Ballet 5:8 is a female and minority-led ballet company recognized for artistic excellence, innovation and beauty. Based in Chicago, Ballet 5:8’s mission is to spark discussion of life and faith, through innovative storytelling and breathtaking dance. Last year, Dance Informa had the opportunity to speak with Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager, and this month, we had the privilege of hearing firsthand from five of the company dancers about their experiences with Ballet 5:8.
Please share a little about your dance background.
Kayla Kowach
“I began dancing at age three. At eight, my teacher suggested that I enroll in a pre-professional dance school. I trained at Dancenter North in Gurnee, IL, until I graduated high school, focusing on ballet, jazz and modern. During the summers, I attended intensives with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Joffrey Ballet, Colorado Ballet and Ballet 5:8. After graduating high school, I joined Ballet 5:8’s trainee program, where I trained for six months before advancing to the Second Company.”
Libby Dennen
“I started taking ballet classes at a park district when I was three years old, and began training at a ballet school around eight or nine. Most of my training has been in classical ballet, but I have taken various modern, jazz and contemporary classes as well. Although the majority of my training has been at Ballet 5:8, I have also attended summer intensives at Charlotte Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, and Alonzo King LINES Ballet.”
Savannah Stach
“Growing up, my dad would take me to see the ballet, which led to participating in one toddler ballet class. It was not until I was 12, after watching a New York City Ballet documentary, that I knew dance was the career I wanted to pursue, and I began intentionally training. Upon graduating high school, I was accepted to Belhaven University. In the spring of 2023, I graduated with my BFA in Dance and went on to join Ballet 5:8’s Second Company for the 2023/24 season.”
Ellington Nichols
“I started dancing at age nine when my figure skating coach recommended I take ballet lessons to help me be more graceful on the ice. I ended up falling in love with the movement and trained at a school in Minnesota. I moved to New York City when I was 17 to receive pre-professional training at the Forrest Academy of Ballet New York. I have trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, Flamenco and character.”
Christian English
“I began my dance journey eight years ago in my hometown, where my training primarily focused on ballet. While there, I also had some exposure to contemporary dance. My move to Chicago to join Ballet 5:8’s conservatory marked a significant expansion in my dance education. Here, I was introduced to a diverse array of styles, including jazz, modern and Forsythe technique.”
What led you to Ballet 5:8?
Kowach
“I was originally drawn to Ballet 5:8 because of its faith-based mission. After auditioning with Ballet 5:8, I was excited about the class I experienced. I felt valued as an individual and both challenged and encouraged to grow. When I learned I had been accepted into the Trainee Program, my mom and I decided to see one of their shows. They were performing Butterfly. I remember walking out of the theater and telling my mom, ‘I have to go there. I have to be a part of the work they are doing.'”
Dennen
“I grew up in the Chicago area, and met Julianna when she began teaching at my studio. I signed up to be a student at Ballet 5:8 the year that it opened, after the studio I had been a part of had to close.”
Stach
“Ballet 5:8 came to Belhaven my senior year to set a piece for the dance department. During their residency, I had the opportunity to work with Mrs. Julianna in class and rehearsal, as well as learn some of Ballet 5:8’s repertoire. The choreography flowed, yet had the dynamic qualities that can be seen in neoclassical ballet, and I immediately knew this was the kind of dance I wanted to do.”
Nichols
“While I was in New York, the family that I lived with told me about the company. I had never heard of them before, but I ended up auditioning for Ballet 5:8 in the Spring of 2019. After going to the studios in person and seeing part of rehearsals, I knew Ballet 5:8 was where I needed to be.”
English
“Ballet 5:8’s mission and vision of delivering high-quality Christian dance to a broad audience resonated deeply with me. Ballet 5:8’s boldness with its stories along with its focus on new works drew me here.”
From your perspective, what makes Ballet 5:8 unique from other ballet companies?
Kowach
“Ballet 5:8 is unique because rather than recycling old works of art, the company uses its platform for positive impact in the community. Here, dance is more than just technique and artistry; it is a means of raising important questions and creating space for consideration. Additionally, both the company and the dance school actively seek to create a healthy environment for dancers. The staff understands that each dancer is a human first, with physical and mental health needs, and the necessity for balance. Recognizing that many common practices in ballet are not beneficial to dancers, informed decisions are made on best practices to create a culture of dance that facilitates health and longer careers.”
Dennen
“Being built on a foundation of faith is obviously quite rare for the typical ballet company, as is having a female artistic director. The unique aspect that I appreciate most is that we are doing completely original work. Whether choreographed by Julianna or a guest choreographer, we are dancing pieces and creating work that has not been seen before. This company is also special in our emphasis on dance science. The teaching staff is constantly learning and updating their knowledge to train healthier and stronger dancers.”
Stach
“Class at Ballet 5:8 is not only a space where I can improve upon my artistry and technique, but a place to workshop how my structure can perform a movement well based on my physical makeup. Mrs. Julianna ensures that dancers leave with more knowledge of how their body works in relation to ballet, in order to make mind-body connections that allow for continued growth and excellence.”
Nichols
“The repertoire is unlike any other company in the world. All of our pieces have deep meanings behind the stories and touch on topics that discuss concepts of life and faith. The work we create makes an impact, causes you to think, and broadens your perspective. I myself have learned so much just from doing research for different ballets about certain topics and stories, that I would never have done if I wasn’t a part of Ballet 5:8.”
English
“In my search for a company, I realized something was missing: they lacked a mission. The technical proficiency and artistry were often impressive; however, I was looking for more. When I came across Ballet 5:8, I saw not only technical proficiency and artistry, but also dancing driven by a mission. The Christ-centered ethos of Ballet 5:8 distinguishes it, because the artistic staff and the performers have a shared mission that transcends the technical aspects of dance.”
What do you enjoy most about Ballet 5:8?
Kowach
“The people here have become my second family, and I value them deeply. The camaraderie and support among the dancers create a truly wonderful environment. Ballet 5:8’s dedication to growth extends beyond just technique. There’s a strong emphasis on personal and artistic development, encouraging us to explore new ideas and perspectives through dance. This holistic approach to growth makes Ballet 5:8 a truly unique and enriching place to be.”
Dennen
“The choreography and the constant focus on telling stories that truly impact people. I am so grateful to be creating art that tells of both the grit and the grace of life, all while dancing intricate and challenging movement to beautiful music.”
Stach
“Though each Ballet 5:8 dancer may have come from a different background; we are unified by our passion to share the love of Christ to those in our community through the beauty and power of dance. Our work in the studio not only brings joy to our souls, but also gives us greater purpose and fulfillment because we get to express what we believe through our dance.”
Nichols
“I think the community we have here at Ballet 5:8 is extremely special. Being able to work and create everyday alongside such talented artists is such a blessing and gift. Additionally, I deeply love sharing meaningful stories with different audiences. Being able to tour and share this art with audiences all over the States is an incredible honor.”
English
“What I enjoy most is the work that we create. It is bold and fresh. The collaborative effort to produce something breathtaking is a remarkable experience.”
What is one of your favorite Ballet 5:8 programs and why?
Kowach
“My favorite program is our Summer Intensive. It was my first introduction to the company, and I have wonderful memories of my own experience. Over the years, I have gotten to participate in the Summer Intensive in several capacities, including RA, instructor and dancer. It’s a great program that brings dancers from all over the country to train in a supportive and nurturing environment, integrating them into our community even if just for a short time.”
Dennen
“The Second Company. It allows early career dancers to perform alongside the company and get a taste for the professional dancer lifestyle, while still taking classes to polish off their technique and receive individual artistic coaching.”
Stach
“I love that Ballet 5:8 provides the opportunity to learn different cultural dance styles, and celebrate different cultures, as dance is a universal language. This past spring, I took a few Spanish dance classes, which were immensely fun! Gaining greater knowledge of the variety of dance and its historical roots impacts how one views dance and life.”
