Karen Kain News

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the principal casting for The Nutcracker. Choreographed by James Kudelka, the National Ballet's production is Toronto's favourite holiday tradition and was sold-out for the past two seasons. The Nutcracker is onstage December 9 30, 2017 and tickets are selling fast.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, announces the 2017/18 season lineup of Cannon Dolls featured in The Nutcracker. The holiday favourite has a great tradition of inviting prominent Canadians to appear onstage in the guest roles with over 1,000 notable personalities making cameo appearances onstage to date.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the principal casting for The Nutcracker. Choreographed by James Kudelka, the National Ballet's production is Toronto's favourite holiday tradition and was sold-out for the past two seasons. The Nutcracker is onstage December 9 30, 2017 and tickets are selling fast.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced Dance Mosaic: Canada 150. To celebrate Toronto's vibrant and diverse dance community, several organizations have been invited to attend a special, free performance of The Nutcracker on Friday, December 8 in honour of Canada's 150th anniversary.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the principal casting for Nijinsky by John Neumeier. The company recently returned from a triumphant tour to Paris where audiences leapt to their feet after each performance. Critics hailed Nijinsky as sublime...truly breath-taking (On Sort ou Pas) and a fantastic performance (Kulturkompasset). Nijinsky is onstage November 22 26, 2017 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. #Nijinsky NBC

Karen Kain, Artistic Director and Barry Hughson, Executive Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that the 2016/17 Season was a resounding success, both financially and artistically. The season resulted in the largest grossing box office in the company's history and an operating surplus for the eighth consecutive year. The Annual General Meeting was held today at 6:30 pm at The Walter Carsen Centre for The National Ballet of Canada in Toronto.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada today announced the principal casting for The Winter's Tale by Christopher Wheeldon. A co-production with The Royal Ballet (UK), The Winter's Tale opens the National Ballet's 2017/18 season on November 10, 2017 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that the company's tour to Paris with Nijinsky was a great success.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the principal casting for the company's upcoming tour to Paris with performances of Nijinsky, a ballet by John Neumeier.

Principal Dancer Greta Hodgkinson is currently in Moscow, Russia, coaching dancers of The Bolshoi Ballet for the Russian premiere of Romeo and Juliet by Alexei Ratmansky, November 22 26, 2017 at the Bolshoi Theatre's New Stage.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada announced today that Corps de Ballet member Jimmy Coleman and Apprentice Heather Capen are the recipients of the fifth annual RBC Emerging Artist Apprentice Award for their performances as Apprentices during the 2016/17 season. Mr. Coleman and Ms. Capen each received a $1,000 cash prize. The awards were presented by Artistic Director, YOU dance / Principal Ballet Master Lindsay Fischer, on behalf of RBC Foundation, during the Patrons' Council 2017/18 Season Opening Party in Toronto last night.

The National Ballet of Canada and The Royal Ballet, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, collaborate on a unique performance in London. The Dreamers Ever Leave You by Robert Binet will make its UK premiere at The Printworks, Canada Water in London, October 12 13, 2017 to sold-out audiences. #TheDreamersEverLeaveYouNBC

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the roster for the 2017/18 season.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the principal casting for the company's upcoming tour to Paris with performances of Nijinsky, a ballet by John Neumeier.

Five of the world's leading ballet companies will come together for World Ballet Day on Thursday, October 5 to broadcast 20 hours of live, behind-the-scenes footage via Facebook Live, following a successful partnership with Facebook in 2016.

 Five of the world's leading ballet companies will come together for World Ballet Day on Thursday, October 5 to broadcast 20 hours of live, behind-the-scenes footage via Facebook Live, following a successful partnership with Facebook in 2016.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that Principal Dancer Jurgita Dronina will be a Lead Principal Dancer with English National Ballet in London, England next season. Ms. Dronina will remain with The National Ballet of Canada as Principal Dancer and will be featured in The Winter's Tale, which opens the 2017/18 season, as well as The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced five promotions for the 2017/18 season: Emma Hawes, Hannah Fischer and Brendan Saye to First Soloist and Félix Paquet and Ben Rudisin to Second Soloist.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that MAD HOT BALLET: Northern Lights raised over $1.3 million. The annual fundraising gala took place last night in Toronto at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that special guest Mikhail Baryshnikov will attend this year's annual fundraising gala, MAD HOT BALLET: Northern Lights on June 6, 2017 which celebrates Canada's 150th anniversary.