Swan Lake | 2016 | The National Ballet of Canada
The Nutcracker | The National Ballet of Canada
The Magic Behind the Snow Scene in The Nutcracker | The National Ballet of Canada
In Studio in Toronto teaches ballet classes at the National Ballet of Canada
In Studio teaches ballet lessons for all levels out of the National Ballet of Canada in Toronto.
Toronto Loves Nijinsky | 2017 | The National Ballet of Canada
Company Class | The National Ballet of Canada
Canada's National Ballet School
An introduction to Canada's National Ballet School.
Behind the Scenes at The Nutcracker | The National Ballet of Canada
The Nutcracker
Choreography and Libretto: James Kudelka, O.C.
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Set and Costume Design: Santo Loquasto
Lighting Design: Jennifer Tipton
Featuring:
Jurgita Dronina
Naoya Ebe
Harrison James
Elena Lobsanova
Hannah Fischer
Tanya Howard
Jeannine Haller
Siphesihle November
Teagan Richman-Taylor
Artists of the Ballet
Students from Canada's National Ballet School
The Musicians of The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra.
The Nutcracker is made possible by generous financial support from production underwriters Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lawrence and Ann Heisey and an anonymous friend of the National Ballet.
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 Economic Development & Culture Department; the Government of Canada – Department of Canadian Heritage, through the Honourable
Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism.; and the Government of Ontario through The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
Naoya Ebe is sponsored through Dancers First by Gretchen Ross.
Harrison James is sponsored through Dancers First by Lucy White.
Elena Lobsanova is sponsored through Dancers First by Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan.
Hannah Fischer is sponsored through Dancers First by an anonymous donor.
Tanya Howard is sponsored through Dancers First by Nancy Pencer.
Siphesihle November is sponsored through Dancers First by Jerry & Joan Lozinski.
Videography: Gregor Hagey
Editor: Paul McNulty
Kyle Lowry and Matt Thomas as Cannon Dolls | The National Ballet of Canada
2019 NBA Champion Kyle Lowry joined fellow Toronto Raptor Matt Thomas onstage as Cannon Dolls in The Nutcracker.
Toronto’s favourite holiday tradition! Ballet companies all over the world perform The Nutcracker during the holiday season, each with a special take on the beloved classic. The National Ballet of Canada has one of the very finest versions in the world in James Kudelka’s staging from 1995, set in 19th century Russia. With non-stop dancing and magnificent sets and costumes from Santo Loquasto, The Nutcracker is an unforgettable tribute to the imagination.
Choreography and Libretto:
James Kudelka, O.C.
Music:
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky*
Set and Costume Design:
Santo Loquasto
Lighting Design:
Jennifer Tipton
*The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra with VIVA! Youth Singers of Toronto, Founder and Artistic Director Carol Woodward Ratzlaff
The Nutcracker is made possible by generous financial support from production underwriters Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lawrence & Ann Heisey and an anonymous friend of the National Ballet.
Featuring:
Karen Kain, Artist Director
Skylar Campbell
Jillian Vanstone
Alexander Skinner
Artists of the Ballet
Students from Canada's National Ballet School
Cannon Dolls Toronto Raptors Kyle Lowry and Matt Thomas.
Musicians of The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra.
Videography by Monica Guddat
Editing by Sean Leonard
The Nutcracker by the Numbers | The National Ballet of Canada
The Nutcracker is one of The National Ballet of Canada’s most grand productions with 233 performers, 187 costumes, 57 animals and more in each and every show. Watch our newest video and see how it all adds up to The Nutcracker!
The Nutcracker
Choreography and Libretto: James Kudelka, O.C.
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Set and Costume Design: Santo Loquasto
Lighting Design: Jennifer Tipton
Featuring:
Naoya Ebe
Jillian Vanstone
Rebekah Rimsay
Hannah Fischer
Kathryn Hosier
Ethan Watts
Artists of the Ballet
Students from Canada’s National Ballet School
Musicians of The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra.
The Nutcracker is made possible by generous financial support from production underwriters Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lawrence &
Ann Heisey and an anonymous friend of the National Ballet.
Naoya Ebe is sponsored through Dancers First by Gretchen Ross.
