Sharing the Stage: Nova Dance

Nova Dance artists will perform Calm Abiding by Montréal choreographer José Navas and Maskura by Nova Dance Founder Nova Bhattacharya. Artists of the National Ballet will perform excerpts from Swan Lake and Jennifer Archibald’s new work for the company, King's Fall, which makes its world premiere during the Summer Season. 

Nova Dance
Nova Dance was founded by Nova Bhattacharya in 2008. An award-winning artist and cultural leader based in Toronto, Nova's inspiration is found in identities, hybridities and diversities, manifesting creations that resonate with technical virtuosity and lush, vivid imagery. Nova Dance is a leading force in Canadian dance with a genre-defying repertoire drawing inspiration from the classical Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam and a spirit of constant exploration. 

Karen Kain
Karen Kain joined The National Ballet of Canada in 1969 and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 1971. Over the course of her dancing career, she collaborated with top choreographers, toured internationally and worked in stage and film. Kain led the National Ballet as Artistic Director with great success from 2005 until she stepped down in June 2021 and was named Artistic Director Emerita.

Jennifer Archibald
Toronto-born Jennifer Archibald is the founder and Artistic Director of the Arch Dance Company and Program Director of ArchCore40 Dance Intensives. Jennifer has choreographed for the Ailey II, Atlanta Ballet, Ballet West, Grand Rapids Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Tulsa Ballet and BalletX among others. She has worked commercially for Nike, MAC Cosmetics, Tommy Hilfiger as well as chart-listed artists and returns to the Crypto Arena to choreograph the opening for KCON's annual conference.

• Following the hour-long performance featuring Nova Dance and the National Ballet, the audience is invited to stay for a conversation with Artistic Director Hope Muir and Nova Bhattacharya about the programme.
   
• Sharing the Stage was launched in 2019, made possible by generous support of the Metcalf Foundation, and engages with diverse artists and audiences in the community, offering support and access to ballet.
   
• Sharing the Stage first took place outdoors at Harbourfront Centre offering free performances, classes and artists talks. 

• In August, the National Ballet will feature a collaboration with Outside the March on a new work titled Rainbow on Mars. More details to come.

Calm Abiding

Choreography:
José Navas

Ensemble Remix:
Nova Bhattacharya

Music:
Alexander MacSween

Performers:
Neena Jayarajan, Rachana Joshi and Purawai Vyas from Nova Dance

A co-production with Compagnie Flak and National Arts Centre.

Maskura

Choreography:
Nova Bhattacharya

Music:
Ed Hanley

Performers:
Mel Hart, Neena Jayarajan, Rachana Joshi, Eilish Shin Culhane and Purawai Vyas from Nova Dance

King's Fall

Choreography:
Jennifer Archibald

Costume Designer:
Emily Morgan         

Lighting Designer:
Jeff Logue

World Premiere: The National Ballet of Canada, Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, May 29, 2025

King's Fall is generously supported by Ilsa Blidner & The Blidner Family Foundation.

Swan Lake Excerpt