Rehearsal Director (Male-Technique)
/ORGANIZATION:
The National Ballet of Canada
DEADLINE:
February 6, 2026
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
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. Its 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. Its Education and Community Engagement programmes are designed to cultivate an interest in the arts and promote dance to youth and broader communities.
The organization persists in creating an environment that encourages 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.
WEBSITE:
https://national.ballet.ca/
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The National Ballet of Canada is seeking a Rehearsal Director with professional experience as a dancer in male roles in both classical and contemporary repertoire. The position will involve primarily teaching male technique, coaching repertoire at all company levels and overseeing rehearsals for National Ballet of Canada productions.
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.
o Primarily work at The Walter Carsen Centre (WCC) located at 470 Queens Quay West, Toronto, with 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 is required during performance season and whilst on tour.
• Must have a valid passport and be able to travel internationally.
Mental Effort
• Frequent mental effort is required for multitasking and time management.
• Continual focus is required to ensure consistency in rehearsals while adapting to individual artists’ needs.
Compensation and Benefits
The National Ballet of Canada strives to offer competitive, market-based compensation. The expected compensation range is $90,000–$100,000, commensurate with experience and background. The company strives to provide work-life balance and is committed to supporting employees’ overall wellbeing and productivity. Benefits and perks include complimentary season tickets to performances at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts; a comprehensive health, dental and paramedical benefits package including a Health Spending Account; a company-matched Defined Contribution Pension Plan; counselling services and wellbeing resources through an Employee Assistance Program; and discounts to in-studio fitness classes and access to onsite fitness rooms.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reporting to the Artistic Director, the Rehearsal Director is responsible for, but not limited to:
Directing rehearsals of both existing ballets and new works as assigned by the Artistic Director
Preparing for stagings from available resources as required and maintaining adequate notes and updates for future stagings
Assisting choreographers and stagers at the Artistic Director’s discretion, learning assigned ballets during the creation and staging process, directing rehearsals when choreographers or stagers are unavailable, restaging works in subsequent seasons, and remaining sensitive to costuming, make-up and stage settings for subsequent performances
Reporting on the state of readiness of ballets, progress or issues, completing cast assignments as requested by the Artistic Director, and maintaining and updating program casting in consultation with the Artistic Director
Coaching artists of all levels within the company, developing both technique and artistic abilities, and teaching classical and contemporary technique with a primary focus on male technique and partnering
Attending all spacing rehearsals and performances of assigned ballets and casts
Evaluating performance standards and providing feedback to dancers and the Artistic Director, including input for annual dancer evaluations
Attending all Artistic Staff meetings and liaising with production and music departments
Participating in occasional fundraising, educational or publicity activities as needed
Performing administrative duties such as scheduling rehearsals
Completing 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, with 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 navigating complex scheduling and an awareness of union parameters, guidelines and work expectations
Practical and theoretical knowledge of the company’s repertoire
Effective communication, coaching and feedback skills
Flexible, adaptable and collaborative team player able to integrate into a diverse team
Demonstrated integrity, confidentiality, accountability, dependability and initiative
General experience with MS Office Suite, SharePoint, wireless devices such as iPads, and video conferencing tools including Zoom and Teams
Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
HOW TO APPLY:
This posting is for an existing vacancy within the organization. Please submit one PDF document including your cover letter and updated resume to HR@national.ballet.ca with the subject line “Rehearsal Director” by no later than February 6, 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may be scheduled before the deadline. Early submission is encouraged. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Artificial intelligence is not used to screen, assess or select applicants; all hiring decisions are made by managers and the HR team.
The National Ballet of Canada is committed to taking every reasonable precaution for the protection of worker health and safety in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and all applicable laws. The successful candidate will be required to participate in a Criminal Background Check. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada and are responsible for providing up-to-date contact information and monitoring communications throughout the process. Accommodation is available at any stage of the hiring process upon request.
REMUNERATION:
$90,000–$100,000 annually
