayla received another cool treat at the pre-event Sugarplum Fairy Tea, where she was the guest of honor with “The Nutcracker” dancers.
Then Kayla was ready for her ballet debut. She was dressed in a beautiful party dress and her wheelchair was given a special “antique” look. Kayla’s father brought her out for her role, as a child receiving a present in the Christmas party scene. After her charming performance, Kayla watched the rest of the show from backstage.
When the cast, including Kayla, took its curtain call after the show, she was presented with flowers by Bove.
For Kayla and her family, the performance completed an unforgettable wish.
“We will treasure forever our memories of Kayla’s experiences on stage and behind the scenes with Virginia Ballet Theatre,” her father later wrote. “To be sure, Kayla’s participation in ‘The Nutcracker’…has been a wish come true.”
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You look so adorable in that outfit, Kayla. I'm glad your wish could come true - I bet you were a wonderful ballerina!
- Danielle 01/21/2007 21:45 -
I'm so glad that you got your wish, Kayla! You look amazing in that outfit! Keep fighting, Kayla!
- Emily 07/02/2007 11:30 -
Hi, I am Charlotte's Dad, and my daughter is 6 years old. She has SMA type 2 Muscular Dystrophy, and she wants to be a ballerina so bad, however, she is in a wheelchair and cannot walk or even stand or crawl. I wish for her that there was a place down here where they had ballerina lessons. You got a very special wish, one that I know how much you and your father enjoyed, because I can relate. God bless, and someday you two girls will be on stage together.
Love, James and Teresa Sherwood.
- Charlotte Sherwood 05/10/2007 11:26 -
Bravo Kayla! You were definitely the princess of the performance, and a beautiful one too! God Bless You!!
- Christine 04/12/2007 17:24 -
Kayla, You make a gorgeous ballerina! Congrats! I think the coolest thing about your wish of getting to be a ballerina is that YOU made so many other people really happy too... because it was fun for them to make you part of their dance. You are special and brave to get up on that stage!! Not everyone has the courage to be up there in front of people!! You really helped the dancers open up their hearts because you inspired them so much. If you think about it, the gift wasn't the one you GOT--it was the one you GAVE. You're beautiful!!
- Alex 01/06/2008 14:34 -
OH Kayla! You look so beautiful in that pretty blue dress!! I am glad that you wish to be a ballerina, i want to be one too! Maybe I'll see you on stage some time? You are so cute and you look like a sweet girl, I wish I was there in Eastern Virginia to see you dance on that stage!! Have fun and always follow your heart!! Stay strong, and I'll always be there for you!!!
- Davin 11/09/2007 21:38 -
Hello Kayla, My name is Brianna! I think you are a beautiful ballerina. That sounds like so much fun being in the nutcracker!! I'm sure you had a blast. :) One of my good friends Chelsey was in the nutcracker! She was a snowflake, angel and a Russian variation. Well god bless you.... Your friend Brianna
- Brianna 03/14/2007 5:02 -
What a lovely ballerina! I'm one myself and I'm sure Kayla was wonderful on stage. :)
- Juliet 08/21/2008 21:26
