Ballet 5:8 Summer Intensive dancers in center work

Ballet 5:8 • Summer Intensive 2026

Elite Ballet Training in Chicago’s Southland (Ages 11–18)

Ballet 5:8’s Summer Intensive 2026 is more than just a training program—it’s a launchpad for bold dancers who are ready to grow artistically, technically, and personally. Whether you’re dreaming of a professional career or want to push your artistry to the next level, this is where big dreams take root.

Audition (Ages 11–18) Dates & Programs

Dates & Programs

  • 5 Weeks: June 28 – July 31
  • 2 Weeks: June 28 – July 10
  • 3 Weeks: July 13 – July 31
  • Pas de Deux Intensive: August 3 – 7

Auditions are open through March 31. Decisions are sent within 2 weeks of your audition.

Coaching during rehearsal at Ballet 5:8
Pointe technique coaching at Ballet 5:8

Why Audition for Ballet 5:8’s Summer Intensive?

  • Professional Company Environment — Train alongside Ballet 5:8 artists and faculty in a dynamic, detailed, expressive atmosphere that challenges and uplifts.
  • Daily Ballet, Pointe, & Repertoire — Develop clean, powerful technique with a focus on musicality, strength, and nuance.
  • Innovative Contemporary & Modern — Expand your movement vocabulary with rotating styles that can include modern, jazz, contemporary, African dance, street dance, flamenco, improvisation, acting, and musical theater.
  • Exclusive New Choreography — Work with guest choreographers and originate roles in brand-new works created for our intensive students.
  • Performance Opportunities — Share your growth in studio showcases and fully staged end-of-session performances.

Inside the Intensive

See the training environment, coaching, and community that shape Ballet 5:8’s Summer Intensive.

Studios: 11545 183rd Place, Suite 101, Orland Park, IL 60467 — ≈35 minutes from downtown Chicago by Metra.

Dancers learning new choreography

Train with Artists from the World’s Great Companies

Our renowned faculty features current and former dancers from the Royal Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Ballet West, American Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, New York City Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Houston Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham Company, Ballet 5:8, and more. You’ll receive direct mentorship from artists who’ve danced on the world’s greatest stages—and who are passionate about investing in the next generation.

  • Daily technique, pointe/men’s, repertoire, conditioning
  • New choreography with guest choreographers
  • Performance coaching & stagecraft
  • Chaperoned housing for ages 11+ (limited)

Specialty Intensives & Whole-Artist Wellness

  • Pas de Deux Intensive — August 3–7 (focused partnering).
  • Adult Intensive — Passionate adults of all levels grow in technique and artistry.
  • Teacher Training — Equip educators in the 5:8 Method.

Wellness & Community: Learn how to care for your body, mind, and spirit with expert-led seminars in mental health, sports psychology, and nutrition—plus exclusive Q&As with Ballet 5:8 company artists on joy, resilience, and building a sustainable career.

Studio performance moment at Ballet 5:8

Audition & Placement (Ages 11–18)

Register for your correct audition age. You may apply for more than one program at the audition—one audition fee covers all Summer Intensive tracks. Auditions open through March 31.

Audition Ages 11–15 Audition Ages 16+

Younger than 11? Explore our Fast Track Intensive (ages 8–11).

What to Submit

  • Résumé (PDF)
  • Headshot (JPEG/PNG)
  • First Arabesque photo (JPEG/PNG)
  • Tendu à la seconde photo (JPEG/PNG)

Video only if requested or if you cannot attend in person—submit one unlisted YouTube/Vimeo link (barre + center; pointe/men’s if applicable).

FAQ

Where is Ballet 5:8’s Summer Intensive held?

All classes take place at Ballet 5:8’s studios: 11545 183rd Place, Suite 101, Orland Park, IL 60467 — approximately 35 minutes from downtown Chicago by Metra.

Is housing available?

Yes. Supervised housing is available for students ages 12+ during all intensive weeks. Housing includes dorm-style accommodations, daily transportation to and from the studio, and a full meal plan. 2025 housing was at Trinity Christian College.

Are meals included?

Yes. Housing students receive three meals per day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dietary restrictions are accommodated when noted in advance.

Is transportation provided?

Yes. Transportation is included for housing students: daily shuttles between housing and studio, plus airport pickup and drop-off on designated dates (Midway and O’Hare).

What are the dates and tuition rates?

The following reflect Summer 2025 tuition and housing fees. Updated pricing for Summer 2026 will be posted in November 2025.

Program Tuition (2025 rates)

  • Five-Week Program: $2,100
  • Three-Week Program: $1,500
  • Two-Week Program: $1,050
  • Fast Track (1 week): $375
  • Choreography Intensive: $750
  • Pas de Deux Intensive: $750

Housing Package (2025 rates)

  • Five-Week Program: $2,600
  • Three-Week Program: $2,000
  • Two-Week Program: $1,500
  • Choreography or Pas de Deux Intensive: $800

Tuition Deposit: $500 (required at registration)  •  Housing Deposit: $200 (for housing students only)

All fees are due by March 31. Payment plans are available through our registration portal.

