The Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet company, BalletX, led by artistic director and executive Christine Cox, on its SCFTA debut on Saturday, October 16 at 7:30 p.m.

The Centre’s program includes “Increasing” (2014) choreographed by Mathew Neenan to music by Franz Schubert; “Napoléon / Napoléon” (2018) choreographed by Cayetano Soto to music by Aram Khatchatourian, Vivaldi, Chostakovich, Antonio Machín and Chavela Vargas; and “Steep Drop, Euphoric” (2019) choreographed by Nicolo Fonte to music by Ezio Bosso, Ólafur Arnalds

Of the repertoire, the New York Times said of “Increasing” “… vulnerable, open-hearted and, most importantly, wonderfully free … [the BalletX dancers] as emotional, both private and social; their unfolding world is swept away by the changing current of music. The Dance Journal has said of “Napoleon / Napoleon”, “A lofty conceptual farce …” Napoleon / Napoleon “is a dazzling parade of egocentric childishness. Hello everyone, Emperor! ”From“ Sleep Drop Euphoric, ”Thinking Dance said,“ Joyfully difficult and technically difficult… This is what dancing can be, Fonte seems to say, and isn’t it glorious ? “and the Philly Gay Calendar said:” Sleep, Drop, Euphoric ‘is beautiful work that must be seen “

Now in its 16th season, BalletX has ushered in creativity and innovation on major stages including the Kennedy Center, the Joyce Theater and Jacob’s Pillow, and has quickly become the “IT company” to watch.

Founded in 2005 by Christine Cox and Matthew Neenan, BalletX is directed by Cox, whose tenure as artistic director and executive produced more than 100 world premieres by nearly 60 choreographers, a record “few companies can match”. according to the New York Times. Under Cox’s direction, BalletX has been hailed as an “epicenter of creation” (Dance Magazine) and a “place of choreographic innovation” (The New Yorker), placing Philadelphia on the map as an international destination for ballet. contemporary.

With the support of unique donors, subscribers and ticket buyers, BalletX has grown to reach over 150,000 spectators nationwide during performance seasons, free pop-ups in the Philadelphia area and numerous tours to places as prestigious as the Vail Dance Festival, Ballet Sun Valley, The Joyce Theater, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, New York City Center, Laguna Dance Festival, Bermuda Festival, Belgrade Festival and many more.

BalletX has reached over 2,000 Philadelphia public school students through an in-school dance education program, Dance eXchange, and countless patrons through our engagement initiative, The X-Process, with open rehearsals and discussions with our renowned choreographers and guest artists.

BalletX took even deeper roots in the spring of 2018 with the opening of its very first home – a stunning 5,000 square foot studio and administrative headquarters named the Center for World Premiere Choreography. Located just off Philadelphia Avenue of the Arts, the center was designed by local company ISA and recently won an impressive AIA Merit Award for Interiors.

In 2020, the company launched an online streaming platform, BalletX Beyond, showcasing world premiere dance films by choreographers from around the world. 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, The Wyncote Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The Jerome Robbins New Essential Works (NEW) Program , by John S. and James L. Knight. Foundation, Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, and PECO, among others.

BalletX is one of the three most innovative North American dance companies to come to Orange County. In addition to recent Alonzo King LINES (September 11) and Parsons Dance Company (November 20), the Center hosts an extraordinary range of performances ranging from modern dance to contemporary ballet. “Each of these companies was chosen to open our season because of the quality of the dancers and the unique style of the choreographers. Nothing can compare to the excitement of live dancing. The choreography is imaginative and each company has its own style. Dancing is the perfect way to start our comeback season on the Segerstrom Hall stage. It’s an experience not to be missed! ”Shares Judy Morr, Executive Vice President.

Next, Parsons Dance Company will take center stage on November 20 for its debut at the Center as one of the world’s leading modern / contemporary dance companies, Parsons Dance is internationally recognized for its remarkably athletic and cheerful style. “It’s kind of a dancing business (anytime, no excuses)” (The New York Times).

Single tickets for BalletX at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts start at $ 39 and are now available online at SCFTA.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, or by calling (714) 556-2787 . For information on group ticket reductions for 10 or more people, call the Group Services office at (714) 755-0236.

Public Notice: Our updated COVID-19 policy requires ticket holders to provide full proof of COVID-19 vaccination to attend all indoor shows and events at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. “Fully vaccinated” means your performance is at least 14 days after your last dose of vaccine. To enter the room, please bring proof of vaccination, either your physical vaccination card, a photo of your vaccination card or a digital vaccination card. Most California residents can request a digital vaccination record at myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov

Those under 12 and anyone without proof of being fully vaccinated must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test performed within 72 hours (3 days) before entering the theater. Masks are mandatory at all times for all clients and visitors, regardless of their immunization status, in all interior spaces of the Segerstrom Center. Show ticket holders who do not comply with these policies will not be admitted.