The National Ballet of Canada

The National Ballet of Canada The National Ballet of Canada pulls back the curtain.
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One of the top international ballet companies, The National Ballet of Canada was founded in 1951 by Celia Franca. A company of 70 dancers with its own orchestra, the National Ballet has been led by Artistic Director Karen Kain, one of the greatest ballerinas of her generation, since 2005. Renowned for its diverse repertoire, the company performs traditional full-length classics, embraces contempor

ary work and encourages the creation of new ballets as well as the development of Canadian choreographers.

For 75 years, you have been at the heart of every standing ovation, unforgettable performance and shared moment. Join us...
08/07/2026

For 75 years, you have been at the heart of every standing ovation, unforgettable performance and shared moment. Join us as we celebrate our legacy and look ahead with a season featuring timeless classics, bold new works and extraordinary artistry. Here's to the next chapter, together.

The National Ballet of Canada's first prima ballerina, Lois Smith was one of the defining artists of the company's forma...
08/05/2026

The National Ballet of Canada's first prima ballerina, Lois Smith was one of the defining artists of the company's formative years. Joining as a Principal Dancer in 1951, she brought grace, intelligence and dramatic depth to many of the repertoire's most celebrated roles. Her artistry helped establish the National Ballet's reputation for excellence and left an enduring mark on generations of dancers and audiences alike.

We're hittin' the road for our 75th anniversary season! Sharing the Stage will be travelling to Saskatchewan for the fir...
08/03/2026

We're hittin' the road for our 75th anniversary season! Sharing the Stage will be travelling to Saskatchewan for the first time, as Second Soloist Keaton Leier returns to his hometown to curate and perform in a special collaboration with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra. The programme will feature a new work by Keaton alongside performances by fellow National Ballet dancers in selections of company repertoire. Want to learn more? Read our Q&A with Keaton now > https://bit.ly/3Tkq4dI

📸 by Karolina Kuras

07/30/2026

The National Ballet of Canada’s 75th anniversary season is a celebration of extraordinary artistry, unforgettable storytelling and a legacy that has inspired audiences for generations. There has never been a better time to become a Subscriber! What perks do you get?

🎟️ Save up to 50% on regular ticket prices and choose from a wide variety of subscription options.

🎟️ Plans changed? No problem. FREE ticket exchanges make it easy to fit ballet into your life.

🎟️ Enjoy priority seating at the best price.

👏 Experience breathtaking performances throughout our diamond anniversary season.

Explore our curated packages or create your own! Join us and subscribe today > https://bit.ly/4cekQqf

07/29/2026

Built by Many: Grant Heaps, Touring Head of Wardrobe

Meet Grant 👋 He is busy preparing costumes for John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet that opens the 75th anniversary season on October 31. Cranko’s production was first performed by the National Ballet in 1964, with the current set and costume design created by acclaimed Canadian designer Susan Benson in 1995. Watch as Grant explains how these stunning costumes are being restored and take a closer look at the incredible craftmanship that has lasted for over 30 years!

Romeo and Juliet opens our 75th anniversary season, October 31 – November 8. Subscriptions are now on sale > https://bit.ly/450dLFU

Celia Franca believed Canada deserved a world-class ballet company. So she built one. In 1951, Celia founded The Nationa...
07/23/2026

Celia Franca believed Canada deserved a world-class ballet company. So she built one. In 1951, Celia founded The National Ballet of Canada through bold ambition and sheer tenacity. For 24 years, she led the company with passion, determination and an uncompromising artistic vision, standards that still shape and define who we are today.

Our founder. Our visionary. Our first dreamer.

Our dancers are back rehearsing in the studios after a much-needed summer vacation! Here's what they were up to during t...
07/22/2026

Our dancers are back rehearsing in the studios after a much-needed summer vacation! Here's what they were up to during the break:

⭐️ Brenna Flaherty & Kota Sato
We visited our hometowns this summer. In Fujimi City, Japan, we danced an excerpt from An American In Paris where we were invited to meet the mayor of the city Kota grew up in. We then headed to Ogunquit, Maine, enjoying some beach time and lobster rolls! 🦞

⭐️ Heather Ogden & Emma Ouellet
We travelled to Germany to perform Emma Portner’s islands at Hamburg Ballet’s Nijinsky Gala. When we weren't dancing, we were exploring the city! ❤️

⭐️ Genevieve Penn Nabity
I travelled to Switzerland to visit friends and of course, go on hikes and enjoy the gorgeous scenery!🇨🇭

⭐️ Jeannine Haller
I explored the beautiful Yosemite National Park in California! 🌳

⭐️ Selene Guerrero-Trujillo
I travelled to Mexico City with my daughter Luna and we spent our days exploring. I also taught at a dance intensive that I started called LUMINA Dance Intensive! 🩰

07/16/2026

Welcome to The Gretchen Ross Production Centre 👋 This hanger-sized facility is 59,000 sq ft and houses all our sets, tech equipment and costumes. This is where our incredible production team builds, renovates and stores roughly 40 to 50 productions in our repertoire 😱 The National Ballet is built by many, stay tuned for more in-depth videos introducing our talented staff who help bring the magic to the stage!

Just announced, Moisés Martín Cintas joins the company as a Rehearsal Director. Moisés is a ballet professional with ove...
07/07/2026

Just announced, Moisés Martín Cintas joins the company as a Rehearsal Director. Moisés is a ballet professional with over 20 years of international experience as a principal and soloist dancer with San Francisco Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Compañia Nacional de Danza, Atlanta Ballet and Ballet RI, dancing both classical and contemporary repertoire. He has taught at Atlanta Ballet, Ballet RI and Escuela Profesional de Danza “Ana Laguna” in Spain, and brings a wealth of knowledge in performance, coaching, male technique and partnering to his new role. Welcome to Toronto, Moisés!

📸 by Charlie McCullers

Announcing the 2026/27 season dancer roster! Meet the 64 company members and 12 RBC Apprentices who will be performing i...
07/07/2026

Announcing the 2026/27 season dancer roster! Meet the 64 company members and 12 RBC Apprentices who will be performing in the National Ballet's iconic 75th anniversary season.

We are thrilled to welcome First Soloist Sasha Mukhamedov and six new Corps de Ballet members, Tom Cape, Karin Laldjising and João Massei, promoted from the RBC Apprentice Programme, and Lillian Casscells, Jane Park and Alyssa Pratt.

Joining the RBC Apprentice Programme are eight new dancers: Yu Chia Chang, Bryce Cooper, Elias Fahle Diego, Enrico Fasoglio, Monet Hilliard, Melia Lin, Alexander Stevens and Leanne van der Hilst.

We are pleased to welcome Timothy van Poucke and Shale Wagman as guest artists. Timothy, a Principal Dancer with Dutch National Ballet and one of the Netherlands’ most acclaimed ballet artists, will guest in the world premiere of The National Ballet of Canada Resident Choreographer David Dawson’s The Beginning of Forever and dance the role of Prince Florimund in Rudolf Nureyev’s The Sleeping Beauty. Toronto-born Shale Wagman makes his highly anticipated hometown debut. The internationally acclaimed Paris Opera Ballet dancer will appear as a guest artist in the role of Prince Florimund in Rudolf Nureyev’s The Sleeping Beauty. Stay tuned for more information!

Meet The National Ballet of Canada's dancers> bit.ly/4grnvA4

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145 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON
M5H4G1

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+14163459595

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