Summer Intensive Showcase | Week 2
We are delighted to present a series of showcases highlighting the growth of our Summer Intensive and Fast Track students throughout their time at Ballet 5:8. Each performance will feature a curated selection of variations, repertoire, and movement excerpts, thoughtfully chosen to reflect the breadth of their training and celebrate their progress!
Summer Intensive Showcase #2 | Five Week Program, Two Week Program, Fast Track Program
Friday, July 10 - 6:00 - 6:45 pm
Summer Intensive Showcase #3 | Pas de Deux Intensive
Friday, August 7 - 2:30 - 3:15 pm
The Future is Now | Show #1
July 31st | 5:30PM & 7:30PM
Join us for The Future is Now, a vibrant, family-friendly performance that brings together Ballet 5:8’s professional artists and the rising artists of our 2026 Summer Intensive. This dynamic showcase features powerful new works by emerging choreographers, offering fresh perspectives and bold storytelling.
Audiences of all ages will be inspired by the passion and creativity of the next generation of artists as they perform side by side with Ballet 5:8’s seasoned professionals. From poignant contemporary pieces to energizing ensemble works, The Future is Now is an unforgettable evening that celebrates courage, growth, and the beauty of what’s to come.
Bring the whole family and witness the future of dance as our Summer Intensive students join the Company for a fabulous celebration.
Location: Ballet 5:8 Black Box Theater
11545 183rd Pl, Ste 101,
Orland Park, IL 60467
The Future is Now | Show #2
July 31st | 5:30PM & 7:30PM
Join us for The Future is Now, a vibrant, family-friendly performance that brings together Ballet 5:8’s professional artists and the rising artists of our 2026 Summer Intensive. This dynamic showcase features powerful new works by emerging choreographers, offering fresh perspectives and bold storytelling.
Audiences of all ages will be inspired by the passion and creativity of the next generation of artists as they perform side by side with Ballet 5:8’s seasoned professionals. From poignant contemporary pieces to energizing ensemble works, The Future is Now is an unforgettable evening that celebrates courage, growth, and the beauty of what’s to come.
Bring the whole family and witness the future of dance as our Summer Intensive students join the Company for a fabulous celebration.
Location: Ballet 5:8 Black Box Theater
11545 183rd Pl, Ste 101,
Orland Park, IL 60467
Summer Intensive Showcase | Pas de Deux
We are delighted to present a series of showcases highlighting the growth of our Summer Intensive and Fast Track students throughout their time at Ballet 5:8. Each performance will feature a curated selection of variations, repertoire, and movement excerpts, thoughtfully chosen to reflect the breadth of their training and celebrate their progress!
Summer Intensive Showcase #3| Pas de Deux Intensive
Friday, August 7 - 2:30 - 3:15 pm
School of Ballet 5:8 Fox Cities Grand Opening
Trainee Performance | 1:30 PM
Experience the artistry of Ballet 5:8 in a special Grand Opening performance featuring excerpts from Celestia and other beloved works from the Ballet 5:8 repertoire, performed by our pre-professional trainees. Tickets are FREE but RSVP is required.
Presented in our new Fox Cities home at 1478 Midway Rd., Menasha, the performance will showcase the artistry and excellence of Ballet 5:8's training programs while offering audiences a first look inside the campus's shared state-of-the-art theater. This intimate performance is a celebration of the next generation of artists and a glimpse into the vibrant artistic opportunities coming to the Fox Cities.
Join us as we celebrate the beginning of a new chapter for dance in the Fox Cities and the extraordinary young artists who bring these works to life.
The Curious Life of Edgar Allan Poe
Obsession, grief, and passion, told through his tales.
October 3rd, 5PM at the Hippodrome Theater in Baltimore
This October, Ballet 5:8 brings The Curious Life of Edgar Allan Poe to Baltimore — the city where Poe’s life ended and his legend endures.
Just blocks from Edgar Allan Poe’s gravesite, this groundbreaking new ballet by Julianna Rubio Slager and Glorielle Niedfeldt reimagines the writer’s inner world through the stories that made him immortal. Blending neo-classical ballet with African Diaspora movement traditions, the production moves through love, loss, madness, longing, and redemption with haunting theatricality and emotional force.
Supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of America 250, the work explores Poe not merely as a literary icon, but as a man wrestling with grief, beauty, and the meaning of a fleeting life
“The conception of the ballet was stunning. There aren’t words to convey how it was able to capture the life of Poe and present it with dance. It was marvelous.”
— Hal Poe, author, Poe scholar, and living relative of Edgar Allan Poe
Come for the mystery. Stay for the heartbreak.
The Curious Life of Edgar Allan Poe
Obsession, grief, and passion, told through his tales.
This October, Ballet 5:8 brings The Curious Life of Edgar Allan Poe to Albuquerque for a special Saturday evening performance at 7 PM.
Supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of America 250, the work explores Poe not merely as a literary icon, but as a man wrestling with grief, beauty, and the meaning of a fleeting life.
“The conception of the ballet was stunning. There aren’t words to convey how it was able to capture the life of Poe and present it with dance. It was marvelous.”
— Hal Poe, author, Poe scholar, and living relative of Edgar Allan Poe
Come for the mystery. Stay for the heartbreak.
La Llorona
A legend, reimagined with empathy. Maria’s story unfolds through powerful choreography and a haunting score—illuminating postpartum depression with tenderness, not fear.
3PM at the National Hispanic Cultural Center
In Albuquerque, where the story of La Llorona still echoes through the cultural memory of the Southwest, Ballet 5:8 presents a bold reimagining of one of Latin America’s most enduring legends.
Set in New Mexico and inspired by the folklore of La Llorona, this hauntingly beautiful ballet tells the story of Maria, a young mother overwhelmed by exhaustion, isolation, and postpartum depression. As fear and grief begin to distort her reality, family, faith, and community become lifelines pulling her toward hope.
This is not a horror story.
Created by Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager, the work was shaped in conversation with research and lived experience surrounding postpartum depression in Hispanic and Black communities. Dr. Cheryl Tatano Beck, whose groundbreaking research on postpartum depression informed the production, wrote:
“Women of color are significantly more likely to experience postpartum depressive symptoms compared with White women in the United States.”
— Dr. Cheryl Tatano Beck, American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing
After seeing the work, Dr. Beck shared:
“I am deeply impressed. It will help so many others who do not understand the depths of despair postpartum depression can bring to a mother and her family.”
Audiences across the country have called the production “deep,” “important,” and “a 10/10 experience,” praising its emotional honesty and cultural resonance.
La Llorona
A legend, reimagined with empathy. Maria’s story unfolds through powerful choreography and a haunting score—illuminating postpartum depression with tenderness, not fear.
2PM at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin, IL
This Halloween season, Ballet 5:8 invites Elgin audiences to experience La Llorona — a haunting and deeply human reimagining of one of Latin America’s most enduring legends. Costumes are encouraged, and families are invited to enjoy trick-or-treating festivities as part of this special Halloween performance.
This is not a horror story.
While the production explores serious themes with emotional honesty, it does so with care, beauty, and hope rather than graphic imagery or horror. Families across the country have attended together, finding the performance both accessible and meaningful for intergenerational audiences.
“Everyone has something to talk about with their families after leaving the ballet.”
— Desiree Norton
“La Llorona is a story many people in Mexico grow up listening to… Ballet 5:8’s take on the tale brings a whole new aspect onto the table… mental health. It’s wonderful to see how one story can be told through dance with so much expression and sentiment.”
— Andy Boeta, Orland Park Chamber of Commerce
Come in costume. Come for the legend. Leave with compassion.
Women on Fire Preview Party
Join Ballet 5:8 on January 30th for an unforgettable evening of performance, celebration, and artistic revelation as we unveil the upcoming spring season.
The 2027 Spring Preview Party transforms Ballet 5:8 into an immersive night of dance, music, atmosphere, and community — this year centered around the theme Women on Fire.
The evening will feature exclusive previews of works by:
Julianna Rubio Slager
Stephanie Martinez
Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Jessica Lang
Alongside sneak peeks from the upcoming season, guests will enjoy:
Live performances and artistic surprises
Music, dancing, and immersive theatrical moments
Specialty drinks and festive treats
Elegant attire and themed fashion encouraged
Opportunities to meet artists, choreographers, and fellow supporters
Women on Fire celebrates the courage, creativity, resilience, and brilliance of women through movement and storytelling. Passionate, bold, and joy-filled, the evening invites guests into the heart of Ballet 5:8’s artistic vision for the season ahead.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter or discovering Ballet 5:8 for the first time, the Spring Preview Party offers a rare opportunity to experience the company’s creative world up close.
