Ballet 5:8 presents
Women
on Fire
Four acclaimed women choreographers.
Five powerful works. One extraordinary evening.
April 17, 2027 · 7:30 PM · Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Get ticketsWhen
April 17, 2027 · 7:30 PM
Where
Harris Theater · Chicago
The anniversary performance
For fifteen years, Ballet 5:8 has been shaped, sustained, and transformed by women.
Women on Fire is a celebration of those women.
Women who taught, mentored, choreographed, fundraised, organized, mothered, challenged, rebuilt, and dreamed. Women who carried an art form forward—often without recognition—and built a company, a school, a community, and a legacy.
The program
Four singular voices.
Five unforgettable works.
Julianna Rubio Slager
Women Who Carry Water · Chingonas
Unseen labor, resilience, humor, courage, and the women who carry communities forward.
Jessica Lang
The Calling
A stirring reflection on purpose, connection, and the human longing to belong.
Stephanie Martinez
Grace in the Rush
A sweeping meditation on womanhood—on being seen, becoming, giving, longing, and enduring.
Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Rondo Ma Non Troppo
Wit, energy, and exuberance celebrate the complexity and vitality of the human spirit.
A special anniversary honor
Celebrating Founding Executive Director Amy Kozol
Women on Fire will honor Amy and the foundational leadership, vision, and commitment she brought to Ballet 5:8. Her work helped make fifteen years of artistry, access, and growth possible.
World premiere
Women Who Carry Water
Inspired by oral histories and the often-unseen labor of women, Julianna Rubio Slager’s new ballet draws from stories of caregiving, perseverance, service, and sacrifice.
It honors the countless ways women sustain families, communities, and institutions through acts that are essential yet frequently overlooked.
Why Ballet 5:8
More than a performance—a celebration of female artistry, influence, and the courage to shape what comes next.
“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
Ballet 5:8 · Season 15
Women
on Fire
Honor the women who shaped your life. Be part of the night that honors ours.
Get ticketsPress or group ticket inquiries: info@ballet58.org