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.
Miranda Rubio | 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.
Jessica Lohr | 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.
Valerie Linsner | 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.
Ellington Nichols | 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.
Katelyn Roth | 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.
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.
Melanie Rodrigues | 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.
Alisa Nipp | 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.
Welcoming Ford Tackett
Introducing our new dancers! Congratulations to each artist joining the brand new Ballet 5:8 Second Company for the 2020/21 Season.
Lorianne Barclay | 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.
Laura Peterman | 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.
Alisa Nipp | Dry Bones
A celebration of our hope in God, Dry Bones tells the epic ancient story of the Valley of Dry Bones from the Book of Ezekiel. Hear what the Ballet 5:8 artists have to say about this innovative new ballet by Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager.
Welcoming Lydia Lund
Introducing our new dancers! Congratulations to each artist joining the brand new Ballet 5:8 Second Company for the 2020/21 Season.
Elizabeth Marlin | Dry Bones
A celebration of our hope in God, Dry Bones tells the epic ancient story of the Valley of Dry Bones from the Book of Ezekiel. Hear what the Ballet 5:8 artists have to say about this innovative new ballet by Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager.
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.
Sophia Snider | Dry Bones
A celebration of our hope in God, Dry Bones tells the epic ancient story of the Valley of Dry Bones from the Book of Ezekiel. Hear what the Ballet 5:8 artists have to say about this innovative new ballet by Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager.
Miranda Rubio | Dry Bones
A celebration of our hope in God, Dry Bones tells the epic ancient story of the Valley of Dry Bones from the Book of Ezekiel. Hear what the Ballet 5:8 artists have to say about this innovative new ballet by Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager.
Brette Benedict | Dry Bones
A celebration of our hope in God, Dry Bones tells the epic ancient story of the Valley of Dry Bones from the Book of Ezekiel. Hear what the Ballet 5:8 artists have to say about this innovative new ballet by Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager.
Melanie Rodrigues | Dry Bones
A celebration of our hope in God, Dry Bones tells the epic ancient story of the Valley of Dry Bones from the Book of Ezekiel. Hear what the Ballet 5:8 artists have to say about this innovative new ballet by Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager.
Kennedy Ditzhazy | Dry Bones
A celebration of our hope in God, Dry Bones tells the epic ancient story of the Valley of Dry Bones from the Book of Ezekiel. Hear what the Ballet 5:8 artists have to say about this innovative new ballet by Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager.