Ballet 5:8 Blog: Dance that Lingers

At Ballet 5:8, every movement tells a story. Our blog takes you deeper—into the rehearsal room, into the minds of our choreographers, and into the real-life experiences that shape our art. Whether you’re a dancer, an arts lover, or just curious, we invite you to explore the beauty, faith, and resilience at the heart of our work.

What You’ll Find Here:

Behind the Scenes: Go inside the making of new works like La Llorona, The House on Mango Street, and The Curious Life of Edgar Allan Poe.
Artist Voices: Read reflections from our dancers, choreographers, and guest faculty.
Creative Process: From inspiration to premiere—learn how ballets are built.
Community Impact: See how Ballet 5:8 connects with students, schools, and neighborhoods.
Tour Diaries & Studio Life: Follow us from Orland Park to the Harris Theater and beyond.

Enjoy exploring our work below or search the blog for topics you’re curious about.

Julianna Slager 9/30/22 Julianna Slager 9/30/22

The Parable of Dance

Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager shares this beautiful parable with the Ballet 5:8 community published by Ekstasis magazine.

Ballet 5:8 11/2/20 Ballet 5:8 11/2/20

Becoming a Standout Dancer

At Ballet 5:8, we know a lot about the process of becoming a professional dancer. Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager says there are ten key things that dancers need in order to stand out from the crowd.

Ballet 5:8 7/29/20 Ballet 5:8 7/29/20

Brette Benedict | Pursuing Dance Professionally

What do you want to do when you grow up? Here are the stories of the Ballet 5:8 dancers and how they knew they wanted to pursue dance professionally.

Ballet 5:8 7/28/20 Ballet 5:8 7/28/20

Katelyn Roth | Pursuing Dance Professionally

What do you want to do when you grow up? Here are the stories of the Ballet 5:8 dancers and how they knew they wanted to pursue dance professionally.

Ballet 5:8 7/22/20 Ballet 5:8 7/22/20

Laura Peterman | Season in Review

The year 2020 has proved a whirlwind, but the artists of Ballet 5:8 are staying positive! Keep reading for some insights on their experiences throughout Ballet 5:8's 2019/20 Season

Ballet 5:8 7/20/20 Ballet 5:8 7/20/20

Melanie Rodrigues | Pursuing Dance Professionally

Ballet 5:8 7/20/20 Ballet 5:8 7/20/20

Laura Peterman | Pursuing Dance Professionally

What do you want to do when you grow up? Here are the stories of the Ballet 5:8 dancers and how they knew they wanted to pursue dance professionally.

Ballet 5:8 7/20/20 Ballet 5:8 7/20/20

Lezlie Gray | Pursuing Dance Professionally

What do you want to do when you grow up? Here are the stories of the Ballet 5:8 dancers and how they knew they wanted to pursue dance professionally.

Ballet 5:8 7/20/20 Ballet 5:8 7/20/20

Alisa Nipp | Pursuing Dance Professionally

What do you want to do when you grow up? Here are the stories of the Ballet 5:8 dancers and how they knew they wanted to pursue dance professionally.

Ballet 5:8 7/20/20 Ballet 5:8 7/20/20

Ellington Nichols | Pursuing Dance Professionally

What do you want to do when you grow up? Here are the stories of the Ballet 5:8 dancers and how they knew they wanted to pursue dance professionally.