Ballet 5:8 Adapts to ICE Concerns with Virtual Arts Education
Ballet 5:8, a nonprofit arts organization based in Orland Park, Illinois, has developed virtual field trips to provide arts education to communities affected by ICE raids. The company was in the process of adapting 'The House on Mango Street' by Sandra Cisneros into a ballet when concerns over safety due to ICE operations prevented schools from attending live performances. In response, Ballet 5:8 created professionally filmed performances with educational supplements that can be accessed remotely. These virtual field trips are supported by state and federal grants, making them accessible to schools and libraries across Illinois. The initiative aims to provide arts access to communities with limited resources and to spark conversations on life, faith, and human dignity. 
