Elite Ballet Training in Chicago’s Southland
Serious, joyful training for dancers ages 11–18. Daily ballet, pointe/men’s, repertoire, contemporary forms, new choreography, and staged performance opportunities.
National Audition Tour · Auditions open through Mar 31
Why Ballet 5:8’s Summer Intensive: develop as a complete artist with rigorous Vaganova-based technique, refined with School of American Ballet and Marcia Dale Weary progressions; daily coaching in artistry, musicality, and stagecraft; and new choreography created on you.
Led by Julianna Slager and Ballet 5:8 faculty with distinguished guest artists.
Dates & Programs
Choose any session length; placement determines level on day one.
Summer Intensive
- 2 Weeks: June 28 – July 10 | Technique & Placement
- 3 Weeks: July 13 – July 31 | Coordination & Artistry
- 5 Weeks: June 28 – July 31 | Maximum Improvement & Growth
Pas de Deux Intensive
August 3–7 • Partnering fundamentals and artistry. Upper levels include pressage.
More infoChoreography Intensive
Create and perform new work with guidance from Ballet 5:8 artists.
More infoFast Track (Ages 8–11)
Foundational training for young dedicated dancers.
More infoAdult Intensive
Focused training for passionate adult dancers.
More infoWhat Sets Our Intensive Apart
- Rigorous ballet training: 1–2 ballet classes daily with pointe/men’s and variations.
- Repertoire: Classical repertoire, Ballet 5:8 repertoire, and new choreography created for SI dancers.
- Conditioning & method: Pilates and Progressing Ballet Technique to build strength, control, and placement.
- Coaching on the whole artist: artistry, musicality, wellness, mental coaching, stagecraft, and acting.
- For male dancers: dedicated men’s classes; partnering for upper levels (including pressage work).
Dancers come here to improve. Our focus is clean technique, musical sensitivity, and expressive performance.
Your pathway to Ballet 5:8: The Summer Intensive is our primary consideration route for trainee and company opportunities. Standout students may be invited to the next step.
Who Thrives Here
- Training: Minimum 3–4 years of classical ballet recommended; strong work ethic and teachability.
- Upper levels: Daily pointe (or men’s class) and pas de deux for advanced dancers; pressage introduced where appropriate.
- Rehearsal & performance: Live or recorded accompaniment as available; new choreography and repertory each session.
Technique & Syllabus
Our syllabus is grounded in the Vaganova method’s clear progressions, with purposeful additions from the School of American Ballet and the pedagogy of Marcia Dale Weary. The result: articulate footwork, expansive épaulement, musical clarity, and performance-ready stamina.
- Level-appropriate progressions to build strength, turnout, and line
- Musical phrasing and dynamic contrast emphasized daily
- Coaching toward clean classical style and confident, expressive artistry
Inside the Intensive
Train daily with Ballet 5:8 artists and distinguished guests from major companies. Technique, pointe/men’s, repertoire, contemporary forms (modern, jazz, African, flamenco, improv, musical theatre), conditioning, stagecraft, and new choreography.
- Studios: 11545 W. 183rd Place, Suite 101, Orland Park, IL 60467 (≈35 minutes from downtown Chicago by Metra)
- Chaperoned housing available for ages 12+ (limited capacity)
Younger than 11? Explore our Fast Track Intensive (ages 8–11).
2025 Summer Intensive Guest Faculty – 2026 Coming Soon
Rachel Hutsell
Kuu Sakuragi
Catherine Batcheller
Malena Ani
Yinet Fernández
Glorielle Niedfeldt
Kevin Jenkins
Dr. Carrie Skony
Recent past faculty include Lauren Anderson (Houston Ballet) and Sarah Lane (American Ballet Theatre).
What Dancers & Families Say
FAQ
Where is Ballet 5:8’s Summer Intensive held?
All classes take place at Ballet 5:8’s studios: 11545 183rd Place, Suite 101, Orland Park, IL 60467 — approximately 35 minutes from downtown Chicago by Metra.
Is housing available?
Yes. Supervised housing is available for students ages 12+ during all intensive weeks. Housing includes dorm-style accommodations, daily transportation to and from the studio, and a full meal plan. 2025 housing was at Trinity Christian College.
