Ballet 5:8’s groundbreaking production uses classical ballet and film to bring a story inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter to life.

Scarlet features original choreography by Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director Julianna Slager, film elements directed by choreographer and film producer Preston Miller, spoken word by Chicago-based artist Kylla Pate, and a score by American modernist composer Charles Ives. 

The full-length ballet follows the iconic Hester Prynne as she wrestles with her open guilt and grief in a judgmental society, while Reverend Dimmesdale suffers in silence with his secret sin and love. This classic story delves into the timeless struggles of hypocrisy, shame and ultimately, the hope of redemption..

All performances will conclude with an optional audience-interactive panel discussion with Slager, collaborating artists and dancers from the production. 

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