Media Contact: Allie Vanyur Marketing & Communications Manager (215) 893-9456 ext. 128 [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BALLETX ANNOUNCES CHOREOGRAPHIC FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM Providing Mentorship to a Selected Emerging Choreographer Philadelphia, PA—BalletX, Philadelphia’s Premier Contemporary Ballet and the Resident Dance Company of the Wilma Theater, announces a new initiative that offers mentorship and choreographic experience to a selected emerging artist in the field. The Choreographic Fellowship is generously funded by a grant from the Wyncote Foundation that supports the commencement and progression of the program over the next three years. Choreographers may apply for the opportunity to work under the guidance of world-renowned choreographer and chosen mentor Trey McIntyre. The selected Fellow and Trey McIntyre will each create a world premiere ballet on the company that will debut on the same program during BalletX’s 2015-2016 Ten Year Anniversary Season. BalletX has developed a reputation for commissioning new work from both established choreographers and promising young talent, producing over 50 world premiere ballets in just nine seasons. Pairing the Fellow and Mentor will provide a platform for artistic growth in both choreographers, initiating a dialogue about their approach, perspective, and process. This new program deepens BalletX’s commitment to producing new work that brings the combined vision of choreographers and dancers to life and cultivates in audiences a collective appetite for bold, new dance. “At BalletX, we are passionate about the creative process”, says Artistic & Executive Director Christine Cox, “and The Choreographic Fellowship allows us to dive much deeper into the development of new work for both the emerging and established choreographer. We are invested in helping the next generation of dance makers discover their voice and build confidence in their imagination. This program provides an intimate and involved channel of communication between artists, and we are thrilled to have Trey as our first mentor to help us launch this exciting program.” One of the most sought after choreographers today, Trey McIntyre has created nearly 100 world premiere ballets during the span of his career. McIntyre is the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of the prolific multidisciplinary group The Trey McIntyre Project, and has created work on companies including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, and Miami City ballet, among others. He is known for his distinct contemporary flare within the classical ballet vocabulary and will bring a unique mentorship approach to this inaugural program. BalletX will seek the guidance of a panel of dance leaders to select the Fellow from a pool of applicants. Panelists include former New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Wendy Whelan, Director of Programming at The Joyce Theater Martin Wechsler, choreographer Jodie Gates, and BalletX Co-Founder Matthew Neenan, among others. Interested choreographers can apply by submitting a choreographic resume, work samples, and a description of their proposed work online at www.balletx.org/fellowship/. The online application is open April 20th, the deadline for applications is July 15th and the winner will be announced in early August. About BalletX: BalletX unites world-class choreographers with an outstanding company of professional dancers to forge new works of athleticism, emotion, and grace. Through the daring vision of its award-winning founders, Christine Cox and Matthew Neenan, BalletX challenges the boundaries of classical ballet by encouraging formal experimentation while preserving rigorous technique. For more information, visit www.balletx.org. BalletX 265 S. Broad Street •Philadelphia, PA · 19107 • 215-893-9456 • www.balletx.org Facebook/@BalletX • Twitter/@BalletX • YouTube/BalletXVideo• Tumblr/BalletXBlog .