Karen Kain News

Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the 2022/23 season. This will mark Muir’s first full season with the National Ballet.

After 'reconnecting' with audiences this spring at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) has announced the program for the company's return to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E Randolph St) to wrap up its 2021/22 season.

Barry Hughson, Executive Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that Principal Dancer Jillian Vanstone will retire in 2022 after an incredible 22-year career with the company.

Barry Hughson, Executive Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that Sonia Rodriguez will retire as Principal Dancer in 2022 after an outstanding 32-year career with the company. Her farewell performances will be as Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire March 2 – 6, 2022.

The Board of Directors of The National Ballet of Canada today announced that following a two-year international search, Hope Muir has been appointed Artistic Director of the company effective January 1, 2022.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada, today announced that Lindsay Fischer, Artistic Director, YOU dance/Principal Ballet Master, will be joining The Sarasota Ballet in Florida as Assistant Education Director and Principal Company Teacher as of August 1, 2021.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the promotions for the 2021/22 season: Koto Ishihara, Siphesihle November, Tina Pereira, and Ben Rudisin to Principal Dancer, Jeannine Haller and Calley Skalnik to First Soloist and Brenna Flaherty, Noah Parets and Genevieve Penn Nabity to Second Soloist.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the 2021/22 season, marking the company’s 70th anniversary and return to the stage after more than 20 months. It will also be the final season programmed by Ms. Kain before she steps down as Artistic Director on June 30, 2021, as previously announced.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, and Executive Director Barry Hughson today announced that YOU dance, the company's signature education and community engagement programme, will be livestreamed to a record breaking 25,400 students at 500 schools in 200 cities across Canada. During this unprecedented school year, the National Ballet is pleased to offer students the opportunity to experience YOU dance once again.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, and Barry Hughson, Executive Director, today announced that Canadians across the country will be able to enjoy the magic of The Nutcracker this holiday season. In partnership with Cineplex, a special presentation of the beloved classic, previously captured live at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, will be available to stream online on the Cineplex Store and shown at more than 50 Cineplex theatres across Canada from December 4, 2020.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, and Barry Hughson, Executive Director, today announced that the remaining 2020/21 season will be cancelled due to the ongoing uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic and in recognition that a return to large gatherings in the near future is unlikely.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, and Barry Hughson, Executive Director, today announced that the 2019/20 season concluded with a deficit for the first time since 2009, a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Annual General Meeting was held today at 7:00 pm virtually from Toronto.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the 2020/21 season roster which features 62 dancers and 12 RBC Apprentices.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, and Executive Director Barry Hughson today announced that the company will be partnering with Harbourfront Centre and the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) this fall.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, and Executive Director Barry Hughson today announced the launch of the company's virtual season in September with Expansive Dances, three digital premieres created in isolation by Choreographic Associates Robert Binet, Guillaume Côté and Alysa Pires.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, and Executive Director Barry Hughson today announced the cancellation of the 2020/21 Fall Season in November and The Nutcracker in December. Additional updates to the 2020/21 season are announced with performances scheduled to resume onstage in March 2021.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, and Barry Hughson, Executive Director, today announced the cancellation of the June season. The world premiere of Swan Lake, directed and staged by Ms. Kain, originally planned for June 5 to 21, 2020, will take place June 11 to 27, 2021.

Please note, that The National Ballet of Canada has postponed the unveiling of Karen Kain Way, which was scheduled to take place Friday, March 13, 2020 outside the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. A new date for the unveiling will be announced at a later date.

Barry Hughson, Executive Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that the City of Toronto will commemorate Artistic Director Karen Kain's 50th anniversary with the company and her invaluable contribution to the arts in Canada by naming a street in her honour.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, and Barry Hughson, Executive Director, today announced that the world premiere of Angels' Atlas by international choreographic sensation Crystal Pite surpassed box office projections, bringing in over $1 million in ticket sales with 14,528 people in attendance. The highest grossing mixed programme in the company's history since West Side Story Suite in 2007, Angels' Atlas was presented with Wayne McGregor's electrifying Chroma and the company premiere of Marguerite and Armand by Frederick Ashton and received a rapturous response from audiences and critics alike.