Contemporary ballet company BalletX of Philadelphia closes a wildly successful season with its Summer Series 2012, featuring World Premieres by choreographers Adam Hougland and Darrell Grand Moultrie and the return of Tobin del Cuore’s popular piece Beside Myself, created for BalletX in 2010.  BalletX will perform its Summer Series on Wednesday through Sunday, July 11-15, at The Wilma Theater where it enjoys its honored status as the resident dance company.

BalletX Co-Artistic Director Christine Cox noted two common threads among the three pieces.  “Each of our choreographers was trained at Juilliard, which produces some of the world’s greatest dance talent.  It will be exciting to see whether that common training is evident in their work.”  She also pointed out that each of the pieces would use the set created by scenic designer Matt Saunders for the Wilma’s ongoing production of Tony Kushner’s play Angels in America. Literally a white canvas, the set will allow BalletX to transform its regular stage into three distinct places that all come from different points of inspiration.  The illumination of the space will also play a significant role in that transformation as will the talents of Lighting Designer Drew Billiau and Costume Designer Martha Chamberlain.

Adam Hougland returns to BalletX this summer with a world premiere set to seven songs by the parody band Big Daddy.  According to Hougland, “Big Daddy was this sort of bizarre tribute group in the 1980′s that performed current pop songs in a really fun, kitschy 1950′s style.  The dancers will wear real clothes, not dance wear, and everything will look very dark, very rebellious.”

Hougland has created five critically-acclaimed original works for The Louisville Ballet and was named Resident Choreographer for Cincinnati Ballet in 2009.  His piece, Risk of Flight, premiered by BalletX in the fall of 2007.

The Series will also feature Differences in Sections by Darrell Grand Moultrie, which will feature the music of classical composer Kenji Burn.  Moultrie says the piece “is tailor-made to showcase the very unique qualities of this small amazing company. I am excited about stretching boundaries for this Philly premiere.”

Moultrie is a recipient of the Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship and, in October 2010, was invited to participate in Sacramento Ballet’s Capital Choreography Competition.  His stellar work took home both the judges’ and audiences’ awards.

The final work in the series is Beside Myself by Tobin Del Cuore.  Inspired by consciousness and the complexities of human nature, Del Cuore dissects the sensation that arises from being self-aware.  A filmmaker, dancer, and choreographer, Del Cuore has danced with Hubbard Street Dance, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Nederlands Dans Theatre, the Paul Taylor Dance Company, and more.  He has staged works for Alejandro Cerrudo in both Denmark and Australia and took part in a tour to the U.K. while dancing with the Mark Morris Dance Group.  Del Cuore currently dances for Aszure Barton.

“BalletX is gem of Philadelphia,” remarks Del Coure. “As it continues to grow, I hope it will be recognized in the same manner by the rest of the dance world.”

The Summer Series will also give fans of BalletX a chance to say goodbye to retiring artist Anitra N. Keegan, who joined BalletX in 2007 and has performed in every production.  In a long and successful career, Anitra has danced with the Pennsylvania Ballet Company, Ohio Ballet Company, and American Repertory Ballet Company.  “She was a pillar of BalletX,” Said Co-Artistic Director, Matthew Neenan, “and we will miss her very much.”

Special Events:  During Summer Series 2012, BalletX will feature special two on-stage question and answer periods, allowing audience members to have a conversation with the artistic staff, choreographers, and company dancers.

Performance Dates/Times:
|Wednesday, July 11, 8:00 PM, Opening Night, with pre-performance Q&A at 7:00 PM
Thursday, July 12, 8:00 PM
Friday, July 13, 8:00 PM
Saturday, July 14, 2:00 PM, with post-performance Q&A
Saturday, July 14, 8:00 PM
Sunday, July 15, 2:00 PM

About BalletX – Founded in 2005, BalletX is an innovative and adventurous company that produces sophisticated and striking choreography reflective of a vision to integrate athleticism, emotion, and intimacy.  Recognizing the synergistic power of artistic collaboration, BalletX taps into the creativity and passion of a diverse pool of U.S. and international choreographers who produce work that is both surprising and compelling.