Of Splendors and Horrors, choreographed by Julianna Rubio Slager, is a ballet inspired by C.S. Lewis’s essay The Weight of Glory. Slager transforms Lewis’s philosophical exploration into a vivid journey that contemplates the profound nature of humanity and the eternal significance of each individual. The ballet reflects on Lewis’s notion that “there are no ordinary people,” capturing both the splendor and weight of human existence, where every encounter holds the potential for transformation.

Through a blend of evocative movement and deeply expressive choreography, Slager explores themes of identity, purpose, and transcendence, challenging the audience to look beyond the surface to recognize the divine potential within each person. Each movement unfolds as a reflection on the complexities of human life—its beauty and darkness, its joys and sorrows—while guiding the viewer toward an understanding of the “glory” and “horror” of the human soul. Of Splendors and Horrors is a journey that invites introspection, reminding audiences of the extraordinary in the everyday and the weight of our interactions with others.