BalletX

Founder, Artistic & Executive Director CHRISTINE COX Founder MATTHEW NEENAN SUBTLE WILDLY TENDERNESS, ATHLETICISM OF MOVEMENT… IMAGIN- JUST PLAIN , SEXY. ATIVE NYC STUFF TOTALLY ZONKERS, ALWAYS BEAUTIFULLY PERFORMED… PHILADELPHIA CITY PAPER POWERFUL. ITS MOST DANCE AT …modern… BROAD STREET REVIEW and especially refreshing... THE NEW YORK TIMES BROAD STREET REVIEW LIVES IN THE PROCESS. ALSO CHANGING PEOPLE’S CHANGING DANCE, BUT IS NOT ONLY[BALLETX]

AN eclectic EVENING. THE DANCE JOURNAL

[BALLETX] IS MATURING

… company FROM A PHILADELPHIA TREASURE INTO A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PARAGON. THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER ADVENTUROUS

Fresh, touching, …INTENSELY INNOVATIVE …INTENSELY and musical, original.

UWISHUNU THE NEW YORK TIMES 3 ABOUT THE COMPANY BalletX, Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet, unites distinguished choreographers with an outstanding company of world-class dancers to forge new works of athleticism, emotion, and grace. Through the daring vision of its award-winning founders Christine Cox and Matthew Neenan, and now under the leadership of Cox as Artistic & Executive Director, BalletX challenges the boundaries of classical ballet by encourag- ing formal experimentation while preserving rigorous technique. The company is committed to producing new works of the highest quality and integrity that bring the combined visions of choreographers and dancers to life and culti- vate in audiences a collective appetite for bold, new dance. Since the company’s founding in 2005, BalletX has expanded its repertoire with 58 world premieres by internationally renowned artists including Jorma Elo, Nicolo Fonte, , Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Edwaard Liang, Adam Hougland, Matthew Neenan, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Gabrielle Lamb, Joshua L. Peugh, James Gregg, Olivier Wevers, Tobin Del Cuore, and Mauro Astolfi, among others. Firmly rooted in , these contemporary pieces challenge BalletX’s dancers with the innovative possibilities of ballet in the 21st century. With four annual performance series in Philadelphia, BalletX has reached diverse audi- ences of all ages and backgrounds as the Resident Dance Company of The Wilma Theater. Now recognized worldwide for its unique repertoire, the company participates in a growing number of national and international tours, including performances at prestigious venues and festivals such as The Joyce Theater in , Vail International Dance Festival in Colorado, Laguna Dance Festival in California, Festival de Ballet in Colombia, Ballet EXPO in South Korea, Sweet Pea Festival in Montana, Spring to Dance Festival in St. Louis, and DANCECleveland, among others. BalletX’s distinctive contribution to the American dance community has been recognized and supported in recent years by generous grants from the William Penn Foundation, Shubert Founda- tion, Jerome Robbins New Essential Works (NEW) Program, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Engaging Dance Audiences (a program of Dance/USA), Wyncote Foundation, Barra Foundation, PECO, National Endowment for the Arts, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and Philadelphia Cultural Fund. ABOUT THE COMPANY CHRISTINE COX MATTHEW NEENAN Founder, Artistic & Executive Director Founder

