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 4/20/26 Julianna Slager 4/20/26

Why Adult Dancers Need an Intensive Too

Julianna Slager 4/20/26 Julianna Slager 4/20/26

Why a Teacher Intensive Matters, and Why Ballet 5:8 Is the Right Place to Grow

Julianna Slager 4/7/26 Julianna Slager 4/7/26

The Sound of Poe: Why the Composers Behind This Ballet Matter

Julianna Slager 2/18/26 Julianna Slager 2/18/26

Announcing the Ballet 5:8 Two-Year Men’s Scholarship

Julianna Slager 1/26/26 Julianna Slager 1/26/26

The Body Remembers: Dance, Faith, and the Ghosts of Poe

Julianna Slager 1/22/26 Julianna Slager 1/22/26

The Job Market: What To Expect

Julianna Slager 1/8/26 Julianna Slager 1/8/26

Creating The House on Mango Street

Julianna Slager 12/18/25 Julianna Slager 12/18/25

How to Find the Right Dance Studio for Your Child (Even If You Don’t Know a Plié From a Pirouette)

Julianna Slager 12/17/25 Julianna Slager 12/17/25

Audition for Ballet 5:8 — Top 75 Nationally, Built for the Next Generation

Julianna Slager 9/26/25 Julianna Slager 9/26/25

Where the Company Meets the School: Why This Model Matters at Ballet 5:8

Julianna Slager 9/23/25 Julianna Slager 9/23/25

Why Dance Matters in the Age of AI

In a world transformed by artificial intelligence, the skills that set our children apart won’t be mechanical—they’ll be human. Creativity, resilience, empathy, and collaboration are the true keys to thriving in the future. Dance nurtures all of these, making it one of the most powerful ways to prepare kids for what’s ahead.

Julianna Slager 8/6/25 Julianna Slager 8/6/25

The Real Women Behind the BIOS Project: Stories That Move

Meet the women and choreographers behind Ballet 5:8’s BIOS Project—a powerful performance series where lived experience becomes movement, and storytelling becomes healing.

Julianna Slager 8/6/25 Julianna Slager 8/6/25

What Is La Llorona? The Legend Behind Ballet 5:8’s Haunting Ballet

Ballet 5:8’s La Llorona reimagines the legendary weeping woman through a compassionate lens—exploring postpartum depression, motherhood, and healing in a breathtaking ballet.