Philadelphia Dance Theatre (PDT), a classical ballet school and performing company located at the New Covenant Church campus in Mt. Airy, prioritizes community accessibility. That is why PDT will host its annual “Breaking Ground” performance for free on June 7, ensuring that anyone who wants to attend this outdoor program can do so.
Annie Fox, a 2011 PDT alum and the current company manager, said this yearly tradition is meaningful for the students, most of whom range in age from 13-18.
“We always love this concert for [the students] as an experience to show them the importance of giving back to your community and highlighting that performance is a generous act,” Fox said.
“It would be easy to charge admission, because the work is that strong, but what matters most to us is connecting with our community. … It’s so important to get people out and allow them to see what’s going on in their community and remember why live theater and live performance is such a special gift.”
Joy Delaney-Capponi, artistic director of PDT, agrees that this performance is a unique way to reach the community.
“‘Breaking Ground’ exemplifies Philadelphia Dance Theatre’s deep commitment to our mission of making concert dance accessible to our wonderful community,” Delaney-Capponi said. “What could be more accessible than free and outdoor?”
A mix of works
“Breaking Ground” features a mix of both contemporary and classical works. According to Fox, less popular works can make it harder to get an audience, but she encourages people to come and be introduced to something new.
“It’s really easy for ballet companies to sell tickets to ‘The Nutcracker’ or a well-known ballet like ‘Cinderella,’ Fox said. “Those names are recognizable and people know what they’re going to get. But it is harder to sell tickets to a mixed-bill performance with lots of contemporary works. People don’t know what they’re going to get, but these works deserve to be seen. We like to challenge audience members’ views of dance and expand their knowledge of dance.”
Among the different pieces that will be performed is “Roving,” a contemporary ballet from Eliza Griffin, PDT ’23. Giffin received the 2025 Emerging Choreographer Award from Regional Dance America (RDA), a national association of dance companies.
Lila Kushner, PDT ’18 and a Germantown Friends School (GFS) alum, will present her contemporary piece “Hem.” Kushner received RDA’s 2023 Emerging and 2024 National Choreographer Awards.
“Concerto in G,” a neoclassical pointe work with 13 dancers, will be presented by choreographer Robert Gosnell, a guest teacher from North Carolina.
Among the young performers is Maeve Carr-Lemke, a sophomore at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy who was named the 2025 Senior Classical Outstanding Soloist at RDA. She will perform a classical variation from “Raymonda.”
Penelope Madrid, a senior at GFS, will perform “Undercurrent,” a contemporary solo piece by PDT faculty Gina Shifferly.
Lastly, Marianna Laffredo, a sophomore homeschooled student from Mt. Airy, will perform a classical variation from “Don Quixote.” Laffredo was named a 2025 RDA Featured Performer.
A celebratory performance
Since 2021 — when PDT was unable to find a theater in which to perform during the COVID-19 pandemic — “Breaking Ground” has been held on PDT’s outdoor stage. Chairs are provided, but audience members can bring blankets if they prefer.
Dominic Capponi, executive director of PDT, said the outdoor show is especially fun this time of year.
“There is nothing quite like experiencing an outdoor concert between twilight and starlight,” said Capponi. “It is an enchanting atmosphere. It is the perfect way to welcome summer."
Although the event is free of charge, production costs are offset through the sale of concessions, raffle baskets, and picnic boxes at the event. Guests are welcome to bring their own beverages as well.
As a nonprofit organization, PDT also accepts donations during the show. These funds go toward tuition assistance scholarships, sensory-friendly versions of shows, choreographers for next year’s shows, and a tuition-free program for boys to encourage more of them to try out dancing.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of PDT, making this version of “Breaking Ground” extra celebratory.
“We’re trying to invite as many alumni as possible and just really use it as a time to celebrate the last 25 years and look to build momentum for the next 25 years,” Fox said. “[PDT] deserves to be celebrated.”
In addition to “Breaking Ground,” PDT also offers its acclaimed “A Philadelphia Nutcracker” every winter, and a spring ballet. Both of these shows are ticketed events.
“Breaking Ground” will be performed on June 7 at 7 p.m. at 7500 Germantown Ave. The rain date is June 8 at 7 p.m. Learn more at philadancetheatre.org.
Maggie Dougherty can be reached at Margaret@chestnuthilllocal.com.