Event Details
Friday, January 30, 2027
Ballet 5:8 — Orland Park, Illinois
Dress boldly. Celebrate fiercely. Step into the season ahead.
Ballerina Ball
A Royal Ball Inspired by
Angelina, the Wayward Daughter
Once upon an evening, you are invited into a royal ballroom where music swirls, flowers bloom, and every child is treated like nobility.
Inspired by Ballet 5:8’s upcoming spring production, Angelina, the Wayward Daughter, this year’s Ballerina Ball welcomes families into a world of princes, princesses, dancing, and fairytale wonder.
This is your moment to dress beautifully, dance joyfully, and create lasting memories with someone you love.
Saturday, February 20, 2027
5:00–7:00 PM
Ballet 5:8 Studios
Tickets:
$35 Adult
$15 Child
Children must attend with a ticketed adult.
A Magical Evening for Families
Every young dancer dreams of a night where they can twirl across the ballroom floor, feel celebrated, and step into a storybook world.
The Ballerina Ball was created to give families exactly that — a joyful, elegant, age-appropriate evening where children and their favorite grown-ups share the dance floor together.
Fathers & daughters, mothers & sons, grandparents, cousins, and every special pairing in between are warmly welcomed.
Recommended for ages 3 and up.
What Awaits You
Learn to Waltz
Step onto the dance floor together and learn a simple ballroom waltz — no experience required.
Open Dance Floor
Dance freely, laugh loudly, and enjoy a night designed for connection and celebration.
A Flower for Every Child
Because every young guest deserves to feel like royalty.
Fairytale Photo Booth
Capture the evening with keepsake photos inspired by the world of Angelina, the Wayward Daughter.
Printed photos will be available for purchase, or digital versions may be emailed at no cost.
Create Your Own Royal Keepsake
Children can decorate their own picture frame to take home as a memory of the evening.
Mini Ballet Performance
Enjoy a special live ballet excerpt inspired by the elegance and storytelling of Ballet 5:8’s spring season.
Light Refreshments
Snacks and sweet treats will be available throughout the evening.
Why Families Love the Ballerina Ball
Sweet, age-appropriate fun
Screen-free family connection
Elegant atmosphere without pressure
Beautiful memories shared together
A chance for children to step into a fairytale world
At the end of the evening, you leave with tired feet, happy hearts, flowers in hand, and memories that feel pulled from a storybook.
Join Ballet 5:8 for an unforgettable evening where love leads the dance.
Women on Fire | 15th Anniversary Show at the Harris Theater
Tickets can be purchased at harristheater.org and will go on sale August 1st.
For fifteen years, Ballet 5:8 has been shaped by remarkable women—artists, teachers, leaders, mothers, mentors, and visionaries whose work has often happened behind the scenes but whose impact has transformed countless lives.
Women on Fire celebrates their stories through an extraordinary evening of dance featuring works by four acclaimed female choreographers: Julianna Rubio Slager, Jessica Lang, Stephanie Martinez, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.
The program includes two world premieres by Julianna Rubio Slager. Women Who Carry Water honors the unseen labor, resilience, and quiet strength of women whose daily acts of service sustain families and communities. The evening concludes with Chingonas, a bold celebration of the courageous women who have helped build Ballet 5:8 over the past fifteen years.
Also featured are Jessica Lang's The Calling, a meditation on purpose and belonging, Stephanie Martinez's world premiere Grace in the Rush, exploring beauty amid modern life's relentless pace, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's exhilarating Rondo Ma Non Troppo.
More than a performance, Women on Fire is a tribute to female artistry, leadership, and the women whose influence extends far beyond the stage. As Ballet 5:8 celebrates its 15th Anniversary Season, this unforgettable program invites audiences to reflect on the women who have shaped their own lives—and to recognize the extraordinary power of those who quietly carry the world forward.
"Like the life cycle of the butterfly, Rubio Slager and her long-standing women-led team are aligned and committed to actualizing change."
— See Chicago Dance
"Ballet 5:8 is not your average or typical dance company… unwavering in their unique vision to ensure ballet is fresh, functional and accessible to everyone."
— See Chicago Dance
"It is my definition of phenomenal."
