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.
Second Company | Pursuing Dance Professionally
Our Second Company members reflect on the fall season and share about their journey pursuing dance as a career.
2021 Trainees | Pursuing Dance Professionally
Our Trainees reflect on the fall season and share about their journey pursuing dance as a career.
Becoming a Standout Dancer
At Ballet 5:8, we know a lot about the process of becoming a professional dancer. Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager says there are ten key things that dancers need in order to stand out from the crowd.
Brette Benedict | Pursuing Dance Professionally
What do you want to do when you grow up? Here are the stories of the Ballet 5:8 dancers and how they knew they wanted to pursue dance professionally.
Katelyn Roth | Pursuing Dance Professionally
What do you want to do when you grow up? Here are the stories of the Ballet 5:8 dancers and how they knew they wanted to pursue dance professionally.
Laura Peterman | Pursuing Dance Professionally
What do you want to do when you grow up? Here are the stories of the Ballet 5:8 dancers and how they knew they wanted to pursue dance professionally.
Lezlie Gray | Pursuing Dance Professionally
What do you want to do when you grow up? Here are the stories of the Ballet 5:8 dancers and how they knew they wanted to pursue dance professionally.
Ellington Nichols | Pursuing Dance Professionally
What do you want to do when you grow up? Here are the stories of the Ballet 5:8 dancers and how they knew they wanted to pursue dance professionally.