Trainee Program
Ballet 5:8's Trainee Program is a dynamic experience that challenges aspiring professional dancers to put the finishing touches on their training while dancing alongside the Ballet 5:8 professional company.
Only 15 Trainee positions are awarded each year. This allows dancers to receive individualized coaching to help them reach their professional goals faster.
As Trainees, dancers take advantage of a full-time, 40hr/wk intensive schedule of classes and performance opportunities within the Ballet 5:8 Studio Company, and alongside the Ballet 5:8 Professional Company.
Open by audition only to dancers with a solid background in classical ballet, the Trainee Program prepares promising students for careers with Ballet 5:8, with other professional dance companies, and in a range of dance-related fields.
“If I picked a word to describe the impact of the two years I spent in Ballet 5:8’s Trainee Program, I would choose ‘growth.’ I grew stronger as a dancer and as a person...and made some lifetime friendships as well!”
“I will forever be thankful for the Ballet 5:8 trainee program and all of its staff, who are so invested in all of their students. The trainee program is like a pressure cooker for ballet technique, strength, and endurance! With all of the hours of dancing and cross training, I got stronger than I even knew I could and it truly shaped me into dancer I am now. Thanks to teachers who led me, pushed me to and past my limits, and who saw beyond what I could see for myself, I graduated from the program feeling ready and excited for whatever came next.”
“Ballet 5:8’s Trainee Program gave me the finishing touches I needed to take my career to the next step. The small classes, individual corrections, numerous performance opportunities, intense schedule, and chances to go on tour with the company grew and stretched me as both a dancer and a person. I recommend it to serious dancers looking for growth, deep friendships, and meaningful dance.”
Overview
The Ballet 5:8 Trainee Program is a small, exclusive training ground for 15 artists of faith aspiring to careers in professional dance performance and related fields. Ballet 5:8’s five-week Summer Intensive kicks off the program, with guest faculty from across the nation adding to Mrs. Slager and her incredible team of Faculty to prepare the dancers for the upcoming season. The Company season begins in early August and goes through mid-May. Dancers attend ballet technique and pointe daily, Monday - Friday, often alongside the professional company at Ballet 5:8's 12,000 square-foot studios in Orland Park, IL. In addition, trainees participate in company rehearsals, Studio Company rehearsals, and a rotation of classes such as women’s and men’s variations, classical repertoire, modern, improv, weight training, Pilates, Progressing Ballet Technique, port de bras, men's classes, and partnering. Additional academic seminars may include dance history, music theory, anatomy, mental health and injury prevention. Classes are taught by Ballet 5:8 Faculty and frequent guest instructors in order to provide a wealth of perspective and a wide variety of artistic experiences. Trainees also participate in Bible study and worship, fueling the mind and spirit and exploring the intersection of art and faith.
Curious about our teaching philosophy? Find out more here.
Ballet 5:8 Trainees perform frequently, allowing dancers to hone performance and artistry skills. Performance opportunities include those performing Trainee and Ballet 5:8 Studio Company repertoire, including in outreach settings, and the potential for corps, soloist and featured roles in the School of Ballet 5:8’s two full-length classical ballets each year. Dancers also have the opportunity to vie for performance opportunities as understudies and in selected roles alongside the Ballet 5:8 Professional Company.
Trainees are evaluated twice each year and receive detailed feedback on their progress within the program. Trainees receive mentoring throughout the year to move toward their future goals; graduates may also vie for positions with the Ballet 5:8 Second Company and professional company.
Faculty
Ballet 5:8 Trainee Program faculty are all current or former professional dancers. They bring ample technical knowledge and professional performing experience to the program, challenging and enabling dancers to make the technical and artistic leap from student to professional.
Alumni
Ballet 5:8 Trainee Program graduates receive first consideration for open positions with the Ballet 5:8 professional company, as well as individual career & audition counseling.