— D'onminique Boyd-Riley, See Chicago Dance
Summer Intensive Showcase | Week 1
We are delighted to present a series of showcases highlighting the growth of our Summer Intensive and Fast Track students throughout their time at Ballet 5:8. Each performance will feature a curated selection of variations, repertoire, and movement excerpts, thoughtfully chosen to reflect the breadth of their training and celebrate their progress!
Summer Intensive Showcase #1 | Fast Track Program
Friday, July 3 - 4:00 - 4:30 pm
Summer Intensive Showcase #2 | Five Week Program, Two Week Program, Fast Track Program
Friday, July 10 - 6:00 - 6:45 pm
Summer Intensive Showcase #3 | Pas de Deux Intensive
Friday, August 7 - 2:30 - 3:15 pm
The Shape of Joy - Presented by the School of Ballet 5:8 | Sunday 3p
School of Ballet 5:8 Mixed Repertoire Bill
One performance. Many worlds.
This year, our School of Ballet 5:8 performance is a mixed repertoire bill—which is a fancy way of saying you’ll see multiple short ballets in one show, each with its own music, style, and story. Instead of spending the entire performance in a single production, you’ll watch our students demonstrate range: classic storytelling, character work, musicality, ensemble precision, and contemporary expression—all in one afternoon.
Even better: every ballet will be performed at every show, but with different casts, so each performance has its own spark. (Translation: if you come back twice, you’ll see something new—same ballets, fresh interpretations.)
Repertoire
Peter Rabbit
Performed by the Preparatory Program
A charming, storybook favorite brought to life with youthful energy, imagination, and plenty of personality.
Little Women
Performed by Ensemble I & Jr. Ensemble
A beloved tale told through dance—rich in character, emotion, and the kind of ensemble storytelling that makes ballet feel like theater.
Caged Bird Sings & Shades of Refrain
Performed by Ensemble II
Two distinct works that highlight artistry and musical phrasing—one powerful and expressive, the other layered and nuanced.
Interplay & Gospel Impressions
Performed by the Studio Company
Dynamic, high-level repertoire showcasing versatility, attack, and polish—students stepping fully into their artistry as performers.
Come celebrate what our dancers have been building all year: technique, confidence, and the ability to shift styles with intention. It’s a performance that moves quickly, offers something for everyone, and puts our students’ growth front and center.
If a full-length ballet is a novel, this is a book of short stories—with a really impressive cast.
The Shape of Joy - Presented by the School of Ballet 5:8 | Saturday 7p
School of Ballet 5:8 Mixed Repertoire Bill
One performance. Many worlds.
This year, our School of Ballet 5:8 performance is a mixed repertoire bill—which is a fancy way of saying you’ll see multiple short ballets in one show, each with its own music, style, and story. Instead of spending the entire performance in a single production, you’ll watch our students demonstrate range: classic storytelling, character work, musicality, ensemble precision, and contemporary expression—all in one afternoon.
Even better: every ballet will be performed at every show, but with different casts, so each performance has its own spark. (Translation: if you come back twice, you’ll see something new—same ballets, fresh interpretations.)
Repertoire
Peter Rabbit
Performed by the Preparatory Program
A charming, storybook favorite brought to life with youthful energy, imagination, and plenty of personality.
Little Women
Performed by Ensemble I & Jr. Ensemble
A beloved tale told through dance—rich in character, emotion, and the kind of ensemble storytelling that makes ballet feel like theater.
Caged Bird Sings & Shades of Refrain
Performed by Ensemble II
Two distinct works that highlight artistry and musical phrasing—one powerful and expressive, the other layered and nuanced.
Interplay & Gospel Impressions
Performed by the Studio Company
Dynamic, high-level repertoire showcasing versatility, attack, and polish—students stepping fully into their artistry as performers.
Come celebrate what our dancers have been building all year: technique, confidence, and the ability to shift styles with intention. It’s a performance that moves quickly, offers something for everyone, and puts our students’ growth front and center.
If a full-length ballet is a novel, this is a book of short stories—with a really impressive cast.
The Shape of Joy - Presented by the School of Ballet 5:8 | Saturday 2p
School of Ballet 5:8 Mixed Repertoire Bill
One performance. Many worlds.
