Ballet 5:8 Blog: Dance that Lingers

At Ballet 5:8, every movement tells a story. Our blog takes you deeper—into the rehearsal room, into the minds of our choreographers, and into the real-life experiences that shape our art. Whether you’re a dancer, an arts lover, or just curious, we invite you to explore the beauty, faith, and resilience at the heart of our work.

What You’ll Find Here:

Behind the Scenes: Go inside the making of new works like La Llorona, The House on Mango Street, and The Curious Life of Edgar Allan Poe.
Artist Voices: Read reflections from our dancers, choreographers, and guest faculty.
Creative Process: From inspiration to premiere—learn how ballets are built.
Community Impact: See how Ballet 5:8 connects with students, schools, and neighborhoods.
Tour Diaries & Studio Life: Follow us from Orland Park to the Harris Theater and beyond.

Enjoy exploring our work below or search the blog for topics you’re curious about.

Ballet 5:8 5/23/23 Ballet 5:8 5/23/23

Libby Dennen | 22/23 Season in Review

Solo Artist Libby Dennen shares her reflections on the 22/23 Season! One of our Ballet 5:8 traditions at the end of each performance season is to ask the artists of the company to share some reflections with us.

Ballet 5:8 6/21/21 Ballet 5:8 6/21/21

Dancer Fun Facts | Libby Dennen

Get to know Solo Artist Libby Dennen in our summer blog series: Dancer Fun Facts!

Ballet 5:8 5/8/21 Ballet 5:8 5/8/21

2020/21 Season in Review | Libby Dennen

Hear from Company Artist Libby Dennen as she reflects on her experience during the 20/21 Season.

Ballet 5:8 2/11/21 Ballet 5:8 2/11/21

Meet the Characters | Reckless

Hear from the dancers about the characters they are portraying in Julianna Rubio Slager’s newest work, Reckless. Company Artist Libby Dennen shares about her character.

Ballet 5:8 11/19/20 Ballet 5:8 11/19/20

Libby Dennen | Studio Style

Hear from the Ballet 5:8 artists about how they like to express their style in their dance attire and learn about their go-to dance bag items.