Second Company
The Ballet 5:8 Second Company is a group of young professional artists affiliated with the Ballet 5:8 professional company.
Ballet 5:8’s Second Company is a group of exceptional young artists affiliated with Ballet 5:8. Ten exclusive Second Company positions give talented artists with professional potential a company experience as a final stepping stone to joining Ballet 5:8 or other professional companies.
The Ballet 5:8 Second Company is the next generation of dancing artists of faith.
The Ballet 5:8 Second Company is a major part of the mission of Ballet 5:8. The dancers main job is to represent Ballet 5:8 in the community by giving public performances of their own repertoire, as well as appearing in performances with the main company in Chicagoland and on tour. The dancers perform a diverse mix of classical and contemporary choreography. They also appear in outreach performances, lecture demonstrations and other community involvement initiatives.
Open by audition only to dancers with a strong background in classical and contemporary ballet*, the Ballet 5:8 Second Company is a one to two year position. The Second Company is a full-time program with 40hrs/week of classes and rehearsals. While dancers pay a modest tuition for their classes, they are also awarded stipends when they are cast to perform with the professional company. Dancers are not charged for time spent in Company Rehearsals.
*Applicants who are not selected for Second Company positions may receive a contract in the Ballet 5:8 Trainee Program with the potential to progress to a Second Company position the following season.
Audition
Audition Deadline is March 31st | Apply by February 15th for Priority Consideration
First-round applications are accepted via video or in person during the Audition Tour.
A second-round audition at Ballet 5:8 studios is by invitation only.
“I have grown more in these two years of the trainee company than I could have ever imagine! The hard work and knowledge I have received is irreplaceable.”
“I almost wonder what haven’t I gained from being able to work first-hand along side professionals. I’ve learned a lot in terms of how to be a good understudy and the precision of corps work, but I think the most valuable has been learning how to navigate company life and balancing that with my life outside of the studio. It’s a wholly different world from being in a pre-professional program.”
*Graduates of the former Trainee II program, the precursor to the Second Company. The Second Company debuted in the 2020/21 Season
The Second Company begins their season each year in July during Ballet 5:8’s Professional Intensive. Incoming dancers attend all five-weeks of the summer program in order to familiarize themselves with Ballet 5:8’s repertoire and style ahead of the performing season. Dancers are evaluated twice each year and receive detailed feedback on their progress within the program. Second Company members receive mentoring throughout the year to move toward their future goals. Second Company members are given first consideration for any open positions with the Ballet 5:8 professional company and are also equipped to pursue contracts with other professional companies.
Artistic Staff
Ballet 5:8 Artistic Staff members are all current or former professional dancers. They bring ample technical knowledge and professional performing experience to the program, challenging and enabling dancers to make the final technical and artistic leap from student to professional.
Alumni
Ballet 5:8 Second Company graduates receive first consideration for open positions with the Ballet 5:8 professional company, as well as individual career & audition counseling.
Program Graduates
Alaina Beard | Natalie Chinn | Chance Ennis* | Kayla Kowach | Valerie Linsner* | Lydia Lund | Alisa Nipp | Laura Peterman Willis* | Emily Ratkos* | Melanie Rodrigues* | Katelyn Roth | Miranda Rubio* | Ruth Sevlie | Sophia Snider | Ford Tackett | James Wainwright* | Rachel Walker | Caedence Sajdowitz | Katrina Clarke
*This listing includes graduates of the former Trainee II program, the precursor to the Second Company. The Second Company debuted in the 2020/21 Season.
FAQ
Q. Are there rankings within the Second Company?
A. No, only ten positions are available in the Second Company.
Q. What is the Second Company schedule?
A. A full schedule of classes is offered each day from approximately 9:30a-4:30p. Get a feel for what the Second Company schedule is like here.
Q. Do Second Company members pay tuition?
A. Second Company members pay tuition of $3,250 per year. Along with donor funding, this makes it possible for Second Company members to work with guest choreographers dance some of their own repertoire, attend selected Trainee level classes, and accompany the professional company on tour.
Q. Do Second Company members get paid?
A. Second Company members who are chosen to perform in professional performances receive a small per-performance stipend. Stipends vary slightly depending on the circumstances surrounding each performance.
Q. Do Second Company members eventually take on positions with the professional company?
A. Yes, graduates are now dancing with the Ballet 5:8 professional company. Other graduates have gone on to perform with companies around the U.S. Second Company members are given first consideration for professional contracts, though contracts are not guaranteed.
Q. Are Second Company Members required to attend Summer Intensive?
A. Yes, Second Company dancers are required to attend Ballet 5:8’s Professional Intensive in order to prepare for the upcoming season. Dancers learn company repertoire and adapt to Ballet 5:8’s style and mission during the summer in order to start performing in early fall.
Q. Is housing provided as part of the Second Company?
A. Second Company members are responsible for their own housing. They typically live in area houses and apartments with other trainees and/or Ballet 5:8 company dancers as roommates. Ballet 5:8 staff is able to recommend potential roommates to new dancers who request housing. Dancers are not allowed to live alone and must have their housing approved by Ballet 5:8 staff.
Q. Can Second Company members work?
A. Yes, dancers often hold paying jobs outside of their class and performance schedules in order to cover the cost of their living expenses. Second Company members can work on weeknights and on weekends when there are no performances scheduled. One important thing to keep in mind is that schedules are sometimes inconsistent during heavy performance seasons. Finding an employer who is understanding and willing to schedule around performances is crucial.
Q. Can Second Company members get out of certain classes if they need to work?
A. No, dancers are required to attend all scheduled classes, rehearsals and performances.
Q. Can Second Company members support themselves?
A. Yes, dancers can work to support themselves financially during their time in the program. Nonetheless, we do recommend that they arrange for some support from family or friends to assist with tuition and/or living expenses if at all possible. Because working hours available outside of the Second Company can vary throughout the year, being at least partially supported can greatly reduce stress and exhaustion during the program and can result in an experience that is much more positive and productive overall.
Q. Can Second Company members attend college classes?
A. Yes, some dancers choose to attend night and distance learning college courses outside of their class and performance schedules.
Q. What if I have questions that aren’t on this list?
Call us at 312.725.4752 or email info@ballet58.org.