This year, our School of Ballet 5:8 performance is a mixed repertoire bill—which is a fancy way of saying you’ll see multiple short ballets in one show, each with its own music, style, and story. Instead of spending the entire performance in a single production, you’ll watch our students demonstrate range: classic storytelling, character work, musicality, ensemble precision, and contemporary expression—all in one afternoon.
Even better: every ballet will be performed at every show, but with different casts, so each performance has its own spark. (Translation: if you come back twice, you’ll see something new—same ballets, fresh interpretations.)
Repertoire
Peter Rabbit
Performed by the Preparatory Program
A charming, storybook favorite brought to life with youthful energy, imagination, and plenty of personality.
Little Women
Performed by Ensemble I & Jr. Ensemble
A beloved tale told through dance—rich in character, emotion, and the kind of ensemble storytelling that makes ballet feel like theater.
Caged Bird Sings & Shades of Refrain
Performed by Ensemble II
Two distinct works that highlight artistry and musical phrasing—one powerful and expressive, the other layered and nuanced.
Interplay & Gospel Impressions
Performed by the Studio Company
Dynamic, high-level repertoire showcasing versatility, attack, and polish—students stepping fully into their artistry as performers.
Come celebrate what our dancers have been building all year: technique, confidence, and the ability to shift styles with intention. It’s a performance that moves quickly, offers something for everyone, and puts our students’ growth front and center.
If a full-length ballet is a novel, this is a book of short stories—with a really impressive cast.
The House on Mango Street
Ballet 5:8’s Second Company brings Sandra Cisneros’ classic novel The House on Mango Street to life in a poignant new ballet by Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager. Told through the eyes of Esperanza, a young Latina girl coming of age in a Chicago neighborhood, the ballet explores themes of identity, belonging, and the power of storytelling.
Performed by Ballet 5:8’s emerging all-female ensemble—35% of whom identify as ALAANA—the work centers underrepresented voices and invites audiences to see themselves reflected on stage. Through original choreography and powerful visual design, the ballet honors the spirit of Cisneros’ text while introducing a new generation to the transformative language of dance.
Presented in partnership with public libraries and community organizations, this tour includes performances, bilingual storytime events, and movement-based workshops that connect students and families to the themes of the book.
The House on Mango Street is more than a performance—it’s a bridge between literature, culture, and community.
The House on Mango Street
Ballet 5:8’s Second Company brings Sandra Cisneros’ classic novel The House on Mango Street to life in a poignant new ballet by Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager. Told through the eyes of Esperanza, a young Latina girl coming of age in a Chicago neighborhood, the ballet explores themes of identity, belonging, and the power of storytelling.
Performed by Ballet 5:8’s emerging all-female ensemble—35% of whom identify as ALAANA—the work centers underrepresented voices and invites audiences to see themselves reflected on stage. Through original choreography and powerful visual design, the ballet honors the spirit of Cisneros’ text while introducing a new generation to the transformative language of dance.
Presented in partnership with public libraries and community organizations, this tour includes performances, bilingual storytime events, and movement-based workshops that connect students and families to the themes of the book.
The House on Mango Street is more than a performance—it’s a bridge between literature, culture, and community.
Ballet 5:8 Essentials
Join Lead Artist Samuel Opsal for a Ballet 5:8 Essentials class where we work on technique, coordination, and building your dancer to the elite level!
Ballet 5:8 Essentials
Join Company Artist and Studio Company Assistant Director Emma Michaux for a Ballet 5:8 Essentials class where we work on technique, coordination, and building your dancer to the elite level!
Ballet 5:8 Essentials
Join Solo Artist Kayla Kowach for a Ballet 5:8 Essentials class where we work on technique, coordination, and building your dancer to the elite level!
The Curious Life Of Edgar Allan Poe
Obsession, grief, and passion—told through his tales.
The Curious Life of Edgar Allan Poe is a groundbreaking new ballet by Julianna Rubio Slager and Glorielle Niedfeldt, blending neo-classical ballet and African Diaspora movement. Supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of America 250, it reimagines Poe’s life through his stories as a redemptive exploration of grief, beauty, and moral awakening.
The House on Mango Street
Ballet 5:8 brings Sandra Cisneros’s classic novel to life through dance. The story follows Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago, as she searches for identity, belonging, and a home she can call her own. Choreographed by Julianna Rubio Slager, the ballet blends classical and contemporary movement with music to explore themes of culture, community, and hope.