Christine Cox began her training with the School of Matthew Neenan began his dance training at and continued at the Philadel- the School with noted teachers Nan phia High School for the Performing Arts, spending C. Keating and Jacqueline Cronsberg. He later summer sessions at the Joffrey and San Francisco attended the LaGuardia High School of Performing Ballet schools. After high school, she danced with Arts and the School of in New BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio for five years before York. From 1994-2007, Neenan danced with Penn- moving to New York. There, Christine danced as sylvania Ballet including numerous principal a guest artist with and performed roles in works by , John Cranko, for President George H.W. Bush at Ford’s Theatre. Paul Taylor, Peter Martins, , Jorma She then spent one year with American Repertory Elo, , Meredith Rainey, , Ballet before joining Pennsylvania Ballet from 1993 and Jerome Robbins. In 2005, Neenan to 2006. Cox has premiered works by a co-founded BalletX with fellow dancer Christine Cox. number of gifted choreographers, including Ib Anderson, , James In 2007, he was named Choreographer in Residence at the Pennsylvania Kudelka, John McFall, Trey McIntyre, Matthew Neenan, Kevin O'Day, David Ballet. Neenan’s has been featured and performed by BalletX, Parsons, Kirk Peterson, and Christopher Wheeldon. Some of her featured roles Pennsylvania Ballet, , , , include Rum and Coca Cola in Paul Taylor's Company B, Vortex in Alvin Ailey's Milwaukee Ballet, , , Juilliard Dance, New The River, Choleric in George Balanchine's , Eve in York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute, Sacramento Ballet, Nevada Ballet 's Rodin, Mis En Vie the Cowgirl in Agnes DeMille's Rodeo, and Theatre, Indiana University, Opera Philadelphia, and LaGuardia High School of principal female roles in Jerome Robbins' Fancy Free and The Concert. Prior Performing Arts, among others. Neenan has received numerous to retiring as a full-time company member in 2006, she staged Matthew Neenan's awards and grants for his choreography from the National Endowment for the 11:11 on Pennsylvania Ballet and rehearsed the company for the premiere at Arts, Dance Advance funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Choo San Goh New York City Center. For ten years, she served as the rehearsal assistant of the Foundation, and Independence Foundation. He is a four-time recipient of the children’s corp for Pennsylvania Ballet’s annual production of George Balanchine’s Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Fellowship, the winner of Sacramento Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Christine continues to teach and choreograph at University of Capital Choreography Competition, and the first recipient of the Jerome Robbins the Arts. Her talent has been recognized with two Rocky Awards for outstanding New Essential Works Program Fellowship for his work At the border for Penn- achievement in the arts, as well as fellowships from the Independence Foundation sylvania Ballet. Since 2010, Matthew sits on the board of Dance/USA. (2002) and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (2006 and 2008). In Matthew’s choreography has been praised in The New York Times, The Dance 2005, Cox co-founded BalletX with Matthew Neenan and is the visionary behind Journal, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Philadelphia Magazine. Alastair Macau- the company’s continuing success. Her leadership has been instrumental in lay has singled him out as “one of today’s foremost dance poets.” establishing BalletX’s community outreach initiatives, including The X-Process and Dance eXchange, as well as overseeing the development of the administrative and artistic staff. Christine is the proud mother of two young sons.

PRESENTER TESTIMONIALS

“BalletX is simply and wonderfully unique-from “BalletX is one of my favorite companies in the their thrilling performances on the stage to their nation to work with both as a choreographer meaningful community work, they represent what and as a presenter. They are a compelling contemporary ballet can be in the 21st century.” company that has a wide breadth of sophisticated Damien Woetzel international repertory and exquisite dancers. Vail International Dance Festival I have presented the company twice at the Laguna Dance Festival in California, and each time they “It was wonderful to have you and your bring the audience to their feet with stunning talented company in Akron. The performance dancers, diverse programming and a fantastic was remarkable and the audience certainly vision, all in one!” loved it. The rousing and continuous [standing] Jodie Gates ovation was followed by many emails and phone Vice Dean and Director of USC Kaufman School of Dance calls praising BalletX.” Pamela Young “BalletX is everything that is good with Executive Director of DANCECleveland American dance. Talented. Accessible. Creative.” Michael Uthoff “Within the first 8 bars I knew this was a clean, Artistic and Executive Director of Dance St. Louis technically stunning, articulate company- the rest of the evening I could sit back and smile, “The quality of the performance coupled with comfortable and confident in the knowledge that the fresh originality of such intriguing and new this sharp engaging ensemble of performers was choreography led to an evening that enchanted going to deliver a memorable evening of dance all audience members. This was a marvelous for the Hope and Holland communities.” performance truly enriching the lives of a nearly Linda Graham sold out house filled with community members Chair of Hope College Department of Dance and students.” Dr. Paula Rubenstein Coordinator of Cultural Affairs at Westchester Community College

