BalletX Donor Feature: “We Didn’t Think Ballet Was for Us”
As BalletX celebrates its 20th Anniversary Season, we’re highlighting members of our community whose journey to dance has taken unexpected — and inspiring — turns. We’re thrilled to feature Bob and Toni Newton, who first encountered BalletX in 2019 and quickly became passionate supporters of the company.
“This was anything but traditional ballet — inventive, challenging, and impossible to ignore.”
Before discovering BalletX, what was your relationship with dance or ballet?
Before BalletX, Toni had taken tap and ballet as a kid — pretty typical at the time — and had a light, occasional interest. Bob hadn’t been exposed to dance at all and, to be honest, found most ballet (especially The Nutcracker) pretty sleep-inducing.
What drew you to attend your first BalletX performance?
We were on a business trip to San Francisco in 2019 and looking for a performance to attend one evening. Our first thought was the orchestra, which we both enjoy, but they were playing a symphony we had recently heard. Toni noticed a flyer for a modern ballet performance at the Opera House, and we thought it might be interesting.
The performance was dramatically different from anything we’d ever seen. When we returned to Philadelphia, we looked up local modern dance companies and discovered BalletX. We bought tickets to our first performance and were so impressed, we immediately made a contribution — and have attended just about every show since.
What surprised you about the experience?
The synchronization and athleticism of the dancers was immediately stunning. The way choreography, music, and lighting worked together — along with the variety of musical styles and movement — was striking. This was anything but traditional ballet: inventive, challenging, and impossible to ignore.
What inspired you to support the company?
It was immediately clear to us that BalletX is a gem of an organization — something that needed to be kept alive. Some artistic assets are truly unique and contribute to the cultural vitality of a city. BalletX is one of those assets, and we felt compelled to support it.
How has your view of dance changed since becoming part of the BalletX community?
As we’ve gotten more involved, the personal nature of the company has become more and more evident. We support other arts organizations, but BalletX stands out as especially welcoming — opening doors to behind-the-scenes experiences and sharing insights that deepen our appreciation for the dancers and their work.
What would you tell someone who thinks ballet “isn’t for them”?
We’ve brought each of our children — none of whom were really exposed to ballet growing up — and each one was captivated at their very first BalletX performance. It’s not what you might expect, and you only need to experience it once to understand how exceptional it is.
What does it mean to you to be part of BalletX as it celebrates its 20th Anniversary Season — and what are you most looking forward to?
As relatively new members of the BalletX community, we’ve met others who have given us a sense of the company’s deep history. Twenty years may not seem long, but it shows just how strong the company’s roots are — and how much it has blossomed. We’ve seen BalletX evolve and grow more stimulating each year, and we look forward to even more dynamic performances in the years ahead.
