Aleksandar Antonijevic

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that Greta Hodgkinson's final performances as Principal Dancer will be in Marguerite and Armand, onstage February 29 - March 7. #MargueriteandArmandNBC

Set in a pastoral German village, GISELLE has all the components of a quintessential romantic work. The titular character is a beautiful young woman living with her strict-yet-loving mother (Lorna Geddes). Although a local forester (Piotr Stanczyk) wants to marry her, Giselle has fallen for another man in the village a?" the Count of Silesia, Albrecht (Harrison James), who has donned a disguise to escape the responsibilities of his noble status. When the forester exposes the Count's identity, Giselle goes mad and dies a?" in some productions by suicide, but in this version it seems more likely that a pre-existing heart condition is to blame. She returns as a Wili in the second act to defend Albrecht from the other Wilis and their queen (Heather Ogden), who force men in the woods to dance to their death.

David Macdonald, Chair of the Soaring Campaign, today announced that The National Ballet of Canada's transformational campaign not only realized its potential but exceeded financial expectations, raising over $104 million. Thanks to a community of generous donors, these results will allow the company to continue soaring ever higher.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that Greta Hodgkinson will retire as Principal Dancer in 2020 after a remarkable career that spans 30 years. Ms. Hodgkinson will dance the title role in Giselle and appear in Petite Mort in November as well as The Nutcracker in December. Her final performance as Principal Dancer will be the seminal role of Marguerite in Frederick Ashton's Marguerite and Armand, acquired in her honour by Ms. Kain and the National Ballet, which makes its company premiere during the Winter Season February 29 a?" March 7, 2020.

Making its world debut in the Project: Humanity and Crow's Theatre production, TOWARDS YOUTH brings five different drama classrooms from around the world, transitioning from Toronto to England, Greece, Taiwan, and India. Written by Andrew Kushnir based on his travels with Dr. Kathleen Gallagher to conduct her research on the narratives and cultures within drama classrooms, the play explores how the strains of society trickle into the lives of students.

Andrew Kushnir's latest work, TOWARDS YOUTH: A PLAY ON RADICAL HOPE, made its debut on February 28 at Streetcar Crowsnest's intimate Guloien Theatre. While the final product is a 2-hour examination of drama classrooms from around the world, Kushnir had to facilitate a detailed writing and editing process to bring months of research to the stage.

The National Ballet, under the guidance of its artistic director, the legendary Karen Kain, brought Ottawa a treat this week. Three short ballets, each with a vastly different feel, graced the stage of Southam Hall.

How can a life be described when the only constants are a name and a poem? In Soulpepper's production of ORLANDO, the title character struggles with existentialism and a fixation on death - something that seems to constantly elude them.

The National Ballet of Canada has been named Best Company of the Year by l'Association Professionnelle de la Critique de Theatre, de Musique et de Danse in France for the company's performance of John Neumeier's Nijinsky in October 2017 at Paris' Theatre des Champs-Elysees. The highly prestigious award was announced today at the Grands Prix de la critique ceremony at the Theatre Paris-Villette in Paris.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the principal casting for the company premiere of Justin Peck's Paz de la Jolla, James Kudelka's The Man in Black and Alexander Ekman's Cacti. The Summer Mixed Programme concludes the 2017/18 season, June 16 - 22, 2018 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Tchaikovsky's exquisite score meets Nureyev's exhilarating choreography in a sensational grand ballet experience. The National Ballet of Canada brings back their celebrated production of Tchaikovsky's THE SLEEPING BEAUTY, choreographed by the late Rudolf Nureyev. A dancer himself, Nureyev's creative stamp on the piece expands the already technically challenging choreography originally created by Marius Petipa - adding depth to the Prince's role with variations of amplified difficulty. Even the most ardent ballet critic is sure to be impressed by the extreme athleticism required to dance this production.

The mind is a fascinating, terrifying and often incomprehensible place. The National Ballet of Canada's production of John Neumeier's NIJINSKY explores the mind through the lens of one of the world's most famous ballet dancers, Vaslav Nijinsky. Neumeier's skilled theatricality encompasses the piece, informing the set, costumes and choreography - creating a work of art that is deliriously captivating.

The theme will get under your skin. With some of the most beautiful music ballet has to offer, SWAN LAKE is sure to capture your heart. The National Ballet of Canada is celebrating the 140th anniversary of Tchaikovsky's most iconic ballet with their dark, brooding production designed by Santo Loquasto and Robert Thomson with choreography by James Kudelka. The opening night performance featured ballet's power couple, Heather Ogden and Guillaume Cote. Stunning design meets extraordinary dancing, creating a real-life fairytale on the Four Seasons Centre stage.

No one yells 'Stella!' at the ballet - because they don't have to. John Neumeier's A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, inspired by the Pulitzer Prize winning play by Tennessee Williams, had its National Ballet of Canada premiere on June 3, 2017. The ballet dives deeper into Blanche DuBois' psyche, examining the motivation for her psychological instability. Featuring music by Sergei Prokofiev and Alfred Schnittke, Mr. Neumeier's choreography exposes more vulnerability, fragility and desire than could ever be communicated by words alone. Neumeier's visionary production expands on the context referenced in Williams' play - by showing us more, we feel more.

The National Ballet of Canada is introducing two arts and culture specific workshops for GTA high school students in the Ministry of Education's Specialist High Skills Major programme.

The National Ballet's popular production features dazzling sets, eye-popping costumes, and wondrous choreography.

This past Wednesday, The National Ballet of Canada celebrated their 60th Anniversary with a gala event at The Four Seasons Centre for the Arts. The evening embraced a 'Diamond' theme, with gorgeous tutus on display throughout the centre showcasing designs from all over the world. Guests were invited to watch highlights from the Ballet's impressive repertoire and then had a gala dinner and dance on the stage of the Centre. BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photos from the evening.

On Tuesday June 21st The National Ballet of Canada transformed Toronto's Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts into a MAD HOT Wonderland for their annual fundraising gala. Over 1800 people came out in support of the ballet, and BWW was on hand to capture photos of the spectacular and lavish event.