Ballet 5:8, Chicago's premiere female and minority-led ballet company, debuts a mixed-bill performance at the Harris Theater on April 20th at 7:30 p.m. (Tickets $10-75). Lost Women of Juárez tells the story of thousands of women who have vanished in the borderland between El Paso and Ciudad Juárez, including Julianna Rubio Slager’s Tia Yolanda. Every one of their names is significant and deserves to be remembered long after the news stories have passed. Also included in this program are Rubio Slager’s new works Counterpart and The Sea is Flat, as well as Wind by former Martha Graham dancer Steve Rooks.
Lost Women of Juárez
The Lost Women of Juárez is a fight against becoming desensitized to the horror of femicide in Juárez. Through her vision, Rubio Slager will give life to the stories of these women, capturing their essence and the emotional journey they endured. The narrative supports her ideas around the creation of dance but also focuses on how to improve the digestion of such art that often is passed over because of its depth or niche content. Influenced by her heritage, her choreographic style combines contemporary ballet, traditional Mexican dances, and storytelling techniques.
Women’s History Month
According to the Dance Data Project, female voices are underrepresented in ballet, with just 23.6% of works in the 2023/24 season choreographed by women. Ballet 5:8’s performance at the Harris Theater is 75% female and 100% minority choreography. The work honors and celebrates the life and legacy of women and is an important capstone to Women’s History Month. Female choreographers deserve more recognition than they are receiving, and this year marked an important step for choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager as she was invited to the prestigious School of American Ballet as a National Visiting Fellow to consult on diversity practices in the ballet industry. Her work in the studio and on the stage is elevating the Chicago dance community as being at the forefront of equity and inclusion at the highest levels of artistry and leadership.
Chicago DanceMakers Forum Review:
"[Rubio Slager] has a great skill set at telling stories about her past traumas and letting them into the dance she is creating or performing with intent from the work samples submitted."
"Chicago Dancemakers Forum is honored to have Julianna among the 10 Finalists for the 2024 Lab Artists. Julianna was selected through a rigorous process for her body of work as a dancemaker, the distinction of her artistic voice and vision, and the potential timing of the program in her career and artistic trajectory."
More About Wind, Counterpart, and The Sea is Flat
Wind by Steve Rooks feels the ethereal embrace of an unseen force. A former dancer at the Martha Graham Dance Company, Rooks draws inspiration from the music of Alfonso Peduto. The music becomes a partner in the piece, weaving a symphony that echoes the delicate dance of leaves in a gentle breeze or the tumultuous roar of a storm.
Counterpart is Julianna Rubio Slager's breathtaking new pas de deux that serves as a testament to the transformative collaboration of authentic partnership. This innovative choreography beautifully celebrates the interplay of equals, showcasing their unique strengths and vulnerabilities. It transcends boundaries and ignites the imagination to reconsider the tension and thrill of equality.4
The Sea is Flat explores the capricious power of the sea and a divine presence that speaks order into chaos. The relentless force of the sea takes center stage as an awe-inspiring and dangerous entity that humanity has long grappled with. The unpredictable and devastating power of the waves creates a captivating spectacle that leaves audiences breathless.
TICKET INFORMATION
Ballet 5:8 presents Lost Women of Juárez at the The Harris Theater for Music and Dance on Saturday, April 20th at 7:30 p.m. Tiered single tickets ranging from $10 to $75 are available for purchase online at Ballet 5:8 | Lost Women of Juárez | Harris Theater (harristheaterchicago.org). Specific children, student, and senior ticket prices are available. For groups of 10 or more adults, patrons can use the code: B58GROUP to redeem $5 off each ticket.
ABOUT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JULIANNA RUBIO SLAGER
Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director, Co-Founder, and Chicana Resident Choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager studied under notable teachers from New York City Ballet, the Vaganova Academy, and Puerto Rican National Ballet. Her philosophy on teaching ballet centers on holistic methods that honor each student’s unique voice and give students of every background the ability to flourish in her classroom. She has had the privilege of working daily at the School of Ballet 5:8 and has guest taught at over 100 schools across the United States. In 2023 Rubio Slager was awarded the coveted position of National Visiting Fellow at the School of American Ballet.
A 2023 finalist for the Chicago DanceMakers Forum, Rubio Slager is a groundbreaking figure within the field, serving as one of the few Mexican American Artistic Directors and Resident Choreographers of professional ballet companies in the world. She hopes that her leadership and creative work at Ballet 5:8 will pave the way for other women and minorities to command space in professional ballet.
ABOUT BALLET 5:8
Ballet 5:8 is a female and minority-led premiere ballet company recognized for remarkable artistic excellence, innovation, technical precision, and beauty. Mexican American Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager creates original and dynamic ballet experiences drawing from life, faith, current events, and diverse perspectives that tell relevant stories of the 21st century. Rubio Slager brings to life ballets that are relatable and accessible to all people, delighting both the seasoned balletomane and the first time audience. For more information about Ballet 5:8, visit www.Ballet58.org and connect on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.