6abc Loves the Arts: BalletX Summer Series

BalletX, the contemporary company known for pushing the boundaries of classical dance, is closing out its 11th season with Summer Series, a diverse program featuring works by two female choreographers and two world premieres.

The show kicks off with a new dance by BalletX co-founder Matthew Neenan, who is also resident choreographer for the Pennsylvania Ballet.

"My concept for the piece is about authority," explains Neenan. "And how one is in power and how another person is not."

Neenan says his piece was inspired by current world leaders and says he choreographed the dance before selecting music to compliment the work.

"I'm actually taking a bit of a risk," Neenan admits. "But with the BalletX dancers, we have a lot of trust together. So I feel like I can try new things with them."

The dancers then take on a work by former Pennsylvania Ballet dancer Jodie Gates, her third world premiere for the company. BalletX Artistic & Executive Director Christine Cox says the dance is all about discovery: "How far we can stretch classical ballet and how we can merge, you know, contemporary ideas."

The show closes with Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's Castrati. Created for BalletX, it's a commentary on the castrating of singers in Spain and Italy from the 16-18th centuries so their voices wouldn't mature.

"The piece takes place in a lab essentially," says Cox. "It dives into the mutation of their body through the dance, and it's really unusual and beautiful."

Cox says the piece is in keeping with the mission of BalletX.

"The XXX just kind of exuded the sense of adventure we were headed on," she says. "So I think the audience is really going to love this program."

BalletX performs its Summer Series July 12-16 at the Prince Theater.

For details and tickets visit www.balletX.org.