Karen Kain News

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the casting for Physical Thinking, an all William Forsythe programme featuring the company premieres of The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude and Approximate Sonata 2016, with the return of The Second Detail.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the repertoire for MAD HOT BALLET: Desert Dream. The company's annual million-dollar fundraising gala takes place on June 12, 2019 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. 

Karen Kain, Artistic Director, and Barry Hughson, Executive Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that a record-breaking number of 24,000 students across Canada will tune in to experience a performance of YOU dance, the company's signature education and outreach programme, on May 15, 2019 live from Daniels Spectrum in Toronto's Regent Park. The livestream is part of YOU dance's fifth residency in Regent Park which takes place May 13 - 16, 2019.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada and Barry Hughson, Executive Director today announced that the company's largest campaign to date, Soaring: The Campaign for The National Ballet of Canada, has raised $98 million in donations and pledges towards its $100 million goal in creative capital.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that the company's annual fundraising gala MAD HOT BALLET: Desert Dream will take place on June 12, 2019 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that Siphesihle November, 20, of The National Ballet of Canada and Catherine Hurlin, 23, of American Ballet Theatre are the winners of The International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize. The competition took place last night at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto. Each dancer receives a cash prize of $7,500 and a sculpture by Jack Culiner. Kristian Lever from The Hamburg Ballet is the winner of the Choreographic Prize for his specially commissioned work, An intimate distance and also receives a sculpture by Jack Culiner and a cash prize of $2,500.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the repertoire for The International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize which will take place on Saturday, March 23, 2019 in Toronto at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. #BruhnPrize

The Board of Directors of The National Ballet of Canada announced today that Executive Director Barry Hughson's contract has been renewed for a five-year term. Mr. Hughson joined The National Ballet of Canada in 2014, and in partnership with Artistic Director Karen Kain, has accelerated the company's trajectory of artistic growth, fiscal responsibility, community engagement, and international acclaim, including landmark tours to New York City's Lincoln Center, Theatre des Champs Elysees in Paris and the Mariinsky and Stanislavsky Theatres in St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia.

The National Ballet of Canada mourns the passing of Board Member, volunteer, philanthropist and friend Sandra Faire. A trailblazer and legend in the ballet and greater dance community, Ms. Faire possessed an inspiring vision, passion and determination in all that she did.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the principal casting for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by acclaimed British choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. Having performed to sold-out houses in London, New York City, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Toronto, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland returns to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts March 7-17, 2019.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the principal casting for the winter mixed programme of George Balanchine's Apollo, the Canadian premiere of Night by Julia Adam, Choreographic Associate Robert Binet's The Sea Above, The Sky Below and a new adaptation of Paquita by Associate Artistic Director Christopher Stowell. The programme opens the company's Winter Season and is onstage March 1 - 3 & March 20 - 21, 2019. 

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that she will direct and stage a new Swan Lake for the 2019/20 season in celebration of her 50th anniversary with the company. Along with the world premiere of Swan Lake, the milestone season will feature world premieres by Crystal Pite and Robert Binet, three company premieres and the appointment of Alysa Pires as Choreographic Associate. #1920SeasonNBC

Karen Kain to become the first Canadian to be honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award, celebrating her 50 years with The National Ballet of Canada

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.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that after 41 years of service, Receptionist Seta Nigoghossian retires from the company. Ms. Nigoghossian's final day at the National Ballet will be February 1, 2019.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that Corps de Ballet members Jeannine Haller (22) and Siphesihle November (20) will represent the company at The Thirteenth International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 7:30 pm at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Choreographic Workshop alumna Alysa Pires creates a new contemporary work commissioned by the National Ballet for the choreographic prize. #BruhnPrize

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, and Barry Hughson, Executive Director, today announced that the company returns to the National Arts Centre, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary season. The National Ballet will perform a triple bill featuring Justin Peck's Paz de la Jolla, George Balanchine's Apollo and Frederick Ashton's The Dream, onstage January 31 February 2, 2019. #NBOConTour

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada announced today that after 24 years of service, Wardrobe Supervisor Marjory Fielding is retiring from the National Ballet. Ms. Fielding's final day at the National Ballet will be January 11, 2019.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada and Barry Hughson, Executive Director today announced that all performances of The Nutcracker are completely sold out with a record-breaking box office of $4.5 million and 52,685 attending the holiday favourite. 

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada today announced the lineup of Cannon Dolls for The Nutcracker. This year's list of headliners include Toronto Maple Leafs players, members of ARKELLS and author Emma Donoghue. The holiday favourite has a long-standing tradition of inviting Canadian luminaries and personalities to appear onstage in the guest roles with nearly 1,100 notable personalities making cameo appearances onstage to date.