He brought the valley stylized choreography and made an annual tradition of the "Nutcracker." Now Bruce Steivel, artistic director of the Nevada Ballet Company, has stepped down to pursue other interests. He celebrated his 10th anniversary with the company last season.
Steivel said he left with fond memories of the Nevada Ballet and seeing it embraced by the Las Vegas community.
"What I'll remember most about this company are the dancers and the wonderful relationship I had with them," Steivel said. "They are a very talented, hard-working group of people, and most importantly, human beings. I will miss them."
Steivel is currently in Europe to direct the Concours International de Danse Luxembourg, held by the International Ballet Association Luxembourg. While over there, he'll get to spend time with his daughter and grandchildren, he said.
He joined Nevada Ballet in 1997 as the Las Vegas-based company's second artistic director, succeeding Vassili Sulich, who was founding artistic director. The company's 36,000-square-foot Summerlin facility, at 1651 Inner Circle Drive, has seven dance studios for the professional company and the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre. In the past several years, the company has added 30 ballets to its repertory, 13 from visiting choreographers and 17 created by Steivel.
"Bruce put his heart and soul into the company, bringing in new dancers, guest choreographers and teachers, adding new ballets to the repertoire and taking the company on tour," said Nancy Houssels, co-founder and co-chairwoman of the ballet board. "We are grateful for his contributions."
The ballet company said it is in the very beginning stages of forming a search committee to find a successor for Steivel. Until that person is announced, Beth Barbre, executive director of the company, has been appointed chief executive officer of the organization. Barbre joined the ballet two seasons ago.
Barbre said the process of searching for Steivel's replacement could last until later this year.
"The search committee will establish the criteria on which we base our choice, so it would be premature to get too specific or rule out any possibilities at this point," she said. "However, I believe the committee will be open minded with regard to someone's previous experience as an artistic director."
A few of the attributes likely to be considered for any candidate include knowledge of the art form, connections with the ballet world, leadership and teaching skills, and a commitment to artistic excellence, Barbre said.
Steivel also led the ballet company's affiliated school, the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre. Under his guidance, the summer program was expanded and he frequently sought after its pre-professional students to be a part of the company as trainees. Those promising students had the opportunity to perform in professional company productions, giving them important stage experience and exposure.
"Bruce leaves us with a strong company of dancers, as we prepare to become the resident dance company of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in 2011," said Wendy Plaster, co-chairwoman of the Nevada Ballet Theatre board of directors.
The announcement comes at a time when the Nevada Ballet Theatre and the Las Vegas Philharmonic are poised for another major change. Both are expected to take up residency downtown in the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, a $360 million complex still in the planning stages, which will be near the Clark County Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway.
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