Ballet 5:8 Presents
La Llorona
Before she was a ghost story, she was a mother no one knew how to help.
La Llorona reimagines the Mexican legend through the eyes of Maria, a new mother pulled into the darkness of postpartum depression. What has often been told as a tale of fear becomes a story of love, illness, family, and the urgent need to see one another clearly.
Una leyenda reimaginada con empatía. Una historia de amor, pérdida, salud mental y esperanza.
Performances / Presentaciones
The Hemmens Cultural Center
Elgin, Illinois
In collaboration with the Elgin Public Library
National Hispanic Cultural Center
Albuquerque, New Mexico
In collaboration with the National Hispanic Cultural Center
The Story
Maria is not a monster. She is a mother in crisis.
Choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager, a mother of three, approaches La Llorona with tenderness rather than terror. The ballet follows Maria as postpartum depression distorts her world, isolating her from the people who love her most.
As Maria, her husband, and her community struggle to understand what is happening, the legend becomes a mirror for a real and often hidden crisis: how families respond when a mother is suffering and no one knows what to call it.
La Llorona invites audiences to look at Maria with empathy, not fear.
Why See It
A legend transformed into a human story.
For the story you thought you knew
The familiar figure of La Llorona is reimagined through maternal mental health, turning a ghost story into a compassionate portrait of a woman in pain.
For audiences beyond ballet
This is narrative dance made for theatergoers, families, students, Spanish-speaking and bilingual communities, and anyone drawn to myth, memory, and emotional storytelling.
For a conversation that matters
The ballet opens space for families and communities to talk about postpartum depression, care, silence, stigma, and hope.
Minutes
No intermission. A concentrated, emotionally cinematic experience.
Tour Stops
Albuquerque, New Mexico and Elgin, Illinois.
Tickets
Elgin tickets are on sale now for October 31 at 2:00 PM.
Maternal Mental Health
The myth opens the door to a real crisis.
Postpartum depression affects many families quietly, especially when shame, cultural stigma, or lack of awareness keeps mothers from seeking help. In this retelling, Maria's suffering is not sensationalized. It is witnessed.
Read the research context
According to the NIH, 6.5–20% of new mothers experience postpartum depression. In La Llorona, Maria's journey becomes a portrayal of a depressive episode rather than a tale of horror.
Dr. Cheryl Tatano Beck wrote in the American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing that women of color are significantly more likely to experience postpartum depressive symptoms compared with White women in the United States.
La depresión posparto afecta a muchas familias en silencio. Esta obra invita a mirar a María con empatía, no con miedo.
What People Are Saying
Audience and community response
“Yes, it was DEEP! Very emotional. This is real life for many postpartum women.”
— Marvalinn
“La Llorona brings a whole new aspect to the table: mental health.”
— Audience Member
“Una historia con mucha importancia... Ballet 5:8 cuenta la historia a través de la danza de manera increíble.”
— Andy Boeta
“A 10/10 experience. I was struggling to hold back tears.”
— Mya Love
“As a registered nurse, this perfectly captured the stories told to me by women suffering from postpartum depression.”
— Registered Nurse
“La Llorona was one of the best shows we have attended in a long time.”
— ALS, U.S. Army Veteran
Plan Your Visit
Frequently Asked Questions
What is La Llorona about?
The ballet reimagines the Mexican legend through the story of Maria, a new mother experiencing postpartum depression. Rather than telling the legend as horror, the work centers empathy, family, illness, and hope.
How long is the show?
80 minutes with no intermission.
Is it family-friendly?
Yes, with context. The work addresses postpartum depression and emotional distress, but the storytelling is tender and appropriate for a wide audience. Parents can use their discretion for very young children.
Is the show in English or Spanish?
La Llorona is a non-verbal dance work. English and Spanish context is included on this page, with additional program notes by venue as available.
Are tickets available?
Yes. Tickets for Elgin on October 31, 2026 at 2:00 PM are on sale now. The Albuquerque performance on October 18 has concluded.
Elgin Tickets on Sale Now
See the legend differently.
Experience La Llorona live in Elgin on October 31 at 2:00 PM.
Boletos a la venta para Elgin: 31 de octubre a las 2:00 p. m.
Press & Conversations
La Llorona in the Press
Explore the reporting and conversations behind the ballet—its cultural roots, creative process, and focus on maternal mental health.
KUNM
Radio interview ·
Reimagining La Llorona for the modern era
Julianna Rubio Slager discusses the folklore behind the ballet and how motherhood shaped her compassionate retelling of Maria’s story.
Read & ListenAlbuquerque Journal
Arts feature ·
Folklore, movement, and a new perspective
A feature on Ballet 5:8’s La Llorona and Edgar Allan Poe, exploring cultural heritage, choreography, and the stories behind the productions.
Read the FeatureWGLT
Public radio feature ·
Putting maternal mental health center stage
A conversation about the ballet’s approach to postpartum depression, Latina identity, and the power of dance to humanize a familiar legend.
Read & ListenABC7 Chicago
Television feature ·
A Mexican ghost story told through a mother’s eyes
Jasmine Minor reports on the personal experience behind Slager’s interpretation and its focus on mothers facing postpartum depression.
Watch & Read