Jillian Vanstone is sponsored through Dancers First by George & Kathy Dembroski.
Hannah Fischer is sponsored through Dancers First by an anonymous donor.
Kathryn Hosier is sponsored through Dancers First by Donna Meyers & Doug Richmond.
Ethan Watts is sponsored through Dancers First by Robbie J. Pryde.
Videography by Anne-Marie Jackson, Johan Hallberg-Campbell and Monica Guddat
Editing by Anne-Marie Jackson
Swan Lake: 2016/17 Preview | The National Ballet of Canada
The 12 Days of The Nutcracker | 2017 | The National Ballet of Canada
Kids of The Nutcracker | The National Ballet of Canada
Toronto’s favourite holiday tradition! Ballet companies all over the world perform The Nutcracker during the holiday season, each with a special take on the beloved classic. The National Ballet of Canada has one of the very finest versions in the world in James Kudelka’s staging from 1995, set in 19th century Russia. With non-stop dancing and magnificent sets and costumes from Santo Loquasto, The Nutcracker is an unforgettable tribute to the imagination.
The Nutcracker
Choreography and Libretto: James Kudelka, O.C.
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Set and Costume Design: Santo Loquasto
Lighting Design: Jennifer Tipton
Featuring:
Naoya Ebe
Rebekah Rimsay
Christopher Gerty
Calley Skalnik
Artists of the Ballet
Laurel Toto, Head of Junior School/Rehearsal Director for The Nutcracker, Canada’s National Ballet School
Students from Canada’s National Ballet School
Musicians of The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra.
The Nutcracker is made possible by generous financial support from production underwriters Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lawrence &
Ann Heisey and an anonymous friend of the National Ballet.
Naoya Ebe is sponsored through Dancers First by Gretchen Ross.
Christopher Gerty is sponsored through Dancers First by Ms. Nancy Viner & Dr. Raymond Stein.
Calley Skalnik is sponsored through Dancers First by an anonymous donor.
Videography by Anne-Marie Jackson, Johan Hallberg-Campbell and Monica Guddat
Editing by Anne-Marie Jackson
Made in Canada | 2018 | The National Ballet of Canada
2019: Year in Review | The National Ballet of Canada
Featuring:
Koto Ishihara with Artists of the Ballet in Piano Concerto #1. Choreography by Alexei Ratmansky.
Jillian Vanstone, Francesco Gabriele Frola and Ben Rudisin in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.
Calley Skalnik and Jack Bertinshaw with Students from Canada’s National Ballet School in The Nutcracker. Choreography by James Kudelka.
Jillian Vanstone with Artists of the Ballet in Giselle. Choreography by Sir Peter Wright after the choreography of Jean Coralli and Marius Petipa.
Jenna Savella and Spencer Hack in Orpheus Alive. Choreography by Robert Binet.
Robert Binet with Artists of the Ballet in rehearsal for Orpheus Alive.
Donald Thom, Chelsy Meiss and Ben Rudisin in rehearsal for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.
William Forsythe with Artists of the Ballet in rehearsal for Physical Thinking.
Naoya Ebe with Calley Skalnik and Jenna Savella in Etudes. Choreography by Harald Lander.
Heather Ogden in Etudes. Choreography by Harald Lander.
In Studio participants at In Studio’s Summer Dance Intensive.
Gala attendees at MAD HOT BALLET: Desert Dream.
Wheelchair Tennis Athletes Gillian Cruz and Anne-Marie Dolinar, Team Ontario, Ontario Para Network as Cannon Dolls with Artists of the Ballet in The Nutcracker. Choreography by James Kudelka.
Deja, Narissa and Jade at Share the Magic.
Siphesihle November with Artists of the Ballet in The Second Detail. Choreography by William Forsythe.
Siphesihle November at The Erik Bruhn Prize.
Artists of the Ballet in Petite Mort. Choreography by Jiří Kylián.
Karen Kain at a photoshoot for Swan Lake.
Harrison James with Artists of the Ballet in Etudes. Choreography by Harald Lander.
Arielle Miralles and Sophie Lee with audience members at a YOU dance Relaxed Performance.
Francesco Gabriele Frola in Paquita. Choreography by Christopher Stowell, after Marius Petipa.
