From the South Side to the suburbs, from first-generation daughters to single mothers—these stories deserve to be seen.

August 22nd at the Logan Center, South Chicago | 7:30P

August 23rd at Ruth Page Center, Near North Chicago | 7:30P

August 31st at the Ballet 5:8 Black Box, Orland Park, Chicago Suburbs | 3P

What Is the BIOS Project?

Real Women. Real Stories. Real Ballet.

The BIOS Project is Ballet 5:8’s platform for creating new ballets based on the real-life stories of women in our Chicago communities. These are not abstract dances or distant myths. They are drawn from interviews—with immigrants, first-generation Americans, Black women from the South Side, recovering addicts and single moms. Women whose stories are rarely heard on stage.

Our dancers, producers and choreographers listened, asked questions, and then turned those conversations into choreography. The result is a series of ballets that are honest, grounded, and deeply human.

Do you love the work we’re doing? Donate to help us continue to create projects like BIOS. Our work as a non-profit is only possible through our supporters.

Meet the Choreographers

  • Rachel Hutsell

    Rachel Hutsell trained at the School of American Ballet and danced professionally with New York City Ballet before moving to California as a free-lance dancer and choreographer.

    A gifted educator and guest artist, Rachel brings a strong sense of musicality and narrative to her choreographic voice.

    For BIOS, Rachel collaborated with Christine, a South Side Chicago single mother whose story of trauma, addiction recovery, and artistic self-expression informed a ballet that is both haunting and healing. Rachel’s work gives form to Christine’s journey of survival—marked by grief, grit, and an unwavering love for her child.

  • Jenni Richards

    Jenni Richards, originally from Sacramento, California, is a former trainee with Nashville Ballet who advanced into a professional role with Milwaukee Ballet II before joining Ballet 5:8 as a company dancer in 2022.

    In the BIOS Project, she partnered with Charity, an abuse survivor from Chicago’s South Side. Their ballet reflects Charity’s journey through trauma, faith, and transformation, giving physical voice to safety and survival.

  • Jasmine Getz

    Jasmine Getz is originally from Guatemala City, Guatemala, and was raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. She began her career in the Joffrey Ballet’s Trainee Program before joining Ballet Austin’s second company. Jasmine is currently in her fourth season with Dayton Ballet and has also enjoyed opportunities to work with the Dayton Ballet School.


    For the BIOS Project, Jasmine worked in collaboration with Lisa, an immigrant from Hong Kong whose life story is marked by quiet sacrifice, generational resilience, and the courage to protect others.

  • Silvita Diaz Brown

    Silvita Diaz Brown is a Chicago-based choreographer originally from Mexico, known for her work that blends contemporary dance, theatrical elements, and spiritual themes. Her choreography has been presented at Links Hall, High Concept Labs, and festivals across the U.S.

    For BIOS, Silvita partnered with Maritza, a Cuban and Afro-Caribbean woman whose upbringing was shaped by joy, complexity, and a deep reverence for family and faith. Together, they explored the fullness of Latina identity, the legacy of matriarchs, and the beauty of being a “caldo”—a simmering pot of cultures, rhythms, and stories made whole.