Second Company
Develop your voice. Build your experience. Bring meaningful stories to the stage.
Train with purpose. Perform with professionals.
Ballet Five Eight’s Second Company develops early career artists through rigorous training, personal mentorship, and substantial performance experience.
Second Company artists regularly develop and tour their own productions, including The House on Mango Street and Shrewd, in addition to working and performing alongside Ballet Five Eight’s professional Company.
This is an opportunity to take ownership of your work: learning repertoire, developing characters, working as an ensemble, and bringing stories to new audiences.
Audition for the 2027–28 season.
Last day to audition: April 15, 2027.
Choose Video Submission in DanceApply or audition
in person in Provo or Chicago.
Your own repertoire. A shared professional environment.
Build the technique and habits of a professional artist while taking on the creative and practical responsibilities of rehearsal, performance, and touring.
Create, rehearse & tour
Second Company regularly develops and tours its own works, including The House on Mango Street and Shrewd.
These productions give dancers opportunities to develop roles, carry a story, and grow through repeated performances as an ensemble.
Work alongside the Company
Learn within Ballet Five Eight’s professional environment and perform alongside Company artists when cast in main Company productions.
Observe experienced artists at work and develop the preparation, precision, and adaptability expected in a professional rehearsal room.
Strengthen your foundation
The program combines approximately 30 hours per week of classes and rehearsals, with classical and contemporary repertoire.
Individual feedback helps dancers develop technical consistency, artistic range, and confidence.
Connect with audiences
Perform in community settings, outreach programs, and lecture demonstrations, as well as theatrical productions.
Learn to communicate across different spaces and audiences while contributing to stories that spark discussion on life, faith, and human dignity.
Mentors who know the work—and the dancer.
Associate Artistic Directors Libby Dennen and Sarah Clarke are key mentorship figures for Second Company artists.
Libby Dennen
Associate Artistic Director
Libby has worked closely alongside Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager since Ballet Five Eight’s founding in 2012. Her deep understanding of Rubio Slager’s signature style helps dancers approach the repertoire with clarity and confidence.
Known by her students for her warmth and clear teaching, Libby focuses on learning and retaining choreography while helping each dancer develop an individual artistic voice.
Sarah Clarke
Associate Artistic Director
Sarah brings the perspective of an experienced Ballet Five Eight artist with a background at CPYB and Charlotte Ballet. After leading the Trainee and Conservatory, she is now bringing her mentorship to emerging professionals.
Her gentle, inspiring guidance helps dancers connect technical preparation with artistic choices, respond thoughtfully to feedback, and build consistency in class, rehearsal, and performance.
Together with Julianna Rubio Slager and the artistic team, Libby and Sarah help dancers develop the preparation, confidence, and judgment to navigate company life.
Support for the next step
Second Company graduates receive first consideration for open positions with Ballet Five Eight’s professional Company, along with individual career and audition counseling.
Experience that stays with you.
“The hard work and knowledge I have received is irreplaceable.”
— James Wainwright, Madison Ballet artist and program alumnus*
“I've learned a lot in terms of how to be a good understudy and the precision of corps work, but I think the most valuable has been learning how to navigate company life and balancing that with my life outside of the studio.”
— Miranda Rubio Opsal, program alumna*
*Graduates of the former Trainee II program, the precursor to Second Company.
Building careers at Ballet Five Eight and beyond.
The program’s impact is visible in our own studios and on stages across the country.
From the program to Ballet Five Eight
Many graduates have continued their careers here, becoming Company artists, educators, and leaders within Ballet Five Eight.
Alumni working with Ballet Five Eight include:
- Natalie Chinn
- Kayla Kowach
- Valerie Linsner
- Melanie Rodrigues
- Miranda Rubio Opsal
- Lauren Rios
- Darissy Matias
Their contributions span performance, rehearsal leadership, teaching, wellness, and costume design, bringing their experience back into the community that helped develop them.