Are there refunds or pro-rated tuition?

Registration fees and deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Tuition is non-refundable except in the case of a documented injury with a doctor’s note, in which case a credit may be issued for the following summer. No pro-rated tuition is available for missed days or partial weeks.

Dress Code

Female Dancer Attire: Solid black leotard; footed tights (light pink or matching skin tone); high bun; pink or skin-tone ballet shoes.

Pointe shoes: Bring multiple pairs (if applicable), toe tape, and foot-care items—dancers may be en pointe 2–6 hours/day depending on level.

Additional Attire: Black or white wrap skirt for pointe classes and performances. Colored leotards allowed on specified days.

Male Dancer Attire: White shirt or leotard; black footed tights; black ballet shoes.

Additional Footwear: Nude, white, and black flat shoes for showcases/performances.

How are students placed in levels?

All dancers audition (except Adult Intensive and Fast Track). Placement occurs on the first day via a placement class, based on strength, technique, flexibility, attentiveness, and retention—not age or previous level.

Will my student perform?

Yes. Students in 2-, 3-, 5-week and choreography intensives perform in an end-of-program showcase. Five-week students have multiple performance opportunities.

Is Ballet 5:8 faith-based?

Yes. Ballet 5:8 is founded on faith-based values. All students are welcome; participation in faith-based activities is not required. Activities occur outside normal intensive hours and are student-led.

What if my student is sick or injured?

Mild illness may be handled through observation. Contagious illness (including fever) requires staying home or remaining in housing under supervision. All injuries must be reported via a Ballet 5:8 Injury Form and require a PT assessment. The PT team will set modifications and may recommend additional medical care.

Can parents watch classes or attend performances?

Classroom observation is not offered, but classes are shown on lobby monitors. All performances are open to families; tickets are sold online in advance.

Summer Opportunity: Resident Assistant (RA)

Looking for a job this summer but also want to keep dancing? Join us as a Resident Assistant! Applications are rolling based on availability.

If you are 18+, you are invited to apply to be a Resident Assistant for Ballet 5:8’s Summer Intensive housing. Applicants may fully participate in the Summer Intensive or take a class load that suits their goals.

Benefits Include

  • Free room and board
  • 100% of tuition covered for Summer Intensive
  • Meaningful opportunities to mentor the next generation of artists
  • Work experience and leadership development

Email info@ballet58.org to learn more and apply.

Audition 11–15 Audition 16+ Ages 8–11

"While in the Summer Intensive program, I felt that I was given so many opportunities to grow as a dancer and in my faith. The space you have created at Ballet 5:8 is truly a uniquely beautiful environment that I felt blessed to be a part of. There have been very few spaces that I have danced in where I didn’t feel that my body was the determinative factor for how I was viewed and treated, but while at Ballet 5:8 I never felt that my size played a role in how I was treated. Overall, it was just such a transformative experience for me in many ways, and I just wanted to express my gratitude for being able to participate in the program."

— Summer Intensive Student, 2023

2025 Summer Intensive Guest Faculty - 2026 Coming Soon!

  • A young woman with curly dark hair and a warm smile, wearing a beige spaghetti strap top against a dark background.

    Rachel Hutsell

    New York City Ballet

  • Close-up portrait of a young Asian man with short black hair wearing a white shirt, smiling softly, with a blurred neutral background.

    Kuu Sakuragi

    Soloist with Pacific Northwest Ballet

  • A woman with short blonde hair, blue eyes, wearing a black top, colorful earrings, a delicate necklace, and light makeup, smiling at the camera against a gray background.

    Catherine Batcheller

    San Francisco Ballet, the Stuttgart Ballet and the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Current faculty at Ballet West.

  • A young woman with dark hair styled in a high bun, wearing gold hoop earrings and a white top, smiling softly at the camera.

    Malena Ani

    Pacific Northwest Ballet

  • A young woman with dark hair styled in a side-swept ponytail, brown eyes, and wearing pearl earrings, looking at the camera with a slight smile against a dark background.

    Yinet Fernández

    Dance Theatre of Harlem

  • Professional woman smiling, wearing a black blazer, blue top, and diamond jewelry, with dark background.

    Glorielle Niedfeldt

    Muntu Dance Theatre, Milwaukee Ballet School

  • A professional headshot of a man with short dark hair, wearing a dark blue button-up shirt, standing against a plain gray background.

    Kevin Jenkins

    Award Winning Choreographer and Artistic Director of Ballet Counterpointe

  • A woman with long brown hair, smiling, wearing a light pink jacket and black pants, sitting by a window with white panels.

    Dr. Carrie Skony

    Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician and Dance Medicine Specialist

A ballerina in a white tutu performing a dance pose against a black background.

“Ballet 5:8 provides students with such strong faith-based and classically-based training to sustain young artists and elite athletes physically, mentally, and spiritually. The atmosphere encourages healthy, disciplined dancers and creative humans. I love that lunches are catered providing fresh, balanced meals! The high standard of ballet training along with the attention to individuality is rare. I would recommend this summer program to any student.”

- Sarah Lane, Former Principal with American Ballet Theatre