About The National Ballet of Canada

Overview

Established as a classical company by founder Celia Franca in 1951, it is the only Canadian ballet company to present a full range of traditional full-length classics. The company's repertoire includes works by Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, John Cranko, William Forsythe, James Kudelka, Jirí Kylián, John Neumeier, Rudolf Nureyev, Glen Tetley, Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor and Alexei Ratmansky. In addition to its classical repertoire, the company also embraces contemporary works and encourages the creation of new ballets and the development of Canadian choreographers.

Canada's premier dance company has performed for over 10 million people. The National Ballet performs annual Fall, Winter and Summer seasons plus The Nutcracker. The company has toured in Canada and the United States, and throughout the world including performances in Great Britain, Germany, The Netherlands, Israel, Hong Kong, Japan, Italy and Mexico.

To learn more about the history of the company visit our Virtual Museum.

Selected Quotes

"Company of the Year: The National Ballet of Canada. How smart is artistic director Karen Kain? Delivering two original superhits by red-hot choreographers – Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Alexei Ratmansky’s Romeo and Juliet – in the same calendar year was an incredible feat. Not only were both shows box-office champions; they have opened the door to international touring. Now the National, ballet’s best-kept secret, will get the worldwide profile it deserves.”
- The Globe and Mail, 2011

“A triumph for Kain and company… one of those moments that defined the company's history”
 - The Montreal Gazette on Romeo and Juliet, 2011

“The National’s current crop of dancers are not just good, they’re superb.” 
 - The National Post, 2011

"The National Ballet of Canada is a beautiful company, full of young talent and old wisdom… The future of The National Ballet of Canada is in wonderful hands and I am sure we will be hearing a lot from them in the international arena again." 
- Dancing Times,2010

“Karen Kain… [raised] the standard of classical dancing and [offering] opportunities to a range of promising outside choreographers.” 
  - Dancing Times, 2010

“when it comes to the National Ballet of Canada, too much of a good thing is a very good thing indeed.”
- Toronto Sun, 2009

“Kain made a principled, fearless and crucial strategic investment in the National Ballet’s artistic future, one she should be justly proud and should soon repeat”
 - Dance International, 2009 

Awards & Nominations