The National Ballet of Canada

The National Ballet of Canada

The National Ballet of Canada Location

Company information

Company's Address:
145 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 4G1, Canada
Company's Email:
info@national.ballet.ca
Company's Website:

The National Ballet of Canada - World-Leading Ballet Company in Toronto

About The National Ballet of Canada

Founded in 1951, The National Ballet of Canada is one of the world's leading ballet companies with over 70 dancers, its own full orchestra, and a permanent home at The Walter Carsen Centre in Toronto. The company performs classical and contemporary ballet with a diverse repertoire.

Description

The National Ballet of Canada is a performing dance company incorporated in 1951. It was founded by Sydney Mulqueen, Pearl Whitehead, and Aileen Woods, who brought Celia Franca from England to Toronto to establish the company. Its first performance took place at The Eaton Auditorium on November 12, 1951. The company is based at The Walter Carsen Centre in Toronto, and since 2011 its production team has operated from The Gretchen Ross Production Centre. Hope Muir serves as Artistic Director, with Charlotte Geeves as Executive Director and David Briskin as Music Director and Principal Conductor.

The company performs classical and contemporary ballet with a roster of over 70 dancers from around the world. Its repertoire includes traditional full-length classics, contemporary works, and new ballets. The company has its own orchestra, making it one of six companies in North America with a full orchestra accompanying productions. It presents performances in Canada, on tour, and through online programming. The company states its mission is to perform ballet masterworks for audiences in Canada and abroad while developing Canadian choreographers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The National Ballet of Canada?

The National Ballet of Canada is a performing dance company incorporated in 1951. It is one of the top international ballet companies in the world with 70 dancers, its own orchestra, and a permanent home at The Walter Carsen Centre in Toronto. The company performs masterworks of classical and contemporary ballet for audiences in Canada and abroad, exemplifying artistic excellence to the highest international standard.

The company’s permanent home is The Walter Carsen Centre in Toronto. Since 2011, its production team has worked from The Gretchen Ross Production Centre to build and store sets and costumes.

The company performs classical and contemporary ballet, presenting a diverse range of repertoire in Canada, in the community, on tour, and through online programming. The repertoire includes traditional full-length classics, contemporary work, and new ballets. The company creates and presents new ballets and develops Canadian choreographers. Productions are accompanied by a full orchestra, one of just six companies in North America with this distinction.

The company’s mission states it performs for a wide public in Canada and abroad. The company presents ballet in the community, on tour, and through online programming.

The company lists company auditions and the RBC Apprentice Programme on its website for dancers seeking to join.

The company performs classical and contemporary ballet with a diverse repertoire including traditional full-length classics, contemporary work, and new ballets. The company presents performances in Canada, in the community, on tour, and through online programming.