Nichols
“Butterfly is a ballet that tells the story of Helga Weiss, a jewish girl who lived through World War II. We created this ballet in the fall of my first season with the company. I loved getting to research about Terezin, the concentration camp which is the setting for the ballet. Being Jewish myself, the ballet has a special place in my heart. Flashforward to this past season, we brought back the beloved Butterfly, and I had the honor of performing as Helga Weiss.”
English
“Among the productions I have participated in, Butterfly stands out as a favorite. It is unique in the topic it discusses for ballet. Along with that, it is incredibly moving, not just for the audience but for me personally.”
Can you expand on what Ballet 5:8’s mission means to you personally?
Kowach
“For me, it means creating art that is impactful and relevant. I want our audiences to walk out of the theater supercharged with thoughts and ideas, in awe of the beauty in the world, or mobilized to take action. A significant part of this mission is telling stories that give voices to those who are otherwise silenced. It’s an honor to use this art form to educate and inform audiences about relevant discussions in our society. By doing so, we can help initiate dialogues that inspire change around these important issues.”
Dennen
“We are not making art solely for it to be enjoyed. We seek to challenge the human perspective and encourage questions of faith. The goal is never to force-feed our beliefs, but to share stories that might otherwise go untold. Using dance to accomplish this creates a space for people to simply feel before they need to think.”
Stach
“Ballet 5:8 creates pieces that have meaning behind every movement and show. The choreography allows the audiences and dancers alike to ponder the themes of what is being portrayed and provides the space for further discussion and inquiry. Being in a company that is a part of something bigger than themselves is humbling and changes the definition of what it looks like to serve others through dance.”
Nichols
“Personally, it means that the art I create and share with the audience is meaningful and will ultimately change you. It will cause you to step back, ponder, and discuss issues you never knew existed. It will cause you to gain new perspectives and allow you to feel things you never imagined you could feel. We tell stories that matter and that need to be shared and heard.”
English
“In everything we create, I am forced to ponder the questions we wish the audience to carry with them. This challenge enriches the way in which I motivate my dancing. It provides a personal and intimate means of storytelling.”
Any closing thoughts you’d like to share about your experiences with Ballet 5:8?
Kowach
“I am so thankful to have found this community where we support and uplift each other in every way. The commitment to excellence and growth, combined with the unique mission to spark meaningful conversations through dance, makes Ballet 5:8 a truly special place. Being part of a company that values artistic integrity, personal development, and social impact has been an incredible privilege.”
Dennen
“The community is truly singular in its sincerity. It is the only place I have worked where everyone truly enjoys being together, and collaborating with each other. We’ve built an atmosphere of trust and team work that is really special.”
Stach
“Although Ballet 5:8 may be considered a smaller company, they function as though they are much larger. This is reflected through the number of shows each season, the professionalism of the dancers and staff, the talented artists of the company, and the state-of-the-art facility. The company not only serves those who are part of Ballet 5:8, but the community. There are a plethora of outreach performances and opportunities to engage with Ballet 5:8’s school programs.”
Nichols
“Coming to Ballet 5:8 was one of the best decisions of my life. I would not be the person I am today without this company. I am so honored to be a part of a company that is making a difference in our community. It is so special dancing alongside incredibly talented colleagues, knowing that we are ultimately dancing for our Father in heaven. That feeling of unity is unlike anything I have ever experienced. It is one of the best gifts in the world.”
English
“My tenure at Ballet 5:8 has been an extraordinary journey, marked by significant advancements in my technical and artistic skills. More importantly, it has deepened my understanding of ballet as a medium of expression. I have learned that dance is an evolving dialogue with the audience, offering stories, showcasing technical prowess, and conveying authentic emotion.”
To learn more about Ballet 5:8, including information about its 2024/25 season, visit www.ballet58.org.
By Melody McTier Thomason of Dance Informa.
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