La Llorona

About this event

Ballet 5:8 brings La Llorona to Elgin for a special Halloween afternoon performance at The Hemmens Cultural Center. A legend, reimagined with empathy, La Llorona follows María, a young mother overwhelmed by exhaustion, isolation, and postpartum depression. Through powerful choreography, a haunting score, and theatrical storytelling, Ballet 5:8 looks beyond the familiar ghost story to uncover a deeply human story about motherhood, family, mental health, and the power of compassion. Created by Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager, a Mexican American choreographer and mother of three, the ballet invites audiences to see one of Latin America’s most enduring legends from a new perspective. Told entirely through dance, the production is accessible to both English- and Spanish-speaking audiences without a language barrier. This special Halloween performance is appropriate for an intergenerational audience and approaches its serious themes with care rather than graphic imagery or horror. Costumes are encouraged, making it a memorable way to begin Halloween celebrations before the evening’s festivities. Come for the legend. Leave with compassion. Ballet 5:8’s official materials describe the production as an all-ages, non-verbal work focused on maternal mental health, with program information available in English and Spanish.