Photo Gallery (6 images)
In conversation with Heather Ogden 
Biography
Heather Ogden was born in Toronto and trained at the Richmond Academy of Dance in British Columbia before joining The National Ballet of Canada in 1998. She was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2005.
Ms. Ogden’s repertoire with the National Ballet includes principal roles in Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, The Merry Widow, La Bayadère and Cinderella. In addition, Ms. Ogden has danced featured roles in diverse works such as James Kudelka’s The Four Seasons, Dominique Dumais’ one hundred words for snow, George Balanchine’s Apollo, Jewels, The Four Temperaments, Theme and Variations and Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Eliot Feld’s Intermezzo, August Bournonville’s La Sylphide and Victor Gsovsky’s Grand Pas Classique.
Recent company premieres include lead roles in John Neumeier’s The Seagull and Davide Bombana’s Carmen. Recent world premieres have included Crystal Pite’s Emergence, Sabrina Matthews’ DEXTRIS and Peter Quanz’s IN COLOUR. In 2005, she travelled with The Suzanne Farrell Ballet to perform the role of Dulcinea in Balanchine’s Don Quixote in Edinburgh and danced in the National Ballet’s company premiere of the work in 2007.
Ms. Ogden represented the National Ballet at The Sixth International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize with Guillaume Côté in 2002. In 2007, she performed in the Stars of the 21st Century gala performance in New York City and was a guest performer at the Banff Centre’s 60th Anniversary Gala. Ms. Ogden also performed in Montréal’s Gala des Étoiles in 2006 and 2007.
Questions & Answers
Posted on: February 2009
1. You will be starring as Juliet in the upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet. How will you and your "real-life" Romeo Guillaume Côté spend Valentines Day this year?
This year two of my best friends will be visiting from Vancouver so Guillaume will have three valentines to tend to. What a lucky guy! My valentine is a true romantic so I'm sure we will sneak in a dinner date at some point. We recently moved into our first home in Leslieville and we love testing out all the great restaurants in the neighbourhood.
2. Do you have a special attachment to Romeo and Juliet?
Romeo and Juliet was my first principal role and Guillaume was my first partner. I have always felt so comfortable being partnered by Guillaume and I love the connection we have on stage. I definitely have a special attachment to this ballet and to my Romeo.
3. You are also preparing for Innovation which features three world premieres by young Canadian choreographers Peter Quanz, Sabrina Matthews and Crystal Pite. What do you most enjoy about the process of creating a role in a new ballet?
The process of creating a role in a ballet is a very rewarding one for me. To be able to see so much accomplished every day and to be in the studio with someone who is inspired and doing what they love always creates a great atmospere. It's also a treat to have a role made specifically for you and feel involved in the creative process as it usually seems to sit just right on your body. This year we are working with three choreographers, Peter Quanz, Sabrina Matthews and Crystal Pite, who are each bringing something very different to the company.
4. Do you have a preference between dancing classic roles and creating new roles? What makes each process special for you?
I am really happy to be in a company that lets me explore both the classics and new roles. I am a die-hard lover of the classics. I like the tradition and the challenge of accomplishing a ballet that has been done so many times before, but adding my own take on the character. As for new roles, I love the aspect of pushing my body to move in new ways and the experimental side of creation.
5. What was it like when you saw John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet for the first time? Why would this performance make a great Valentines gift?
The first time I saw Cranko's Romeo and Juliet was when I was learning the role of Juliet. I fell in love with the ballet right away and it is still my favourite ballet to dance and watch. The entire production is stunning, the story is heartbreaking and the way it touches the audience is truly amazing. If you are up for a night of romance this is your show. It is a beautiful love story that reminds us to cherish that special person in our lives.
Quotes
Feature Article
"Audiences have taken to Ogden’s unaffected charm and the sheer physical daring of her movement — she never holds back."
- Pointe Magazine, 2009
Romeo and Juliet
"[Ogden] delicately transforms from an innocent, blushing girl to a courageous, desperate and passionate woman. She has the most marvellous, expressive arms and upper body, and with her long blond locks, translucent skin, and high forehead she is as winsome a heroine as you could wish for."
- The Ottawa Citizen, 2009
Carmen
"Heather Ogden's Carmen is haughty, full of attitude. She can cause a cataclysm with a look."
- The Toronto Star, 2009