It’s ballet for a ‘new century’

Despite the large number of dance companies in Philly, Matthew Neenan thought something was missing.

“Philly is too big not to have a contemporary [ballet] company,” says the founder and co-artistic director of BalletX. “It’s trendy, it’s edgy, it’s ballet in the new century.”

Neenan founded the company in 2005 with long-time collaborator and fellow Pennsylvania Ballet and Phrenic New Ballet dancer Christine Cox. This summer’s series will feature all 10 of the company’s dancers and consists of three pieces — “Journey of the Day,” choreographed by Matthew Prescott, “Risk of Flight” by Adam Hougland, and “The Last Glass” by Neenan.

“It’s all about the work. The attitude is different from most studios,” says Prescott of working with Ballet X. “It’s not just about the end product, it’s the day-to-day experience. Its beauty translates to the stage.”