Nevada Ballet Theatre’s popular artistic director, Bruce Steivel, has stepped down after more than 10 years. In that time, Steivel supervised NBT’s move to a Summerlin facility, brought in new dancers, guest choreographers and teachers and added 30 ballets to the repertoire—13 by visiting choreographers and 17 of his own. The company has grown from 23 dancers to 41.
NBT will mount an international search for a new director, which could extend to the end of 2008. Especially with its anticipated move to the new Smith Center, “The company is in a strong position to attract high-level candidates,” Executive Director Beth Barbre said.
So far, only one scheduling change has been announced. The February 8–9 program, which includes works by George Balanchine and Twyla Tharp, won’t feature its originally planned new Steivel ballet. But Barbre said his works will remain in the repertory, including his much-loved Nutcracker.