TOURING REPERTOIRE TOURING REPERTOIRE TALSIKAN INSTANTLY BOUND PREMIERE: February 18, 2015 CHOREOGRAPHY: Norbert De La Cruz III PREMIERE: April 17, 2013 CHOREOGRAPHY: Olivier Wevers MUSIC: Composed by Ben Juodvalkis TIME: 25 Minutes MUSIC: Klimek, Ezekiel Honig, Jóhann Jóhannsson “Language falls short of the wonder of [BalletX’s] performance” Thinking Dance DANCERS: 6 TIME: 17 minutes “Instantly Bound is inspired by loss – but also by the birth of the accidental community MALASANGRE formed by the people who have been touched by such a tragedy.” Olivier Wevers COMPANY PREMIERE: February 18, 2015 CHOREOGRAPHY: Cayetano Soto MUSIC: La Lupe TIME: 13 Minutes SWITCH PHASE PREMIERE: August 6, 2012 CHOREOGRAPHY: Matthew Neenan “The movement vocabulary has a rich consistency that is sure to trap you.” Broad Street Review MUSIC: Brooklyn Rider DANCERS: 8 TIME: 28 minutes “The dance style, appealing, combines idiosyncratic arm gestures, a powerfully bending use of the torso, lively ballet legwork and many different uses of the floor.” INCREASING The New York Times PREMIERE: August 4, 2014 CHOREOGRAPHY: Matthew Neenan MUSIC: Franz Schubert DANCERS: 10 TIME: 19 Minutes MASHUP “…vulnerable, openhearted and, above all, marvelously free” The New York Times PREMIERE: July 11, 2012 CHOREOGRAPHY: Adam Hougland MUSIC: Big Daddy DANCERS: 5 TIME: 27 minutes GRAN PARTITA “[Hougland’s] choreography strikes me as the perfect way to introduce non-theatre PREMIERE: November 19, 2014 CHOREOGRAPHY: Jorma Elo goers to the world of classical ballet” The Dance Journal MUSIC: Alban Berg, Mozart, Claudio Monteverdi, Nathan Milstein, Johann Sebastian Bach DANCERS: 10 TIME: 25 Minutes DELICATE BALANCE “Fresh and raw” The Dance Journal PREMIERE: APRIL 13, 2012 CHOREOGRAPHY: JODIE GATES

MUSIC: Arvo Pärt, Henryk Gorecki, Gavin Byers & David Lang, SLUMP Max Richter DANCERS: 10 TIME: 21 minutes COMPANY PREMIERE: February 12, 2014 CHOREOGRAPHY: Joshua L. Peugh “The dancers of BalletX look sleek in a style derived from William Forsythe, a mentor to Ms. Gates.” The New York Times MUSIC: Klezmer Juice, Yma Sumac, Ella Fitzgerald DANCERS: 8 TIME: 14 minutes “[Slump is] a comedy of frivolous, sexually provocative manners” CASTRATI Dallas Morning News PREMIERE: July 20, 2011 CHOREOGRAPHY: Annabelle Lopez Ochoa MUSIC: David van Bouwel, Nicola Antionio Porpora, Friedrich Handel DANCERS: 7 TIME: 25 minutes “Castrati reflects on the phenomena of the castrated singers during the 16th-18th century in Spain and Italy.” Annabelle Lopez Ochoa TOURING REPERTOIRE TOURING REPERTOIRE IT’S NOT A CRY LARGO PREMIERE: July 20, 2011 CHOREOGRAPHY: Amy Seiwert PREMIERE: April 4, 2009 CHOREOGRAPHY: Edwaard Liang MUSIC: Jeff Buckley (cover of “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen) MUSIC: J.S. Bach, Goldberg Variations DANCERS: 6 TIME: 20 minutes DANCERS: 2 TIME: 7 minutes “This is a sophisticated work in the Balanchine manner, with totally abstract movement “Amy Seiwert displayed dance at its most powerful for distilling human experience to intersecting perfectly with music to suggest a storyline when none is given.” its essence.” Broad Street Review Philadelphia City Paper BARE STILL@LIFE PREMIERE: July 23, 2008 CHOREOGRAPHY: Annabelle Lopez Ochoa PREMIERE: July 20, 2011 CHOREOGRAPHY: Annabelle Lopez Ochoa MUSIC: J.S. Bach, Wassenaer DANCERS: 9 TIME: 24 minutes MUSIC: Gustavo Santaolalla DANCERS: 2 TIME: 7 minutes “Bare, adjective: open to view; unconcealed; undisguised.” Annabelle Lopez Ochoa “Playful and buoyant. [The dancers] come to life and explode into vibrant colors.” Broad Street Review BESIDE MYSELF RISK OF FLIGHT PREMIERE: November 17, 2010 CHOREOGRAPHY: Tobin Del Cuore PREMIERE: November 4, 2007 CHOREOGRAPHY: Adam Hougland MUSIC: Ben Frost, Beats Antique, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Mason Bates MUSIC: Zoë Keating DANCERS: 10 TIME: 20 minutes & Chanticleer, Nico Muhly, Sigur Ros DANCERS: 4 TIME: 26 minutes “In [...] Risk of Flight, eight shadowy dancers leaned toward hard light from the wings “A captivating performance combining hip-hop beats and soulful rhythms creates and broke into motion that at times felt mournful. Its difficult half-lifts and turns a metaphoric journey through darkness and light.” Greater Philadelphia Tourism ended as if in stop motion.” The Philadelphia Inquirer Marketing Corporation SCENES VIEW 2 THE LAST GLASS PREMIERE: September 6, 2006 CHOREOGRAPHY: Jorma Elo PREMIERE: July 21, 2010 CHOREOGRAPHY: Matthew Neenan MUSIC: J.S. Bach MUSIC: Beirut DANCERS: 10 TIME: 24 minutes DANCERS: 7 TIME: 20 minutes “[Matthew Neenan’s The Last Glass] creates a world both social and psychological, public and private, and it connects ballet to the language of today movingly.” “Elo possesses the instincts of a storyteller and the theatricality of his The New York Times European roots.” Broad Street Review SILT BROKE APART PREMIERE: September 6, 2006 CHOREOGRAPHY: Matthew Neenan PREMIERE: November 19, 2009 CHOREOGRAPHY: Alex Ketley MUSIC: Joanna Newsom, Cynthia Hopkins, Martha Wainwright, MUSIC: Musical collage by Tar@JMB – Chris Clark, Cyndi Lauper, She-Haw SET DESIGN: Matt Pappajohn Giovanni Pergolesi, Arvo Part DANCERS: 6 TIME: 19 minutes “The 20 minutes of movement in Alex Ketley’s mesmerizing Silt expressed more DANCERS: 7 TIME: 22 minutes about the human condition than most playwrights achieve with two hours of text.” “A modern ballet with beautiful lifts, turns, jumps, and connecting moves.” Broad Street Review The Philadelphia Inquirer SUNSET, o639 HOURS PREMIERE: July 9, 2014 CHOREOGRAPHY: Matthew Neenan SET DESIGN: Maiko Matsushima MUSIC: Composed by Rosie Langabeer DANCERS: 10 MUSCIANS: 4 TIME: 80 minutes A truly unique performance experience choreographed by Matthew Neenan, Sunset o639 Hours includes original live music, composed by Rosie Langabeer. Neenan uses his unique ability to bring stories to life through movement to convey the love, loss and bravery of pilot Edwin Musick’s 1938 inaugural airmail flight across the Pacific. On stage, the 10 company dancers and 4 live musicians seamlessly embody the story’s many characters. This transformative ballet has left tearful audiences cheering on their feet. Matthew Neenan’s “fresh, touching, musical, original” choreography “creates a coherent, poetic realm of the imagination.” New York Times “Riveting!” Crystal L. Sturt, Facebook