Toronto Raptors Kyle Lowry and Matt Thomas as Cannon Dolls with Karen Kain and Artists of the Ballet in The Nutcracker. Choreography by James Kudelka.
Heather Ogden and Jack Bertinshaw with Artists of the Ballet in The Second Detail. Choreography by William Forsythe.
Calley Sklanik in Etudes. Choreography by Harald Lander.
Photos:
Xiao Nan Yu in The Merry Widow. Photo by Karolina Kuras.
Lead philanthropic support for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is provided by an anonymous friend of the National Ballet with additional support
generously provided by The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation, Richard M. Ivey, C.C., Rosamond Ivey, Robert & Judith Lawrie and Wallace McCain & Margaret McCain, C.C.
The International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize is presented by John and Claudine Bailey.
The Second Detail is a gift from The Volunteer Committee, The National Ballet of Canada.
The Merry Widow entered the repertoire through the generosity of The Volunteer Committee, The National Ballet of Canada, joined by the Rotary Club of Toronto.
Giselle was produced as a memorial to the late William P. Walker and was made possible through the courtesy of many generous friends of the National Ballet.
Lead philanthropic support for Orpheus Alive is provided by The Producers’ Circle.
The Producers’ Circle: Gail & Mark Appel, John & Claudine Bailey, Inger Bartlett & Marshal Stearns, Laura Dinner & Richard Rooney, Gail Drummond & Bob Dorrance, The Thor E. and Nicole Eaton Family Charitable Foundation, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Kevin Garland & Roger Garland, C.M., Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin, The William & Nona Heaslip Foundation, Anna McCowan Johnson & Donald K. Johnson, O.C., Judy Korthals & Peter Irwin, Mona & Harvey Levenstein, Jerry & Joan Lozinski, The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., Julie Medland, Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lynda & Jonas Prince, Susan Scace & Arthur Scace, C.M., Q.C., The Harry & Lillian Seymour Family Foundation, Gerald Sheff & Shanitha Kachan and The Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation.
Lead philanthropic support for Piano Concerto #1 is provided by an anonymous friend of the National Ballet and The Producers’ Circle.
Etudes is a gift from The Volunteer Committee, The National Ballet of Canada.
The Nutcracker is made possible by generous financial support from production underwriters Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lawrence and Ann Heisey and an anonymous friend of the National Ballet.
Videography by Paul McNulty, Monica Guddat, Johan Hallberg-Campbell and Anne-Marie Jackson
Editing by Sean Leonard
Becoming the Sugar Plum Fairy | The National Ballet of Canada
Everyone loves The Nutcracker. Sold-out for the past four seasons, it’s your ticket to holiday fun. Buy early for the best price and seat.
A true feast for the senses and imagination!
The Nutcracker is onstage December 12, 2019 – January 4, 2020.
The Nutcracker
Choreography and Libretto: James Kudelka, O.C.
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Set and Costume Design: Santo Loquasto
Lighting Design: Jennifer Tipton
Featuring:
Karen Kain
Calley Skalnik
Jack Bertinshaw
Artists of the Ballet
Students from Canada’s National Ballet School
Musicians of The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra.
The Nutcracker is made possible by generous financial support from production underwriters Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lawrence & Ann Heisey and an anonymous friend of the National Ballet.
Calley Skalnik is sponsored through Dancers First by an anonymous donor.
Videography by Anne-Marie Jackson and Johan Hallberg-Campbell
Editing by Anne-Marie Jackson
National Ballet of Canada: The Nutcracker
The pinnacle of classic ballet performances, The Nutcracker continues to mesmerize audiences a century after its debut. Photographer Daniel Neuhaus has followed the National Ballet of Canada’s productions since 2012, capturing the company’s unique choreography and staging, complete with falling snow. See behind the scenes of this year's magical performance below, captured in photos and a short film:
The Nutcracker: A backstage look at The National Ballet
While the audience at The Nutcracker sees the grace and precision happening on stage, the preparations and backstage action at The National Ballet of Canada can seem more like organized chaos.
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NBS National Audition Tour 2018/19
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Behind the scenes of the National Ballet of Canada's Nutcracker
The first rehearsal of the National Ballet of Canada's Nutcracker has begun. Take a look behind the scenes of this holiday favourite.