Underneath the open air and warmth of spring, BalletX’s Festival at Highmark Mann, June 4-5, invited audience members into a world of rebirth and renewal – a performance shaped by sound, movement, light, and design. Thank you to the over 5,000 people who joined us for two unforgettable nights of dance, music, and community, alongside the world premiere of The Four Seasons Reimagined, an epic love letter to Mother Nature.
With an original live score by Dan Deacon, costumes and scenic design by Emma Kingsbury, and lighting by Christopher Ash, the Highmark Mann transformed into an immersive landscape that carried the audience through the cycle of the seasons. Four visionary choreographers – Morgann Runacre-Temple (Summer), Penny Saunders (Fall), Jamar Roberts (Winter), and Trey McIntyre (Spring) – vividly brought each season to life before the audience’s eyes. With all tickets just $25, BalletX invited the Philadelphia community to a one-of-a-kind experience, a celebration of nature, transformation, and the ever-changing rhythm of the seasons.
Co-commissioned with ArtPhilly’s What Now: 2026 Festival and Highmark Mann, The Four Seasons Reimagined celebrated both America250 and BalletX’s 20th Anniversary Season.
In this post, take a look at highlights from the Festival, including the pre-show performances that kicked off the event, the return of #OneDanceOnePhilly, and the excitement radiating across the Highmark Mann’s campus.
Where Community Takes the Stage
Both evenings began with our pre-show performances showcasing talented dance organizations from across the region, including local dance schools, youth programs, and community groups. In celebration of the future of Philadelphia’s vibrant dance community, BalletX highlighted the passion, creativity, and dedication each organization has to offer. As performers took the stage, Highmark Mann’s campus buzzed with excitement, setting the tone for an evening of unforgettable artistry and movement. Thank you to Philly Dance Fitness, Solstice Dance Academy, Esperanza Academy, Living Arts Dance, Philadelphia Dance Academy, SunMi Ballet, I.M. Dance Academy, Bucks County Dance Center, Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center, and the Dance eXchange Dream Team for your incredible performances!
One Dance, One Philly Returns
While audience members picnicked in the warm sun prior to the start of the program, BalletX welcomed the return of One Dance, One Philly on the Highmark Mann concourse. Created as a citywide invitation to move, the choreography was designed for all ages and experience levels. Audience members learned the dance before the show began, and we were thrilled to celebrate with so many friends in our #OneDanceOnePhilly flash mob right before the performance.
Rooted in the belief that movement has the power to bring people together, One Dance, One Philly fostered a sense of community and connection, preparing the audience to step into the immersive world of The Four Seasons Reimagined.
Interested in One Dance, One Philly? Learn the dance yourself and post a video on social media tagging @BalletX and using #OneDanceOnePhilly. No matter your experience, this is your opportunity to move alongside thousands of Philadelphians and take part in a shared celebration of community and connection.
Artist Series Spotlight: Gina Triplett
At our merch booth, audience members browsed exclusive BalletX merchandise, including limited edition Festival items. Featured among the collection was a special Artist Series collaboration with Gina Triplett, who created an original piece capturing the Festival’s spirit and the ever-changing cycle of nature. Through partnerships with Philadelphia-based visual artists, BalletX continues to explore how dance can inspire creativity across disciplines while highlighting our local artist community.
Connecting Through the Young Patrons Circle
Nearby, members of our Young Patrons Circle welcomed audience members with exclusive YPC merchandise. Young Patrons Circle brings together young Philadelphians to engage in unique opportunities with BalletX through exclusive events, special access, and behind-the-scenes experiences. Both longtime members and new friends to YPC gathered to connect, reconnect, and learn more about the growing community of young professionals who share a passion for dance, art, and culture. As the program grows, YPC remains a vibrant space for building connections and engaging with BalletX both on and off stage.
The Four Seasons Reimagined Comes to Life
As the sun began to set and audience members took their seats, the program opened with Morgann Runacre-Temple’s blossoming Summer, where the dancers “created a sense of ease, and immediately, the audience was enraptured” (Critical Dance). Penny Saunders’s Fall followed, evoking the natural transition that accompanies the changing of the seasons. After a brief intermission, Act II opened with Jamar Roberts’ Winter, which explored themes of isolation beneath the weight of snow. As the dancers navigated the season’s emotional and physical demands, Critical Dance noted that “the effect was intoxicating, and the audience could not look away.” The evening concluded with Trey McIntyre’s invitation to Spring, an energetic celebration of improvisation and playfulness. Audience members were entranced by the dancer’s breathtaking movement and innovative choreography, and were reminded that “no matter how dark a moment or decade may seem, a spring of rebirth and renewal will follow” (Bachtrack).
Through “crafted scenes and costumes that seamlessly matched the tone and authenticity of each season” and lighting choices that “made a major impact on the program’s overall ambiance and in the presentation of nature’s shifts on stage” (Critical Dance), Emma Kingsbury and Christopher Ash worked in harmony to bring each season to life, culminating a night of unforgettable artistry and tribute to Mother Earth.
What’s Next?
If you missed the world premiere of The Four Seasons Reimagined at the Festival at Highmark Mann, there is still an opportunity to experience BalletX in the 20th Anniversary Season!
The company returns to the Suzanne Roberts Theatre from July 15-19 for Summer Series 2026 and the return of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s The Little Prince. Featuring a live original score by Peter Salem, The Little Prince takes audiences on a journey of adventure, storytelling, and boundless imagination. Tickets are on sale now, and we would love to see you there.
Thank you again for being a part of the Festival at Highmark Mann! It wouldn’t be possible without the support of friends like you.
