The Heart Behind Ballet 5:8
At Ballet 5:8, we often get asked: “What makes you different?”
It’s not just the original choreography.
It’s not just the fact that our dancers are full-time, salaried professionals.
It’s not even that we perform in theaters and school gyms alike.
What sets us apart—what anchors us—is why we do what we do.
Our Why
Ballet 5:8 exists to spark conversation about life and faith through innovative storytelling and breathtaking dance.
We’re not here to preach. We’re here to invite.
Our ballets wrestle with real questions—about identity, loss, redemption, beauty, and belief. They don’t always end in neat answers, because life doesn’t either. But they do offer space for reflection. For empathy. For shared humanity.
Grounded in faith but open to all, we believe that beauty can challenge, comfort, and connect. And that when done well, ballet becomes more than art—it becomes a language that speaks to the soul.
Where We Fit in the Dance World
We’re one of the only faith-informed, professional ballet companies in the nation with salaried dancers and national touring. Our model combines elite artistry, accessible education, and original repertory with a deeply held mission.
That makes us both rare—and deeply relevant.
Opportunities We’re Embracing:
Underserved faith-driven audiences hungry for artistic excellence that resonates with their values
Scalable education programs like the 5:8 Method and the American Youth Ballet Festival (AYBF)
Increasing visibility as other traditional touring companies scale back
Meaningful expansion through DEI-informed faith practices and partnerships
Challenges We Navigate:
Misunderstandings about what it means to be faith-based
Pushback on our views regarding body image, costuming, or modesty
The tension of making art in an increasingly polarized culture
What We Say When People Ask Hard Questions
“Isn’t being a faith-based ballet company exclusionary?”
We don’t think so. Our faith calls us to make room, not shut people out. We welcome diverse voices and explore belief as a shared part of the human story. Ballet 5:8 is built on both conviction and hospitality.
“Aren’t your body standards too lenient?”
Quite the opposite. We’re intentionally building a company where health, strength, and dignity are non-negotiable. We don’t chase trends—we care for whole humans. We costume respectfully. We train sustainably. And we cast based on artistry and presence—not weight or conformity.
“What if people get offended by your values?”
Good art stirs conversation. We’re not afraid of discomfort—so long as it leads to deeper dialogue. We lead with honesty and respect, and we trust that our integrity and care will speak for themselves.
Ballet 5:8 is not just another ballet company.
We are a movement of artists committed to beauty, courage, and conversation.
We know what we stand for—and we’re excited to keep growing, questioning, and inviting others to join us along the way.
Art should ask something of us. Our work is about starting the conversation—not finishing it.
- Julianna Rubio Slager