Ballet 5:8’s School Creates Brand-New Story Ballet on Pilgrim’s Progress

April 18, 2018 FRANKFORT, IL – People who are new to Ballet 5:8 will often ask where we “get” our story ballets. One person once asked specifically if we buy them, just like a theatre group would purchase the music and licensing rights to perform, for example, a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. In short, the answer is no! The creation of brand-new work is one of the very core aspects of Ballet 5:8’s mission to engage communities in conversation of life and faith through innovative storytelling and breathtaking dance. Our ballets - including Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts’ newest project, Pilgrim’s Progress - are concepted, choreographed, designed and staged completely from our main studios in Frankfort, IL. 

Pilgrim’s Progress, a new full-length ballet adapted from John Bunyan’s classic novel of the same name, is currently being built from the ground up ahead of its May premiere - and it is slated to be an epic drama for the entire family. This old-world story of Christian's journey through life in search of salvation leads through many different towns and countrysides, on a road that is filled with both monsters and unexpected blessings. The performances will feature students from Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts’s nationally-recognized classical ballet training programs, guest artists from the Ballet 5:8 professional company, and a Children’s Cast of dancers from 20+ area communities, with all-original choreography and handmade costumes and sets. The family-friendly performances will be held at 2pm & 7pm on Saturday, May 12, and at 3pm on Sunday, May 13. Tickets are $18 for adults, and $10 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at ballet58.org or by calling 708-329-8773, and seating is reserved. 

Ballet 5:8, a 6-year-old nonprofit, is committed to the work of investing and enriching local communities through the arts, particularly around the company’s home in the Chicago South Suburbs. Ballet 5:8’s professional arm - with 12 adult, professional dancers - performs locally, in Chicago, and throughout the Midwest and the U.S. Pilgrim’s Progress, however, will be one of two full-length performances produced by the School of the Arts, Ballet 5:8’s dance education center, which serves over 200 students from three locations in Frankfort, IL, Beverly (Chicago), and Valparaiso, IN. The school also produces community-favorite Beyond the Nutcracker each December, known for attracting 1,500+ audience members. These full-length story ballets give students important (and fun!) performing experience as part of their training, but they are also an outreach to the community that gives South Suburban residents a chance to experience the beauty and inspiration of professional-quality dance performances without the hassle and cost of heading to downtown Chicago. 

Why Pilgrim’s Progress? One of the core aspects of Ballet 5:8’s mission is using dance as a way to share joy, spread inspiration, and as platform for storytelling that can start conversation of life and faith. The basis for the ballet, John Bunyan’s novel, has been said to be one of the most significant works of English literature of all time. Bunyan composed the novel in England, while in prison for going about religious activities that were, at the time, frowned upon by the Church of England. His book was first published in 1678. Reportedly Pilgrim’s Progress has since been translated into 200 languages and has never gone out of print. Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts’ production will highlight a selection of the many short episodes that make up the novel, complete with its classic old-world setting. Pilgrim's Progress follows Christian as he leaves his home in the City of Destruction, in search of salvation, and embarks on a great adventure that leads him along the the Narrow Road. Along the way, Christian meets a variety of characters ranging from the heartwarming Hopeful and Goodwill to the dangerous Giant of Despair and the fervent Evangelist. This entertaining and insightful allegory is an epic tale of adventure, hardship, perseverance, and provision that is deeply relatable.

Performers in Pilgrim’s Progress range from local young dancers to high school and college-age aspiring artists who have moved to the area from across the U.S. to study with Ballet 5:8, to Ballet 5:8 professional Company Artist Samuel Opsal. Stephen Everson, dancing the role of Christian, is in his second year in Ballet 5:8’s Conservatory & Men’s Training Program after moving from Indiana. Trainees performing in the production this year - college-age students who also train, perform and tour alongside the Ballet 5:8 professional company - represent Michigan, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Ohio, and Champaign, IL. Other cast members and up-and-coming artists from Ballet 5:8’s training programs represent many local South suburban communities: Emma Jones (Orland Park), Daria Caravette (New Lenox), Zoe Scheiderich (Chicago), Sophia Snider (New Lenox) and James Wainwright (Manhattan), to name just a few. The full Pilgrim’s Progress cast is made up of over 130 dancers ages three to 20+ who represent communities ranging from Frankfort, Mokena, New Lenox, Tinley Park and Orland Park to places as far as Chicago and Valparaiso, Indiana. 

The creator and choreographer behind Pilgrim’s Progress, Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer, Julianna Rubio Slager, is co-founder of the six-year old company and brings a wealth of experience to her work. Slager’s choreography has been performed at festivals and events across the Midwest: Dance Chicago, Project Dance, Chicago International Arts Festival, Detroit City Dance Festival. Beginning in 2014, Ballet 5:8 began touring nationally, bringing Slager's critically acclaimed ballets such as Scarlet, The Stor(ies) of You and Me, and Compass to audiences across the nation. In addition to working with the Ballet 5:8 professional company, Slager has had the joy of watching her students be accepted into many prestigious summer intensive, trainee and year-round programs, including the Kirov Academy, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Houston Ballet, Washington Ballet, Joffrey Ballet Trainee Program, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Ellison Ballet, School of American Ballet and others.