Auditions
Auditions
RBC Apprentice Programme
What is the Apprentice Programme?
The National Ballet of Canada offers an Apprentice Programme under the sponsorship of The RBC Foundation. This programme is intended for both male and female graduates of professional conservatories who are interested in dancing with The National Ballet of Canada. The apprenticeship takes place over a 10 month period and allows dancers to continue building their technical skills while adapting to a professional schedule.
All Apprentices take part in YOU dance, the joint outreach program offered by the National Ballet and Canada's National Ballet School. This program involves the preparation and presentation of selected repertory at performances (approximately 35 per year) designed to introduce young people to ballet. Performances take place in a theatrical setting and are scheduled so as not conflict with the Apprentices' responsibilities to the main company.
As members of YOU dance, Apprentices also benefit from classes and rehearsals that focus on the development of the skills appropriate to their position as entry level professionals. As well, they are welcome to approach the members of the artistic staff for career advice and coaching. Apprentices receive 50% of a first-year NBC corps member salary. The National Ballet's Artistic Director and her staff evaluate the Apprentices throughout the year and may invite them to join the National Ballet as a company member at any point within the ten month period of the Apprenticeship. In the event an Apprentice is not to be offered further work with the National Ballet every effort is made to convey this information in a timely fashion.
Who should audition?
Recent graduates of professional ballet conservatories who are interested in dancing with The National Ballet of Canada, generally between the ages of 17 – 21 years old.
If you have not graduated from a secondary school and are under 17, you are NOT eligible for The National Ballet of Canada Apprentice auditions. However, you may contact Canada’s National Ballet School at www.nbs-enb.ca for more information regarding classes, summer school and other training programs while a secondary school student.
When is the next Apprentice audition? And what should I expect?
The National Ballet of Canada's audition process for the 2010/11 Season is now complete. Please check back in August 2010 when we will announce the audition dates for the 2011/12 Season.
For more information please email auditions@national.ballet.ca.
What if I can’t attend the scheduled audition?
Please check back in August when we will announce new audition dates and procedures for the 2011/12 Season.
What if I have other questions?
Please visit our FAQ page for more information. For anything else regarding the RBC Apprentice Programme and auditions, please email auditions@national.ballet.ca or call 416 345 9686 x352.
The RBC Apprenticeship Programme is generously supported by the RBC Foundation.
Company Auditions
The National Ballet of Canada's audition process for the 2010/11 Season is now complete. Please check back in August 2010 when we will announce the audition procedure for the 2011/12 Season.
Applications will be accepted between January 1, 2011 and March 31, 2011.
For more Information about becoming a Company member please email auditions@national.ballet.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the auditions held?
The auditions take place at The Walter Carsen Centre for The National Ballet of Canada, 470 Queens Quay West in Toronto. The facility is just west of the downtown core at Queens Quay West and Spadina Avenue.
Is there a hotel close by?
There are several hotels in downtown Toronto that are all about 10 to 20 minutes away by taxi or public transportation. Any travel website that lists a hotel as "downtown" will be fairly close. Dancers who have auditioned with us in the past have recommended The Bond Place Hotel and The Strathcona Hotel as they are less expensive than some of the large chain hotels. The closest major hotels are the Hilton Garden Inn, Hyatt Regency Toronto, the Radisson and a Super 8. There is also a hostel close by called Global Village Backpackers.
Is there parking at The Walter Carsen Centre?
There is no designated parking for The Walter Carsen Centre where the audition is held. There are public parking lots within walking distance of the centre. Also the Toronto Transit Commissions (TTC) streetcars operate regularly past the facility located in the Queens Quay/Spadina Avenue area of Toronto. Please note, the subway does not start running until approximately 9:00 am on Sundays. For transit information please visit http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/
Is there a dress code for the audition?
Both Women and Men should wear clothing that allows the adjudicators to see the line of the body and legs. Women will be required to wear pointe shoes for a portion of the audition.
Do I need to prepare a piece for the audition?
No. The audition will consist of company class and, should you go on to the next step, learning company repertoire.