Building the Digital Stage

As theatres went dark last spring, The National Ballet of Canada recognized the value in having broadcast quality content that audiences could access online. As a result, the company has accelerated existing plans to develop a digital infrastructure with enhanced video capture and distribution capabilities. When the National Ballet started sharing content online during the initial lockdown period in March 2020, many in our community expressed appreciation for being able to enjoy ballet from home. The success of our online classes, Ballet Moments series and other digital content revealed a desire among audiences for more online engagement. To meet this demand, the National Ballet is now commissioning new work for digital platforms and investing in improved technology that will meet the high standards of excellence set by our live performances.

The National Ballet is partnering with the Canadian Opera Company (COC) on a landmark initiative to purchase and install cutting edge audio-visual equipment at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, The Walter Carsen Centre, and the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre. This includes acquiring the necessary software, bandwidth and network capabilities for widespread digital distribution.

The goal of the partnership is to develop a sophisticated, shared digital infrastructure with combined influence to secure relationships with vendors, international media companies and distribution companies. This is an exciting development for our organization, the COC and the city of Toronto, as leading arts institutions come together to improve access to music, dance, stories and art.

Jointly, the companies have received a $650,000 grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage, with the National Ballet set to raise an additional $333,920 through Together for Ballet. The National Ballet’s Honourary Board has set a goal of raising $250,000 towards this project, spearheaded by Noreen Taylor, Honourary Board Liaison. In the future, it is hoped that funds can be raised for the filming of one major production from the Four Seasons Centre each year. Such projects create additional opportunity for community engagement and new creative partnerships while expanding the company’s reach beyond traditional theatre settings.

“We’re going to build into our model regular capture of content to build a more robust catalogue. So, when we face this at some point in future — hopefully a long way away in the future — we will have solved that part of this equation.”

- Executive Director Barry Hughson