Nevada Ballet Theatre, the first shining star in a cultural desert
When it comes to culture in Las Vegas, one professional ballet company has been keeping the city on its toes for the last 38 years.
Nevada Ballet Theatre came to life in 1972, the vision of one man named Vassili Sulich who, at that time, was the principal dancer with the Tropicana Hotel and Casino’s “Folies Bergere.” Gathering a group of volunteer ballet dancers together from all over the Las Vegas Strip, he presented a series of dance concerts to the public at the University of Las Vegas (UNLV) Performing Arts Center’s Judy Bayley Theatre. Thanks to the overwhelming positive reception by the community, together with the support of UNLV, within two years a volunteer board headed by founding chairman and former dancer Nancy Houssels was established.
With that, Sulich’s volunteer dancers became Nevada Dance Theatre and during the next 25 years of his leadership, together with Houssels pioneer spirit, a company of national stature emerged. In 1997, Bruce Steivel joined the company as its second artistic director, and the organization was renamed Nevada Ballet Theatre. Today, it is the largest professional ballet company and dance academy in the state
A world-class ballet company and training academy continues to take shape. NBT’s 36,000–square-foot state-of-the-art facility in Summerlin, made possible by a 1996 grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation and a donation of land from The Howard Hughes Corporation, features seven dance studios, scenery and costume room, administrative offices, a corporate board room, a dance boutique and a fully equipped Pilates studio. Here, students of all ages train side by side with professional dancers.
Now under the direction of Artistic Director James Canfield, the company continues to be a leading force in the live performing arts in Nevada. With an ambitious schedule of performances, development of local talent and a commitment to outreach and education, today’s Nevada Ballet Theatre commands status on the national scale while touching thousands of lives in Las Vegas.
Dancers for the company hail from around the world and include artists with international performing experience. The repertory is eclectic, including 20th century master works from famous choreographers such as George Balanchine, Sir Frederick Ashton, and Twyla Tharp, as well as contemporary choreographers Peter Anastos, Val Caniparoli, Bruce Steivel and James Canfield.
Ballets to be presented in the 2009-2010 season include two Las Vegas premieres, Coco and Jungle choreographed by Artistic Director James Canfield as well as a revival of George Balanchine’s Rubies. Three world premieres will also comprise this colorful season including Song of the Nightingale by KÀ Artist Gail Gilbert, a new work by New York-based choreographer Thaddeus Davis and James Canfield’s first original work for the company, Cyclical Night. Holiday favorite The Nutcracker will also be presented as well as A Choreographers’ Showcase, the company’s third annual collaboration with Cirque du Soleil®. all ballets are performed at UNLV's Judy Bayley Theatre.
- by Bobbie Katz, Las Vegas Reporter for HelloMetro
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