About the National Ballet of Canada

The National Ballet of Canada is one of the most exciting, innovative arts institutions in Canada, and among the top ballet companies in the world. Since its establishment in 1951, The National Ballet of Canada is celebrated for its remarkable dancers and diverse repertoire of traditional full-length classic ballets and cutting-edge contemporary work by world-renowned choreographers.

The National Ballet performs works by the world’s most celebrated choreographers and has an enviable relationship with Resident Choreographer David Dawson. It’s extensive repertoire ranges from Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber to Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, Helen Pickett, John Cranko, William Forsythe, Rudolf Nureyev, Crystal Pite, Alonzo King, James Kudelka, Wayne McGregor and Christopher Wheeldon. In January 2022, Hope Muir joined as Artistic Director and has brought artistic acclaim to the company through her highly considered repertoire and artist development. Including a historic Olivier nomination – the first in the company’s history.

The National Ballet employs 140 artists, dancers, and musicians, and a similar number of production and administrative staff. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, the fourth-largest city in North America and one of the most vibrantly diverse cities in the world, the company is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our Education and Community Engagement programmes are designed to cultivate an interest in the arts and promote dance to youth and broader communities.  

We persist to create an environment that encourages our artists and employees to realize the full extent of their talent in an inclusive workplace.  

Collectively, the Artistic Staff is responsible for all artistic components of the National Ballet and is critical to preserving its outstanding reputation as a standard bearer for classical and contemporary repertoire. All Artistic Staff members demonstrate leadership, positivity and collaborative qualities while maintaining the standard of professionalism and excellence in all aspects of their work.

About the Position

Reporting to the Artistic Director, the Rehearsal Director is responsible for, but are not limited to:

• Directs rehearsals of both existing ballets and new works, as assigned by the Artistic Director.
• Prepares for stagings from available resources as required and maintains adequate notes and updates for future stagings.
• Assists choreographers/stagers per the Artistic Director’s discretion, learning assigned ballets during the creation/staging process, directing all rehearsals of assigned ballets when choreographers/stagers are not available, restaging assigned ballets in subsequent seasons and being sensitive to costuming, make-up and stage setting for subsequent performances.
• Reports on the state of readiness of ballets, progress or issues, completing cast assignments as requested by the Artistic Director. Responsible for maintaining and updating the program casting of assigned work (general and grid) in consultation with the Artistic Director and distributes casting information to the company and artistic staff, as required.
• Coaches’ artists of all levels within the company, developing both technique and artistic abilities of dancers. Teaches both classical and contemporary technique at company level with a primary focus on male technique and partnering.
• Attends all spacing rehearsals and performances of all ballets/casts as assigned.
• Evaluates the standards of each performance and provides feedback to dancers and the Artistic Director. Provides input to the Artistic Director for annual dancer evaluations.
• Attends all Artistic Staff meetings, liaises with the production department (e.g., stage management & wardrobe) and the Music department (e.g., pianists and Principal Conductor).
• Participates in occasional fundraising, educational events or publicity related activities, as needed.
• Performs other administrative duties as required, such as scheduling of rehearsals.
• Other tasks as requested by the Artistic Director.

Qualifications:

• Broad experience as a professional dancer in male roles in classical and contemporary repertoire.
• Experience as a member of an artistic coaching team or equivalent experience, overseeing productions within a company setting. Strong experience teaching male technique, partnering and repertoire. 
• Experience assisting choreographers on new creations and stagers of acquired works.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, with effective time management.
• Experience in complexities of scheduling and aware of Union parameters, guidelines, and work expectations.
• Practical and theoretical knowledge of the company’s repertoire.
• Hold effective communication, coaching and feedback skills.
• Flexible, adaptable, and collaborative team player, able to integrate into a diverse team, share learning and insights, and support the achievement of the Artistic department.
• Consistently demonstrates a high level of integrity, confidentiality, accountability, dependability and initiative.
• General experience with MS Office Suite, SharePoint, wireless devices such as iPads and video conferencing tools such as Zoom and Teams.
• Must have a solid commitment towards diversity, equity and inclusion.

Physical Demands and Work Requirements

• This position requires physical stamina to endure many hours of coaching, training and rehearsals with dancers of all levels within the company.
  • Primarily work at The Walter Carsen Centre (WCC) located at 470 Queens Quay West, Toronto and occasional work at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (FSCPA) located at 145 Queen St West, Toronto during Performance Season.
• Evening and weekend work required during performance season and whilst on tour.
• Must have a valid Passport and able to travel internationally.

Mental effort

• Frequent mental effort is required in multi-tasking and time management.
• Continual focus required to ensure consistency in rehearsals whilst adapting to individual artist’s needs.