Ballet 5:8 2026/27 Season
Women on Fire
Ballet 5:8 launches a National Tour with The Curious Life of Edgar Allan Poe and La Llorona, followed by a season of bold storytelling, celebration, and new work.
From the Artistic Director
A season of Women on Fire
Dear Friends,
The embers of ballet have burned for centuries, carrying with them a legacy of beauty, discipline, and storytelling. As we look ahead, we believe the women of dance will fan those embers into a full blaze, shaping the future with boldness and vision.
This season, we are honored to present works by Jessica Lang, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Stephanie Martinez, and my own new creations, Chingonas and Shrewd, as part of Ballet 5:8’s 26/27 Season. We also welcome the return of La Llorona and The Curious Life of Edgar Allan Poe, alongside our Christmas collaboration with the Illinois Philharmonic as part of Beyond the Nutcracker.
Our hope is to bring downtown to every town, expanding access to world-class dance through an exciting National Tour, alongside our 15th Anniversary celebration. This milestone season reflects both where we have been and where we are going.
We would be honored to have you with us.
With gratitude,
Julianna Rubio Slager
See a Performance
Company Productions
Find Ballet 5:8 on tour, at the Harris Theater, and in Chicago this season.
National Tour
The Curious Life of Edgar Allan Poe
A gripping, theatrical full-length ballet traveling across the country as part of Ballet 5:8’s National Tour. Audiences are drawn into the mind and memory of Edgar Allan Poe through bold storytelling and striking stagecraft.
National Tour
La Llorona
A powerful narrative ballet rooted in folklore, La Llorona explores grief, consequence, and generational memory. Touring nationally, this work reflects Ballet 5:8’s commitment to culturally grounded storytelling.
Holiday Performance
Beyond the Nutcracker
Ballet 5:8’s highest-demand holiday experience, Beyond the Nutcracker invites families into a reimagined Christmas tradition filled with wonder, courage, and redemption. With live music, sensory-friendly access, and broad audience appeal, this is one of the season’s most beloved entry points into Ballet 5:8.
15th Anniversary
Women on Fire
The artistic centerpiece of the 15th anniversary season, Women on Fire features company premieres by Jessica Lang and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa alongside world premieres by Julianna Rubio Slager and Stephanie Martinez. This landmark program celebrates the creative force of women choreographers and the future of Ballet 5:8.
Bring Ballet 5:8 to Your Community
Touring, Community & School Programs
Flexible productions created for presenters, community partners, public schools, and student audiences.
Public Schools
Shrewd
Created for public school audiences, Shrewd gives Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew a playful, Pixar-style treatment for younger viewers. This world premiere introduces students to classic literature through accessible storytelling, humor, and dance.
Bring Shrewd to your school
Touring + Schools
The House on Mango Street
Now available for touring, community events, and public schools, The House on Mango Street brings Sandra Cisneros’ iconic story to life through dance, expanding access to meaningful, culturally resonant storytelling.
Book a performanceSchool of Ballet 5:8
Training, Performances & Community
At the School of Ballet 5:8, students receive comprehensive, high-caliber training rooted in classical ballet and informed by the demands of today’s professional dance world. Whether you are seeking pre-professional training, or are simply looking for a safe dance class for fun, the School of Ballet 5:8 is your home for dance education.
Under the leadership of School Principal Miranda Rubio Opsal and Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager, we emphasize strong technique, authentic artistry, and the power of storytelling—creating a space where students of all ages thrive in body, mind, and spirit. Below you will find a full listing of our program offerings.
Youth Performance
Emerging Artist Showcase
An exciting evening of new choreography and rising talent, offering audiences a first look at the next generation of Ballet 5:8 artists.
Learn more
Family Event
The Ballerina Ball
A magical, interactive experience for young dancers and families, inviting participants into the joy and imagination of ballet.
Register
Student Production
Angelina: The Wayward Daughter
A whimsical retelling of the Prodigal Son, this full-scale student production showcases the artistry and training of the School of Ballet 5:8 while inviting audiences into a story of grace, return, and transformation.
View performances
