BalletX - 6abc Loves the Arts

BalletX was founded a decade ago by former Pennsylvania Ballet dancers Christine Cox and Matthew Neenan to push the boundaries of classical ballet, "We really wanted to take risks and do things that were challenging and different," explains co-founder Christine Cox, "and create a home where choreographers could come and make original dances."

BalletX is now the resident dance company at the Wilma Theater.

Their Summer Series 2016 is a tech-infused combination of contemporary ballet and virtual design, with world premiere works, including one by BalletX co-founder Matthew Neenan, who is also resident choreographer for the Pennsylvania Ballet.

"Matthew Neenan will be creating a work inspired on the life of a dear friend of ours, Tony Hamilton, who passed away from Alzheimer's," says Cox, "So he's really exploring the idea of memory and how it plays in our life."

That's the first half of the program. The second half is a work called Bonzi, created by International choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.

"She's doing a piece inspired by Rene Magritte, the surrealist artist. So we have really different inspirations, and really different pieces," and Cox says both dances will feature visual art from the Philadelphia-based design company Klip Collective, "They do extraordinary work. They've created work at Longwood Gardens; they've projected images on City Hall."

Cox says it elevates the performance beyond just a dance.

"This is almost like a third choreographer when you bring in this visual design element," says Cox, "So I'm really excited, and I anticipate the audience is really going to be blown away."

BalletX performs their Summer Series July 6-17 at the Wilma Theater. For tickets and show times go to BalletX.org.