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, an outreach program offered by the National Ballet. This program involves the preparation and presentation of selected repertory at performances (approximately 20 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.

If you are an established dancer who has strong, classical ballet technique and performing experience with a professional company, please click here for information on how to audition for a Corps, Soloist or Principal contract.

Contract Dates?

The likely start date for a new Apprentice would be August 2011, however dancers offered Apprenticeships will automatically be offered the opportunity to spend July in Banff, Alberta, all expenses paid, to participate in the Banff Centre's Summer Professional Dance Program.

When is the next Apprentice audition? And what should I expect?

The 2010/11 Apprentice Programme audition will take place on Sunday January 23, 2011 at 11:00 am, in front of a panel from both The National Ballet of Canada and Canada's National Ballet School. The audition will include class, pointe work for ladies and company repertoire. Please note that dancers may be eliminated from the audition process at any time during the audition. The audition is expected to end by 3:00 pm.

Auditionees who were not eliminated over the course of the audition will be notified of their status within approximately three weeks.

Successful applicants may be invited to join the Apprentice Programme directly, or may be asked to consider joining the Post Secondary Programme at Canada's National Ballet School to strengthen their skills sufficiently to be considered for an apprenticeship. Canada's National Ballet School may then offer the applicant the opportunity to join the Summer School phase of the School's auditioning process for the Post Secondary Programme. For more information on the Post Secondary Programme, please refer to Canada's National Ballet School's website www.nbs-enb.ca.

How do I apply for an audition space?

Please email or mail your complete CV, email address and photographs (one head shot and one full-body dance shot) no later than January 10, 2011 to:

Please specify that you are applying for a spot at the Apprentice auditions on January 23rd.

Do NOT send videos or DVDs.

You will receive communication from the National Ballet closer to the audition date that confirms your place at the audition. If you have not heard from the National Ballet by January 17, 2011, please email auditions@national.ballet.ca or call 416 345 9686 x352.

What if I can’t attend the scheduled audition?

Apprentice candidates must be seen in person to be considered for an apprentice position with The National Ballet of Canada. If you are unable to attend the Apprentice auditions on January 23, please email auditions@national.ballet.ca or call 416 345 9686 x352 and we will try to accommodate you at another time.

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.