BalletX dances coast to coast

70629625

Christine Cox began training as a ballerina at age 10, which, she said, “is pretty late.” After a long career dancing on stages from Pennsylvania to Ohio, she and fellow dancer Matthew Neenan launched Ballet X.

“We wanted to put in a company that was based in classical ballet and was about all new choreography from around the world,” Cox, who co-founded the business in 2005, said. “We wanted a ballet company that was structured around new work, bringing in classical but drawing a contemporary sense of it, a contemporary feel.”

Cox, who moved to 21st and Catharine streets four years ago, is now co-directing the troupe’s newest production, “Spring Series 2012,” running at the Wilma Theater April 18 to 22.

“We’re really excited about the world premiere of Jodie Gates,” Cox, 42, said. “It’s electric and passionate and very physical and athletic. And it’s pushing the dancers. It’s exciting to see. And, for us, the piece is taking us to the Joyce Theater in New York City for the first time.”

The company will present the series, which consists of three pieces, at the Wilma and then at the Joyce in June. The other works rounding out the performances are by Edwaard Liang and Neenan.

“What I love about this program is the diversity of the music,” the South of South resident, who codirects all of the company’s productions with Neenan, of Gerritt and Dickinson streets, said. “Mathew and I think it’s fun to present a wide range of movement, sounds and styles.”

As part of the upcoming Philadelphia production, BalletX received support from the Knight Foundation for eXpand the eXperience, which will feature “pop-up” performances by local artists.

“We were able to invite other community performers to do random acts of culture, so maybe at intermission and before the show. It’s an opportunity to expand the whole night into almost a mini festival,” Cox said, though they are keeping the details a surprise. “And dance photography in the lobby, that’s the plan.”

Along with the innovative format Cox stresses that BalletX is a refreshing performance for classical fans and the uninitiated.

“I often hear of people’s perception of what ballet is and they say someone drags them in to see our performance and they leave bouncing out of the seat, saying ‘I’ve never seen a ballet like that before in my life. If I’d known, I would have been going to it for years,’” she said.

Cox grew up in West Philly, where she began her craft as early as she can remember.

“I don’t think you could ever stop me from dancing. I was dancing from when I was very young. My family loved dance and music, so we’d dance in our living room together,” she said. “My parents were very social and they’d throw parties and I’d always love dancing. I used to perform for friends and family on Christmas Eve — you couldn’t stop me from dancing.”

It makes sense, then, that she followed in her sister Linda’s footsteps when she finally chose to start formal training.

“My sister went to study adult ballet and I remember going with her to one class and that’s when I decided, with my mother, to go,” Cox said.

She began her studies at the School of Pennsylvania Ballet where she continued for seven years before she was selected for a company position.

“I was fortunate to start dancing professionally at the age of 17. I moved to Columbus, Ohio, to dance with a company called BalletMet,” Cox said.

After a handful of years at BalletMet, she made a quick stop for a year to dance in New York City before returning to Philly.

“I never wanted to leave; I wasn’t accepted [to the Pennsylvania Ballet] when I was 17 even though I was dancing with the company as a student for two years,” she said. “I wasn’t — the director at the time, I was not his [favorite] dancer. Fortunately, time passed and I grew a lot as an artist and just took some time. The director that took over the company after really liked me.”

Cox danced with the Pennsylvania Ballet until ’06, and when she left, she and Neenan had already hit the ground running with BalletX. The two dove full force into the many facets of running a successful venture.

“It’s so much work and it’s actually just turning out to be more work than I ever anticipated, which is great,” she said. “I did not plan 10 years ago, ‘Let’s start a ballet company.’ It was a twist of fate and saying ‘yes’ to an opportunity.”

Today BalletX boasts 10 dancers, including Tara Keating of 21st and Christian streets, and a steady influx of choreographers who’d like to work with the group. Though they are still in search of a permanent space — while they currently practice at The Rock School, 1101 S. Broad St. — the Wilma residency that began in ’07 has set an interesting precedent for the other local troupes.

“Our relationship with the Wilma, I think a lot of people are looking at how well this collaboration has worked. Other organizations have taken notice and how this is really a terrific opportunity for both organizations,” Cox said. “They have been very gracious and generous in opening their doors for us.”

The company is continuing to expand and though Philadelphia is home, they are taking their art on the road. The company will be performing at the Laguna Dance Festival in California April 13 to 15, Spring to Dance Festival in St. Louis May 25, Vail International Dance Festival in Colorado Aug. 5 to 8 and New York City Summer Stage in Central Park Aug. 15.

The directors are already looking a head to ’13, and Cox is considering the first New York City residency, as well as an exciting new project already in the works.

“Next year we’re going to present a work, if we can raise enough money, an outstanding work by Nicolo Fonte. It’s about the aging process and just how beautiful a ballet could be that would showcase and address what we’re all going through in different stages in our life,” Cox said. “We’re inviting two senior, significantly older dancers to be a part of the project.

“I’m looking forward to that. We’re looking for support in the community to make that happen. We’d have sets for the first time so we’d be taking it to the next level.” SPR

Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.

70629615
70629635