Ballet 5:8 to perform film-dance hybrid 'Scarlet' Feb. 17 in Elgin

This February, Ballet 5:8 will bring "Scarlet," its film/dance hybrid production inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," to the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin.

"Scarlet" originally premiered at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago in 2017.

Ballet 5:8's dramatic adaptation pairs original choreography by Ballet 5:8 artistic director Julianna Rubio Slager and a stunning score by American modernist composer Charles Ives, with spoken word created by Chicago artist Kylla Pate and film elements directed by Preston Miller.

"Scarlet" delves into the timeless struggles of hypocrisy, shame and ultimately, the hope of redemption. After each performance, audience members are invited to discuss their experience and ask questions during open panel discussion with Slager and artists of the company.

Audience members at the world premiere of "Scarlet" described the ballet as "spectacular," and "brilliantly choreographed."

The ballet follows the iconic Hester Prynne as she wrestles with her open guilt and grief in a judgmental society, while Rev. Dimmesdale suffers in silence with his secret sin and love. The story of "Scarlet" is difficult, but that is what makes redemption shine so brightly.

As a ballet-film hybrid production, "Scarlet" is on the cutting edge of multidisciplinary art. The production weaves the visual strength of film and the emotional impact of spoken word into the beauty, grace and power of ballet. Each artistic discipline adds a unique texture and voice into the narrative, creating a multilayered and dynamic experience within a timeless story.

According to Johnny Nevin of Dancermusic.com, "Ballet 5:8 is an imaginative, hard-working group of artists with some very carefully thought out ideas." Ballet 5:8's passion for telling captivating stories - such as those from classic literature - using ballet, other artistic disciplines, and a 21st-century perspective comes from the company's mission: to engage audiences in conversation of life and faith through innovative storytelling and breathtaking dance.

Artistic director and resident choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager is co-founder of the six-year old Ballet 5:8 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. Slager is also a groundbreaking figure within the field, as one of the few female artistic directors and resident choreographers of professional ballet companies in the world. As a woman of color with Hispanic heritage, she hopes that her leadership and creative work at Ballet 5:8 will pave the way for other women and minorities in professional ballet.

The single Elgin performance will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way in Elgin. Tickets are $30, $24 for students and seniors, and $15 for children.

Tickets can be purchased at ballet58.org or by calling (312) 725-4752. Performance information is available at ballet58.org/scarlet.

Ballet 5:8's 2017-18 season is made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Visit www.facebook.com/ballet58, twitter.com/Ballet58chi or www.instagram.com/ballet58/.