Are meals included?
Yes. Housing students receive three meals per day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dietary restrictions are accommodated when noted in advance.
Is transportation provided?
Yes. Transportation is included for housing students: daily shuttles between housing and studio, plus airport pickup and drop-off on designated dates (Midway and O’Hare).
What are the dates and tuition rates?
Program Tuition (2025 rates)
- Five-Week Program: $2,100
- Three-Week Program: $1,500
- Two-Week Program: $1,050
- Fast Track (1 week): $375
- Choreography Intensive: $750
- Pas de Deux Intensive: $750
Housing Package (2025 rates)
- Five-Week Program: $2,600
- Three-Week Program: $2,000
- Two-Week Program: $1,500
- Choreography or Pas de Deux Intensive: $800
Deposits: Tuition $500 (at registration) • Housing $200 (housing students only). All fees due by March 31. Updated pricing for Summer 2026 posts in November 2025.
Are there refunds or pro-rated tuition?
Registration fees and deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Tuition is non-refundable except in the case of a documented injury with a doctor’s note, in which case a credit may be issued for the following summer. No pro-rated tuition is available for missed days or partial weeks.
Dress Code
Female Dancer Attire: Solid black leotard; footed tights (light pink or matching skin tone); hair secured out of face neatly; pink or skin-tone ballet shoes.
Pointe shoes: Bring multiple pairs (if applicable), toe tape, and foot-care items—dancers may be en pointe 2–6 hours/day depending on level.
Additional Attire: Black or white wrap skirt for pointe classes and performances. Colored leotards allowed on specified days.
Male Dancer Attire: White shirt or leotard; black footed tights; black ballet shoes.
Additional Footwear: Nude, white, and black flat shoes for showcases/performances.
How are students placed in levels?
All dancers audition (except Adult Intensive and Fast Track). Placement occurs on the first day via a placement class, based on strength, technique, flexibility, attentiveness, and retention—not age or previous level.
Will my student perform?
Yes. Students in 2-, 3-, 5-week and choreography intensives perform in an end-of-program showcase. Five-week students have multiple performance opportunities.
Is Ballet 5:8 faith-based?
Yes. Ballet 5:8 is founded on faith-based values. All students are welcome; participation in faith-based activities is not required. Activities occur outside normal intensive hours and are student-led.
What if my student is sick or injured?
Mild illness may be handled through observation. Contagious illness (including fever) requires staying home or remaining in housing under supervision. All injuries must be reported via a Ballet 5:8 Injury Form and require a PT assessment. The PT team will set modifications and may recommend additional medical care.
Can parents watch classes or attend performances?
Classroom observation is not offered, but classes are shown on lobby monitors. All performances are open to families; tickets are sold online in advance.
Summer Opportunity: Resident Assistant (RA)
Want a paid leadership role and full SI tuition covered? If you’re 18+, apply to serve as a Resident Assistant for Ballet 5:8’s Summer Intensive housing. Applicants may participate fully in the Intensive or take a lighter class load.
Benefits
- Free room & board
- 100% tuition covered for the Summer Intensive
- Mentor younger artists; build leadership skills
Email info@ballet58.org to learn more and apply.
"While in the Summer Intensive program, I felt that I was given so many opportunities to grow as a dancer and in my faith. The space you have created at Ballet 5:8 is truly a uniquely beautiful environment that I felt blessed to be a part of. There have been very few spaces that I have danced in where I didn’t feel that my body was the determinative factor for how I was viewed and treated, but while at Ballet 5:8 I never felt that my size played a role in how I was treated. Overall, it was just such a transformative experience for me in many ways, and I just wanted to express my gratitude for being able to participate in the program."
— Summer Intensive Student, 2023
“Ballet 5:8 provides students with such strong faith-based and classically-based training to sustain young artists and elite athletes physically, mentally, and spiritually. The atmosphere encourages healthy, disciplined dancers and creative humans. I love that lunches are catered providing fresh, balanced meals! The high standard of ballet training along with the attention to individuality is rare. I would recommend this summer program to any student.”
- Sarah Lane, Former Principal with American Ballet Theatre