Why Ballet 5:8’s Work Matters More Than Ever

According to the Dance Data Project’s 2023–24 report, nearly 49% of world premieres at major U.S. ballet companies were choreographed by women. Among the top 50 companies, 52% of resident choreographers are women.

But dig deeper, and the disparity becomes clear.

Only 32% of full-length ballets are choreographed by women. Just 39% of Artistic Directors are women. And representation alone isn’t enough. As DDP’s Isabelle Ramey reminds us:

“It not only matters that women are considered for these positions – it matters where they are hired and how much they are compensated for that work. We need to move beyond just representation and ask the tough questions to ensure women are supported when they are appointed to these positions.”

“At Ballet 5:8, we’re doing more than asking the tough questions—we’re answering them with action.”

Julianna Rubio Slager

We’ve trained 12 young women in choreography through our annual Choreographic Intensive, equipping them with mentorship, studio time, and the tools to build original work.

We’ve premiered new work by 14 emerging female choreographers through our Emerging Artist Showcase over just three seasons—giving space and platform to early-career artists in a professional setting.

Through our Making Space Showcase, eight of our own female company members have created and presented original choreography—developing their artistic voice and shaping our company’s future from the inside out.

Bios Project, coming this August, will feature four new works, each by different female choreographers. Rachel Hutsell, Silvita Diaz Brown, Jasmine Getz and Jenni Richards.

And it doesn’t stop there.

Under the direction of Mexican-American choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager, Ballet 5:8 has created 50+ ballets, and premiered major full-length ballets like La Llorona, BareFace, and The Curious Life of Edgar Allan Poe—works that center cultural memory, female narratives, and spiritual longing.

Over 85% of our commissioned works are by women. We don’t just hire women—we mentor them, promote them, and trust them to lead.

Ballet 5:8 is proof that equity and excellence can thrive together. We are reshaping what ballet looks like—not someday, but now.

We’re not waiting for the industry to catch up. We’re building what comes next.