BEASTS PREMIERE: November 18, 2015 CHOREOGRAPHY: Nicolo Fonte SET DESIGN: Mimi Lien MUSIC: Henrik Schwarz, Joby Talbot, Ella Fitzgerald, Ólafur Arnalds, Pete Townshend, Bryce Dessner, Pink FULL-LENGTH REPERTOIRE Martini, Ólafur Arnalds and Alice Sara Ott, Patti Smith, Debussy DANCERS: 10 TIME: 40 minutes with 20 minute intermission In Beasts, Nicolo Fonte explores the sociological concept of nature and nurture, melding a variety of dance styles and societal themes. Featuring sets designed by McArthur Fellow Mimi Lien, and supported by music as varied as the questions it poses, this evocative ballet explores the animal instincts that drive us, and the emotions that keep us human. “Wonderful, wonderful - and yet again - wonderful. [Beasts] was so good, I wanted to see it again while it was still happening.” The Philadelphia Inquirer. “Performance to be remembered for a lifetime.” Lynda Cass Kelly, Facebook

BEAUTIFUL DECAY PREMIERE: July 10, 2013 CHOREOGRAPHY: Nicolo Fonte MUSIC: Antonio Vivaldi, Max Richter, Ólafur Arnalds DANCERS: 12 TIME: 76 minutes This ballet explores the aging body with a multi-generational cast of dancers. The musical selections evoke the passage of time, and an impressive set by McArthur Fellow Mimi Lien allows the dancers to move through different stages of life. Beautiful Decay gets at the truth of the human experience, in two acts. “…the sheer professionalism of all 12 performers, and the emotional impact of the evening, are undeniable.” The Philadelphia Inquirer “Our first full-length ballet by a visiting choreographer moved me in ways that words cannot express.” Christine Cox

