Karen Kain News

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has announced the company’s 45th anniversary ‘sapphire’ season: a dynamic mix of world premieres and revivals of company and audience favorites. The 2022/23 Season 45: Sapphire Season begins with HSDC’s fall series Refraction at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance.

Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, have announced that Principal Dancer Evan McKie will depart from The National Ballet of Canada.

Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director, today announced that Principal Artistic Coach Magdalena Popa will retire after 40 years with The National Ballet of Canada at the end of the 2021/22 season. Ms. Popa will remain on as part of the coaching staff as Artistic Advisor.

It’s been nearly two years since the National Ballet of Canada had planned on premiering their new SWAN LAKE, but in this case late is definitely better than never. The stunning new production, directed by former Artistic Director Karen Kain, has finally arrived on the Four Seasons Centre’s stage.  

Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada announced the principal casting for the world premiere of Swan Lake, directed and staged by Karen Kain. The newly imagined production will feature four debuts in the principal roles of Odette/Odile and Prince Siegfried. Get the show's schedule and more here. 

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.