Graduates Include
Alaina Beard | Annika Grasman | Abigail Gray Gardner | Chance Ennis | Margaret Fitz | Emma Jones | Kaitlyn King | Brianna Klein | Morgan Kelly | Kayla Kowach | Valerie Linsner | Alisa Nipp | Laura Peterman | Elayne Podolske | Emily Ratkos | Melanie Rodrigues | Katelyn Roth | Miranda Rubio | Sophia Snider | Ford Tackett | James Wainwright | Rachel Walker | Christian English
Currently Dancing with Ballet 5:8
Libby Dennen | Solo Artist
Valerie Linsner | Solo Artist
Melanie Rodrigues | Company Artist
Miranda Rubio | Company Artist
Sophia Snider | Company Artist
Ford Tackett | Company Artist
Kayla Kowach | Company Artist
Christian English | Company Apprentice
Rachel Walker | Company Apprentice
FAQ
Q. Are there rankings within the Trainee Program?
A. There is only one ranking within the Trainee Program. Dancers who graduate the program are given first consideration for any open Second Company positions, as well as apprenticeships in the main Company.
Q. What is the Trainee schedule like?
A. Trainees have a full-time 35-40hr/wk schedule. Get a feel for the Trainee schedule here.
Q. How long is the Trainee Program?
A. Each year of the Trainee Program lasts from early August - mid May. Dancers are invited to the one program one year at a time, and typically spend 1-2 years in the program overall. Due to Ballet 5:8’s emphasis on the unique needs of each individual dancer, the number of sequential years each dancer may be invited to return to the Trainee Program prior to graduation varies.
Q. Do Trainees eventually take on positions with the professional company?
A. Yes, many Ballet 5:8 Trainee Program graduates are now dancing with the professional company. Other graduates have gone on to perform with companies around the U.S. Trainees are given first consideration for Second Company and professional contracts, though contracts are not guaranteed.
Q. Are Trainees required to attend Ballet 5:8’s Summer Intensive?
A. Yes, all incoming Trainees are required to attend Ballet 5:8’s full five-week Professional Intensive in order to gain strength and familiarity with the Ballet 5:8 aesthetics and repertoire prior to the season's start. Summer Intensive registration is separate from Trainee registration.
Q. Is housing provided as part of the Trainee Program?
A. Trainees are responsible for their own housing. Trainees typically live in area houses and apartments with other trainees and/or Ballet 5:8 company dancers as roommates. Ballet 5:8 staff is able to recommend potential roommates to new dancers who request housing. Trainees are not allowed to live alone and must have their housing approved by Ballet 5:8 staff.
Q. Can trainees work?
A. Yes, trainees often hold paying jobs outside of their class and performance schedules in order to cover the cost of their living expenses. Trainees can work on weeknights and on weekends when there are no performances scheduled. One important thing to keep in mind is that trainee schedules are sometimes inconsistent during heavy performance seasons. Finding an employer who is understanding and willing to schedule around performances is crucial.
Q. Can trainees get out of certain classes if they need to work?
A. No, trainees are required to attend all scheduled classes, rehearsals and performances. Trainees who do not fulfill this requirement may not be able to successfully graduate from the Trainee Program.
Q. Can trainees support themselves?
A. Yes, trainees can work to support themselves financially during their time in the program. Nonetheless, we do recommend that trainees arrange for some support from family or friends to assist with trainee tuition and/or living expenses if at all possible. Because working hours available outside of the trainee program can vary throughout the year, being at least partially supported can greatly reduce stress and exhaustion during the program and can result in an experience that is much more positive and productive overall.
Q. Can trainees attend college classes?
A. Yes, some trainees choose to attend night and distance learning college courses outside of their class and performance schedules. Ballet 5:8's trainee program is not accredited at this time, so trainees interested in attending college classes need to apply to a separate academic institution.
Q. What are the tuition costs?
A. Trainee Tuition is $4,500 for a full year of training. Tuition costs have been subsidized by the generosity of Ballet 5:8’s donors.
Q. What if I have questions that aren’t on this list?
Call us at 312.725.4752 or email info@ballet58.org