Alumni beyond Ballet Five Eight
- Alisa Nipp Principal · Ballet Hartford
- Caedy (Caedence) Sajdowitz Soloist · Ballet Hartford
- James Wainwright Company Artist · Madison Ballet
- John Szwast Company Dancer · Huntsville Ballet
- Rebecca Jones Apprentice · Ballet Ariel
- Alessia Braggiato Apprentice · Rochester City Ballet
- Maggie DeGroote Trainee · Kansas City Ballet
- Mary Emma Bennette Apprentice · Avant Chamber Ballet
Placements reflect company listings reviewed in October 2026.
Program Graduates
- Mary Emma Bennette
- Alessia Braggiato
- Rebecca Jones
- Maggie DeGroote
- Lauren Rios
- Darissy Matias
- Grace Blando
- Savannah Stach
- Rachel Walker
- Caedence Sajdowitz
- Katrina Clarke
- Marissa Woo
- Annaliese Icard
- Alaina Beard
- Natalie Chinn
- Kayla Kowach
- Valerie Linsner*
- Lydia Lund
- Alisa Nipp
- Melanie Rodrigues*
- Katelyn Roth
- Miranda Rubio Opsal*
- Ruth Sevlie
- Sophia Snider
- Ford Tackett
- James Wainwright*
- John Szwast
*This listing includes graduates of the former Trainee II program, the precursor to Second Company. Ballet Five Eight’s Second Company debuted in the 2020–21 season.
Bring your foundation. Be ready to grow.
Second Company is for dancers ages 18–22 with a strong background in classical and contemporary ballet. We value preparation, artistic curiosity, collaboration, and responsiveness to feedback.
Option 1
Submit a video
Complete the combined Company and Second Company application in DanceApply. Choose Video Submission and submit the requested video, supporting materials, and screening responses.
Check that your video link opens and include any required password.
Option 2
Audition in person
Audition in Provo on January 16, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. MST (registration at 9:30 a.m.), or in Chicago / Orland Park on January 30, 2027, at 2:30 p.m. CST (registration at 2:00 p.m.).
Register through the combined Company and Second Company application in DanceApply. Review the location details before registering.
What happens after screening?
Selected dancers may be invited to Company class for further consideration.
January 30 attendance is not required. The last day to audition is April 15, 2027. Submit early to allow time for review and scheduling.
$10 professional application fee: this fee covers DanceApply fees for the combined Company and Second Company application.
Second Company questions
Does Second Company perform its own productions?
Yes. Second Company regularly develops and tours its own works, including The House on Mango Street and Shrewd. These opportunities are in addition to working and performing with the professional Company.
Is Second Company the same as the Trainee Program?
No. Second Company is a pathway for early career artists centered on training, mentorship, and performance. Trainee is a School program for dancers pursuing further intensive training. Explore Trainee and Conservatory training.
Which application should I use?
Use Ballet Five Eight’s combined professional DanceApply application for Second Company and Company consideration. The School application is for Summer Intensive, Conservatory, and Trainee.
Can I audition by video?
Yes. Choose Video Submission in the combined professional DanceApply application. Videos serve as an initial screening. Selected dancers may be invited to Company class for further consideration.
Do I have to attend the January 30 audition?
No. You may choose Video Submission or audition in Provo on January 16 or Chicago on January 30. The last day to audition is April 15, 2027.
How are dancers supported in their next career step?
Dancers receive mentorship and individual career and audition counseling. Second Company graduates receive first consideration for open positions with Ballet Five Eight’s professional Company.
Grow through the work.
Train, create, and perform with Ballet Five Eight’s Second Company.
2027–28 Season · Ages 18–22
Last day to audition: April 15, 2027.
Ballet Five Eight Studios
11545 183rd Place, Suite 101
Orland Park, IL 60467
Second Company members in "Celestia" alongside the main company at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance Spring 2025.