Ballet 5:8 Essentials
Join Solo Artist and Second Company Director Libby Dennen for a Ballet 5:8 Essentials class where we work on technique, coordination, and building your dancer to the elite level!
Ballet 5:8 Essentials
Join Solo Artist and Second Company Director Libby Dennen for a Ballet 5:8 Essentials class where we work on technique, coordination, and building your dancer to the elite level!
No Ballet 5:8 Essentials
No Ballet 5:8 Essentials or Master Class this week! We’ll see you back Monday at 4:30p for our next class!
Ballet 5:8 Essentials
Join School Principal Miranda Rubio Opsal for a Ballet 5:8 Essentials class where we work on technique, coordination, and building your dancer to the elite level!
Ballet 5:8 Essentials
Join Solo Artist and Second Company Director Libby Dennen for a Ballet 5:8 Essentials class where we work on technique, coordination, and building your dancer to the elite level!
Emerging Artist Showcase
2026 Emerging Artist Showcase | March 21 at 2:00 PM
Nathan Manilow Theater,
Park Forest
See what happens when dancers become the entire production team.
Our Studio Company artists (ages 14–22) have built this performance from the ground up—creating, choreographing, producing, directing, designing, marketing, and managing every detail themselves. The result is an original, student-driven showcase that’s as much about leadership and collaboration as it is about artistry.
Come experience their work in action and support these young artists as they develop vital skills both onstage and offstage.
No Ballet 5:8 Essentials
No Ballet 5:8 Essentials or Master Class this week! We’ll see you back Monday at 4:30p for our next class!
Ballet 5:8 Essentials
Join Pre-Professional Program Assistant Director Autumn Stull for a Ballet 5:8 Essentials class where we work on technique, coordination, and building your dancer to the elite level!
BareFace
A dance performance. A weekend of conversation. A story that won’t let you keep your mask on. BareFace is Ballet 5:8’s staged retelling of Cupid and Psyche (through the lens of C.S. Lewis’ Till We Have Faces)— a female-driven tale of love, jealousy, and the case against the gods.
How do the arts make the invisible visible? How can beauty, imagination, and craft awaken our understanding of truth? What is a baptized imagination—and what does C.S. Lewis reveal through Till We Have Faces?
The Thick & the Clear: C.S. Lewis and the Arts brings together artists, scholars, and audiences to explore an artistic vision that is both intellectually rich (thick) and spiritually transparent (clear). Hosted in collaboration with the Marion E. Wade Center, the weekend conference culminates in a performance of BareFace by Ballet 5:8.
No Ballet 5:8 Essentials
No Ballet 5:8 Essentials or Master Class this week! We’ll see you back Monday at 4:30p for our next class!
Ballet 5:8 Essentials
Join Lead Artist and Studio Company Director Sarah Clarke for a Ballet 5:8 Essentials class where we work on technique, coordination, and building your dancer to the elite level!
Ballet 5:8 Essentials
Join Guest Artist Patricio Di Stabile for a Ballet 5:8 Essentials class where we work on technique, coordination, and building your dancer to the elite level!
Ballet 5:8 Essentials
Join Lead Artist and Pre-Professional Director Valerie Linsner for a Ballet 5:8 Essentials class where we work on technique, coordination, and building your dancer to the elite level!
Ballerina Ball 2026
A Valentine’s Dance Children and Caregivers
This Valentine’s season, step into a world of music, movement, and magic.
The Ballet 5:8 Ballerina Ball is a joyful evening created for children and the grown-ups who love them—open to our entire neighborhood and community. No ballet experience required. Just come ready to dance, laugh, and make memories together.
✨ Ages 3 and up are welcome
✨ Fathers & daughters, mothers & sons, grandparents, caregivers, and all special pairings are invited
Every child dreams of dressing up, dancing freely, and feeling special.
But families don’t always have a place where they can slow down, connect, and share something truly magical together - that doesn’t break the bank.
Ballet 5:8 invites you to a Valentine’s evening where children are the stars, grown-ups are their partners, and the whole room becomes a dance floor.
💫 What to Expect
Your evening at the Ballerina Ball includes:
🩰 Learn to Waltz & Bachatta
A simple, joyful waltz lesson designed for all ages—no experience needed.
🎶 Open Dance Floor
Move, spin, and dance together in a welcoming, playful atmosphere.