*Contact Lois Welk, [email protected], regarding all special requirements. PROGRAM INFORMATION OUTREACH & WORKSHOPS In addition to engaging audiences with stunning new work, BalletX enriches the BOOKING BalletX dance-going experience with education and outreach programs that strive to Contact Lois Welk, [email protected] ignite expression and build enthusiasm for the arts in audiences of all ages. Engaging repertoire for your audiences With a company of world-class dancers and a unique repertoire of works by Dance eXchange diverse and distinguished choreographers, BalletX presents dynamic program- CHILDREN AGES 5-12 ming that showcases contemporary ballet for today’s dance patrons. The Dance eXchange, launched in 2014, is an educational outreach program that company’s repertoire includes works for up to 10 dancers and features a wide expands BalletX’s reach in the community. Based on the award-winning meth- range of musical selections ranging from Bach to Beirut. Full evening-length odology of the National Dance Institute in New York City, Dance eXchange takes performances and abbreviated performances can be designed for audiences of BalletX teaching artists and live musicians into the classroom, where they use all ages and backgrounds. dance to build students’ self-confidence and set goals for personal standards of excellence. This program can be adapted to accommodate ages 5-12, and Technical Requirements: requires a live musician supplied by the presenter. ≥ Even wood floor, preferably sprung (must not be concrete floor)* ≥ Marley dance flooring covering entire dance surface Inside the Mind of a Dancer ≥ Minimum stage dimensions 40 ft. wide by 40 ft. deep ALL AGES, NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY ≥ Sound system with CD player and auxiliary plugin Inside the Mind of a Dancer is a unique lecture and demonstration designed for ≥ Standard lighting set-up including side light capabilities participants to experience the perspective, insights, and mindset of a profes- ≥ Minimum 4 hour tech time (not including set up of lighting and floor) sional ballet dancer through creative thinking, basic ballet technique, and For specific performance requirements expression through movement. Contact Drew Billiau, Production Manager at 215-694-7661 or [email protected] Master Classes *BalletX’s Portable Dance Floor is available to rent for outdoor or non-traditional performance venues. Floor rental INTERMEDIATE THROUGH ADVANCED BALLET TRAINING fee will be added to engagement fee. Master Classes offer students the opportunity to learn classical ballet technique while exploring contemporary expression led by motivating teachers from the Bal- letX artistic staff in a traditional ballet class environment.

BalletX Repertoire Workshops INTERMEDIATE THROUGH ADVANCED BALLET TRAINING Led by the BalletX dancers and artistic staff, participants are led through a classical ballet warm-up before learning signature BalletX repertoire, where the students are exposed to the company’s methodology as well as the nuances and inflections of each choreographer’s voice.

Choreographic Workshops BEGINNER THROUGH ADVANCED BALLET TRAINING Uniquely tailored to the age and training level of each group, these workshops invite dancers to discover and develop their own artistic identities through fun and innovative exercises designed to inspire creativity in a supportive environment. CONTACTS AND ACCESS Representation: …MYSTERIOUS, Lois Welk PHONE: 607-329-0467 EMAIL: [email protected] SEXY, FUNNY, BalletX Contact Information: Artistic and Executive Director: Christine Cox PHONE: 215-917-1513 EMAIL: [email protected] AND SURPRISING. THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER Associate Artistic Director: Tara Keating PHONE: 908-425-7296 EMAIL: [email protected] Marketing and PR Specialist: Josh Olmstead PHONE: 215-893-9456 ext. 128 EMAIL: [email protected]

Production Manager: Drew Billiau PHONE: 215-694-7661 EMAIL: [email protected]

View Presenter Information and Technical Riders at: www.balletx.org/presenters Requires password. Available upon request. View Videos at: www.balletx.org/worksamples

DANCE. CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER PERFORMANCES THE INFECTIOUS. OF THEIR PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINEPHILADELPHIA

VIVACITY WAS WAS THE DANCE JOURNAL THE DANCE …explosive, athletic athletic …explosive, dance that leaves the the dance that leaves audience speechless…

[A] daring

SUPERB SUPERB and non-

traditional

approach to ballet.

. A EVENING OF PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY : Alexander Iziliaev, Bill Hebert Iziliaev, : Alexander

BalletX 265 SOUTH BROAD STREET PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, 19107 www.BalletX.org DESIGN : Modern Good PHOTOGRAPHY