The National Ballet Of Canada 2025-2026 Season, Shows, Reviews

byCherilyn J. Lee

January 1, 2020 - Updated on July 4, 2025

The National Ballet of Canada

♦ Location: Toronto, Ontario – Canada

♦ Artistic Director: Hope Muir

♦ Orchestra: The National Ballet Orchestra

♦ Founded in 1951 by Celia Franca

♦ Official Website of The National Ballet of Canada

Table of Contents

The National Ballet of Canada 2025-2026 Season

The National Ballet of Canada 2025-2026 season programming weaves together contemporary premieres with traditional classics.

“The 2025/26 season defines the incredible breadth in the dance world today, incorporating family-friendly ballets, time-honoured classics and vital contemporary work into an eclectic season that balances the thrill of discovery with the comfort of the known.

A highlight I’m particularly excited for is the world premiere of Procession, our first collaboration with choreographers Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber that will bring a powerful new vocabulary to our stage.

I’m also thrilled to welcome back Canada’s Jera Wolfe, who will create a new work for our dancers.”

Hope Muir, Artistic Director of National Ballet of Canada

National Ballet of Canada’s Contracts New Dancers for the 2025-2026 Season

On May 16, 2025, Muir announced that joining The National Ballet of Canada for the 2025-2026 season are Chase O’Connell and Beckanne Sisk from Houston Ballet and Agnes Su from The Stuttgart Ballet.

“I’m delighted to welcome Chase, Beckanne and Agnes to The National Ballet of Canada,” said Muir. “These exceptional artists bring with them a depth of experience and individuality that will be exciting additions to our roster. I can’t wait to work with them in the studio and to introduce them to National Ballet audiences in the 2025/26 season.”

National Ballet of Canada Promotions for the 2025-2026 Season

About a month later, on June 20, 2025, the Artistic Director made public the promotions from within the company; National Ballet of Canada’s Larkin Miller rose to Principal Dancer, Peng-Fei Jiang to First Soloist and Monika Haczkiewicz, Isabella Kinch, Erica Lall and David Preciado to Second Soloist.

“Witnessing the extraordinary artistry, deep commitment and incredible versatility of our dancers was a constant inspiration for me throughout the 2024/25 season. I am so proud of the entire company. A privilege of my job, and one of my greatest joys, is to recognize the unique contribution of individuals with promotions.

Following impressive debuts in a diverse list of roles, I am thrilled to acknowledge these talented artists who are not only being recognized for their exquisite performances but also for their readiness to embrace the future and be role models for the next generation.

I am delighted to promote Larkin Miller to Principal Dancer. Larkin has had an inspired path to this position and through his deep sensitivity and dedication to this artform, he has excelled in many full-length productions including James Kudelka’s Cinderella and The Nutcracker and the lead role in John Cranko’s Onegin. His passionate portrayal of Count Vronsky in the North American premiere of Christian Spuck’s Anna Karenina was an exceptional standout performance as was his thrilling virtuosity in the North American premiere of The Four Seasons by David Dawson. Congratulations, Larkin on this milestone moment and I look forward to a bright future for The National Ballet of Canada.

It is my great pleasure to promote Peng-Fei Jiang to First Soloist and Monika Haczkiewicz, Isabella Kinch, Erica Lall and David Preciado to Second Soloist. The growth each of these dancers have shown this season is exceptional and I look forward to seeing how they continue to flourish in the coming seasons. Congratulations to all.”

The Fall season opens with Procession, a world premiere by internationally acclaimed choreographers Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber which explores the universal human experience of ceremonial movement. Smith and Schraiber have previously worked with companies such as Paris Opéra Ballet and Royal Danish Ballet, explore the universal human experience of ceremonial movement.

Following , Christopher Wheeldon’s The Winter’s Tale returns to Toronto, a contemporary classic which transforms Shakespeare’s tale of jealousy, forgiveness, and redemption into a ballet, complemented by Joby Talbot’s evocative score.

The National Ballet of Canada celebrates 30 years of James Kudelka’s The Nutcracker this season. This production, which has introduced countless audiences to ballet since 1995, continues to captivate with Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, sets and costumes from Santo Loquasto, and lighting design by Jennifer Tipton.

In the winter, Crystal Pite’s Flight Pattern makes its North American premiere; this moving work examines themes of displacement and human resilience. It is paired with the more classical Suite en Blanc by Serge Lifar.

Spring brings a different perspective to a recent favorite with Will Tuckett’s reimagined Pinocchio featuring new live narration that adds theatrical dimension to this beloved story. It is a production that will speak to audiences of all ages.

The Summer season showcases two works: a premiere by Métis creator Jera Wolfe, whose distinctive blend of contemporary, classical, and Indigenous movement languages marks him as a vital new choreographic voice, alongside Helen Pickett’s expanded production of Emma Bovary, a psychologically nuanced adaptation of Flaubert’s masterpiece.

The 2025-2026 season concludes with Wayne McGregor’s MADDADDAM, a contemporary work based on Margaret Atwood’s trilogy – Oryx and Crake, The Year of the Flood and MaddAddam – set to Max Richter’s mesmerizing score.

Source: The National Ballet of Canada