Media Release
A New Generation of Romeo and Juliet
Casting Announced for John Cranko’s Celebrated Work
Onstage October 31 – November 8
October 19, 2026… Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, announces the casting for John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet which opens the company’s landmark 75th anniversary season at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, October 31 – November 8, 2026.
This season marks several exciting debuts in lead roles. Second Soloist Isabella Kinch and Corps de Ballet members Connor Hamilton and Keira Sandford make their debuts as Juliet and making their company debuts are Principal Dancers Beckanne Sisk and Agnes Su.
Debuting as Romeo are Principal Dancers Christopher Gerty, Larkin Miller and Ben Rudisin and Corps de Ballet members Aidan Tully and Oliver Yonick.
Principal Dancer Heather Ogden will make her debut as Lady Capulet in her farewell season with the company and Artistic Director Hope Muir joins the company on stage for the first time to perform the Nurse.
Former Music Director Ormsby Wilkins returns for the company's 75th anniversary season to guest conduct select performances of Romeo and Juliet. He joins Music Director and Principal Conductor David Briskin and Conductor Julian Pellicano who also conduct this signature work.
First performed by The National Ballet of Canada in 1964, Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet has played a defining role in the company’s artistic development. The National Ballet was the first company in North America to perform the celebrated production, which has provided generations of dancers with opportunities to develop their dramatic artistry through some of ballet’s most demanding and memorable roles.
One of ballet’s great storytellers, Cranko created Romeo and Juliet for Stuttgart Ballet in 1962, crafting a work celebrated for its rich characterization, dramatic depth and musicality, set to Sergei Prokofiev’s glorious score. The production was beautifully redesigned in 1995 with sets and costumes designed by Canada’s Susan Benson, C.M. and lighting by Robert Thomson.
The 75th anniversary season begins October 31 at 1:00 pm with a special Share the Magic matinee of Romeo and Juliet, welcoming more than 1,800 community members experiencing challenging circumstances to attend a National Ballet performance at no cost. Since its inception in 1986, Share the Magic has brought the joy of dance to nearly 120,000 audience members through partnerships with social service and health support agencies throughout the GTA.
That evening, the National Ballet presents a special 75th Anniversary Opening Night Celebration of Romeo and Juliet, honouring the company’s enduring legacy and bold ambition with an evening of dance, memories and celebration with alumni, members of the company and audience members.
Casting for Romeo and Juliet
Juliet
Isabella Kinch (Oct 31, Nov 4 at 7:30 pm, Nov 8 at 2:00 pm)
Agnes Su (Nov 1 at 2:00 pm, Nov 7 at 7:30 pm)
Keira Sanford (Nov 5 at 2:00 pm)
Beckanne Sisk (Nov 3, 6 at 7:30 pm)
TBC (Nov 5 at 7:30 pm)
Connor Hamilton (Nov 7 at 2:00 pm)
Romeo
Oliver Yonick (Oct 31, Nov 4 at 7:30 pm, Nov 8 at 2:00 pm)
Ben Rudisin (Nov 1 at 2:00 pm, Nov 7 at 7:30 pm)
Aidan Tully (Nov 5 at 2:00 pm)
Larkin Miller (Nov 3, 6 at 7:30 pm)
Christopher Gerty (Nov 5 at 7:30 pm, Nov 7 at 2:00 pm)
Mercutio
Donald Thom (Oct 31, 4, 7 at 7:30 pm, Nov 1, 8 at 2:30 pm
Kota Sato (Nov 5 at 2:00 pm)
Spencer Hack (Nov 3, 6 at 7:30 pm)
Luiz Anselmo (Nov 5 at 7:30 pm, Nov 7 at 2:00 pm)
Benvolio
Tom Cape (Oct 31, Nov 4, 7 at 7:30 pm, Nov 1, 8 at 2:00 pm)
David Preciado (Nov 5 at 2:00 pm)
Noah Parets (Nov 3, 6 at 7:30 pm)
Hamish Lowe (Nov 5 at 7:30 pm, Nov 7 at 2:00 pm)
Tybalt
Ben Rudisin (Oct 31, Nov 4 at 7:30 pm, Nov 8 at 2:00 pm)
Chase O'Connell (Nov 1 at 2:00 pm, Nov 7 at 7:30 pm)
Shaakir Muhammad (Nov 5 at 2:00 pm)
Peng-Fei Jiang (Nov 3, 5, 6 at 7:30 pm, Nov 7 at 2:00 pm)
Paris
Chase O'Connell (Oct 31, Nov 4, 5 at 7:30 pm, Nov 7, 8 at 2:00 pm)
Keaton Leier (Nov 1, 7 at 7:30 pm)
Isaac Wright (Nov 5 at 2:00 pm)
Josh Hall (Nov 3, 6 at 7:30 pm)
Lord Capulet
Patrick Lavoie
Lady Capulet
Heather Ogden (Oct 31, Nov 3, 4, 6, 7 at 7:30 pm, November 1, 8 at 2:00 pm)
Svetlana Lunkina (Nov 5, 7 at 2:00 pm, Nov 5 at 7:30 pm)
Nurse
Hope Muir (Nov 3, 6 at 7:30 pm, Nov 5, 8 at 2:00 pm)
Stephanie Hutchison (Oct 31, Nov 4, 5, 7 at 7:30 pm, Nov 1, 7 at 2:00 pm)
Romeo and Juliet is onstage October 31 – November 8, 2026 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available at national.ballet.ca.
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Romeo and Juliet Trailer
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Romeo and Juliet: The Cranko Legacy
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2026/27 Season Sponsor: BMO
This production of Romeo and Juliet entered the repertoire of The National Ballet of Canada on February 8, 1995 and was entirely underwritten by Walter Carsen, O.C.
Lead philanthropic support for the revitalization of Romeo and Juliet (2027) is provided by Mary & John Crocker and Laura Dinner & Richard Rooney, O.Ont.
Christopher Gerty is sponsored through Dancers First by Ms. Nancy Viner & Dr. Raymond Stein.
Heather Ogden is sponsored through Dancers First by Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin.
Isabella Kinch is sponsored through Dancers First by Daphne Taras.
Keaton Leier is sponsored through Dancers First by Donald & Suzanne Kopas.
Noah Parets is sponsored through Dancers First by John Covington Jr & Robert Lukey.
David Preciado is sponsored through Dancers First by an Anonymous donor.
Kota Sato is sponsored through Dancers First by Tony Arrell, C.M. & Anne Arrell.
Oliver Yonick is sponsored through Dancers First by John Covington Jr and Robert Lukey.
Share the Magic is generously underwritten by The Slaight Family Foundation with additional support from the Ada Slaight Fund.
The National Ballet of Canada’s Education and Community Engagement programmes are generously supported by the Anna McCowan-Johnson Dance Accessibility Fund at The National Ballet of Canada, Endowment Foundation.
The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Canada Council for the Arts; the Ontario Arts Council; the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council; the Department of Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada; and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming and the Ministry of Sport, Government of Ontario.
Isabella Kinch and Oliver Yonick. Photo by Karolina Kuras.
For more information and interview opportunities, please contact:
Touchwood PR
Andréa Grau, Founder and Owner
Chelsea Cabello, Senior Publicist
Sydney Clarke, Publicist
NBOC@touchwoodpr.com
The National Ballet of Canada
Catherine Chang, Associate Director of Communications & Content Strategy
Sarah Johnsen, Interim Communications Manager
Media@national.ballet.ca