This holiday season marks an exciting artistic first for the South Suburbs, as Ballet 5:8 and the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) collaborate to present Beyond the Nutcracker. The partnership brings live symphonic performance and original ballet storytelling together on one stage, offering audiences a rich and immersive approach to a seasonal favorite.
The collaboration began when Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director Julianna Slager and Ballet 5:8 Executive Director Jeremy Slager connected with IPO about the idea of working together. IPO Executive Director Christina Salerno recalls the moment clearly. “When Julianna reached out to me months ago regarding the possibility of working together on ‘Beyond the Nutcracker,’ I was immediately interested,” she says. “Dance and live music go hand in hand.”
Jeremy describes the collaboration as something that aligns closely with both organizations’ missions. “From the beginning, Ballet 5:8 has been committed to bringing high-level artistry to audiences all across Chicagoland, and the Illinois Philharmonic shares that same heart,” he says. “They’re an orchestra that believes world-class music belongs in the suburbs, and we’re a dance company that believes world-class ballet does too.”
Beyond the Nutcracker tells a story inspired by the familiar holiday ballet but takes place in a new setting and emotional landscape. “Beyond the Nutcracker follows a young girl, Emma, in post-war England — a time when people were searching for hope again,” Jeremy explains. “Through her journey, we explore how peace and goodwill can actually take root in our hearts. It’s still magical and joyful, but the message runs deeper: Christmas isn’t about escape, it’s about transformation.”
He hopes that resonates with audiences. “My hope is that audiences leave inspired to live out the message of the season: that love and compassion have the power to change the world.”
For Christina, bringing live orchestral music to this production supports both the artistic storytelling and the experience of being present in a performance space. “Audiences love to hear an orchestra warming up when they enter a theater,” she says. “The sounds and vibrations bring a fullness and warmth to the space that digital reproductions, even very good ones, cannot compete with, and dancers get energized and inspired by live music.”
She notes that performing ballet with a live orchestra echoes the origins of the art form. “In 1892 when ‘The Nutcracker’ premiered, the music and the dance were one,” she says. “So, in some ways, ensuring that live music is a part of this production is bringing the work back to its original intention.”
For the dancers, Jeremy says the live music creates an elevated performance environment. “It’s electric. There’s an immediacy to dancing with a live orchestra that you can’t replicate with a recording. The dancers feel the energy of the musicians, and that dialogue between sound and movement becomes very alive. Every performance breathes a little differently.”
Preparing for that type of collaboration requires careful coordination. “Our rehearsal process includes working closely with the conductor to find those shared rhythms and emotional cues,” Jeremy shares. Christina adds, “Rehearsals in advance of the performance are essential to ensure not only technical precision but also cooperation and understanding.”
Both organizations see the partnership as a meaningful cultural offering for the region. “IPO is passionate about ensuring live orchestral music is a vibrant part of the South Suburban community,” Salerno says. “Partnering with Ballet 5:8 is a wonderful way to support the ballet’s artistic vision, while increasing the availability of opportunities for area residents to experience, enjoy, and fall in love with live music.”
For Ballet 5:8, the collaboration represents growth while staying grounded in accessibility. “It’s a milestone moment,” Jeremy says. “Partnering with an orchestra of this caliber elevates everything — not only artistically, but also in how audiences experience our work.”
The experience remains deeply personal for Salerno, who previously danced professionally. “I personally performed in approximately 600 performances of The Nutcracker around the world,” she shares, making this collaboration particularly meaningful.
Both see the partnership as part of a broader vision for nurturing the arts locally. “IPO has a long history of partnering with other local arts organizations and community groups,” Salerno explains. Jeremy adds, “This production is a love letter to our community. It’s proof that incredible art can grow right here, not just in big cities, but in the south suburbs.”
More than just a performance, Beyond the Nutcracker represents a celebration of collaboration and community. By uniting the grace of Ballet 5:8 with the artistry of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, this production highlights the power of the arts to bring people together. It’s an invitation to families and neighbors alike to share in the wonder of the season, creating memories that will last well beyond the final curtain.