🎭 Mini Ballet Performance
A short, enchanting performance to inspire little dancers and curious hearts.
🌷 A Flower for Every Child
Because every child deserves to feel special.
📸 Photo Booth Fun
Capture the moment!
• Printed photos available to take home for a small fee
• Or receive your photo by email for free
🖼 Create a Take-Home Photo Frame
Decorate a keepsake frame to display your favorite memory from the night.
💖 Why Families Love the Ballerina Ball
✔ Open to the entire community
✔ Perfect for first-time ballet families
✔ Screen-free, age-appropriate fun
✔ Affordable Valentine’s memory-making
🎟 Tickets
💗 Adults: $25
💗 Children: $5
Children must attend with a ticketed adult.
🌟 The Happily Ever After
You’ll leave with smiling faces, tired dancing feet, a flower in hand, and a photo that captures a Valentine’s memory you’ll treasure for years. Core memory created!
✨ Join Ballet 5:8 for the Ballerina Ball—where the whole community dances together. ✨
Leaning In
Leaning In is a playful, tender, and deeply human look at love in all its forms—the kind that makes you laugh, choose each other again, and believe in something bigger than yourselves.
Set to excerpts from Golden Sessions, the timeless wisdom of 1 Corinthians 13:13, and the sweet sincerity of I’d Pick You, this piece celebrates love as both sacred and fun. It’s about leaning closer, holding hands, and remembering why love—faith, hope, and all—is always worth showing up for.
Whether you’re coming with a partner, a friend, or your favorite third wheel, this Valentine’s Day performance is your perfect excuse for a night out that’s heartfelt, joyful, and just a little
romantic.
February 14 | 7:00 PM
Park Church – River North | 1001 N Crosby St, Chicago, IL 60610
The Poe Masquerade | A Spring Repertoire Celebration
The Poe Masquerade
A Spring Repertoire Celebration & Sneak Peek
Step into an evening shaped by Edgar Allan Poe—where dance, music, and story meet.
The Poe Masquerade reimagines Ballet 5:8’s annual spring repertoire preview as a shared experience. Instead of sitting back and watching, guests move through the space, encounter the work up close, and get an early look at what’s ahead.
Masquerade attire is welcome, not required.
Curiosity is the only requirement of the evening.
Tickets are $35 and include light bites, dancing and beverages.
What to Expect
This is not a formal presentation.
And it’s not a traditional performance.
It’s an evening built for movement, conversation, and discovery.
Guests explore The House of Poe, moving from room to room and encountering short excerpts from Ballet 5:8’s upcoming spring repertoire—each one offering a glimpse into the themes, ideas, and physical worlds taking shape this season.
Come for part of the evening or stay for all of it. The night unfolds at your pace.
Ballet 5:8 Auditions | Summer & Year Round
One audition. Multiple pathways. Join a professional, joyful environment that prizes clean classical technique, musical sensitivity, and expressive performance.
Register today!
Ballet 5:8 Essentials
Join Lead Artist Samuel Opsal for a Ballet 5:8 Essentials class where we work on technique, coordination, and building your dancer to the elite level!
3PM December 14th | Beyond the Nutcracker
A classic holiday tradition with a Ballet 5:8 twist comes to Chicago this season. Join young Emma and the mysterious Uncle Abrahms as they embark on a miraculous journey through time—encountering soldiers, shepherds, and cultural celebrations from around the world—and discover what Christmas is truly about.
This year, we’re thrilled to announce a special collaboration with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, performing Tchaikovsky’s iconic score live at select performances:
December 6 & 7
Saturday 2p and 7p | Recorded Score at Lincoln Way North Performing Arts Center
Sunday 3p | Recorded Score at Lincoln Way North Performing Arts Center
December 13 & 14
Saturday 2p and 7p | Live Orchestra at Lincoln Way North Performing Arts Center
Sunday 3p | Live Orchestra at Lincoln Way North Performing Arts Center
This year marks a historic milestone: for the first time ever, Ballet 5:8’s professional company and school will share the stage, uniting students and seasoned artists in a powerful display of community and collaboration. Audiences can also experience the wonder of live music at select performances, bringing Julianna Rubio Slager’s vibrant choreography to life in a whole new way.
Whether you’re continuing a beloved tradition or discovering it anew, Beyond the Nutcracker offers a joyful, hope-filled celebration for all ages.