Cover Story
Boulder City Ballet Company
by Amy Arnaz

Amidst the pink buildings that line Hotel Plaza and the sweet smell of fresh fudge drifting from the open door of Grandma Daisy’s, a magical world exists inside the Boulder Theatre.  It is here, on our stage, that weekly ballet classes are given for the most dedicated ballet students in Boulder City.   While the theatre appears closed to folks walking by, it is alive inside. 

We have raised the barre for dancers who want to dance for BCBC.  Starting last Fall we required our older dancers to attend more ballet classes beyond the weekly classes they take through Dance Etc. 

Why? Because we want all of our BCBC productions, like The Nutcracker, to continue to improve each year and that will only happen if the dancers continue to improve.  I think our dancers are wonderful, but we are striving for excellence.  This season we will be asking our younger dancers to also take additional ballet classes.  These “Company Classes” offered at the theatre are given at no cost to the students. 

Two marvelous instructors drive to Boulder City each week from Las Vegas to help us accomplish that goal.  They are Justin Lex, who teaches “partnering” class and Ed Rumberger who gives a 90 minute technique class to our more advanced level dancers.

In these classes our dancers strengthen their technique, increase their flexibility and stamina and learn more about the classical ballet world.

Justin Lex has been active in BCBC for seven years.  Besides teaching the Partnering Class, where dancers learn how to dance with a partner and execute high lifts, Justin has also performed in our Nutcracker Ballet productions as Drosselmeyer, The Nutcracker and the Prince during the Grand Pas de Deux.

I have known Ed Rumberger (fondly called Mr. Ed by our dancers) for 30 years having worked with him during the years I danced with Nevada Dance Theatre.  He is very loved and respected in the ballet world.  Dancers who make the effort to attend Mr. Ed’s classes are very serious about becoming better dancers and their attendance in class sends a strong signal to me that they want to participate more in BCBC.  It is here that we are cultivating the dancers who will perform the leading roles such as Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, Dew Drop Fairy and other solo parts in our next Nutcracker production.

The next time you wander past the Boulder Theatre, listen for the sound of classical music and Mr. Ed’s voice saying, “Jump!  Point your toes!  Good job, girls!” 

Although we sell tickets to all of our productions, ticket sales alone do not cover the expense of operating the ballet company, purchasing new costumes, paying our instructors or renting backdrops. We are non-profit and happily accept donations. Please keep us in mind if you are looking for a wonderful organization in need of donations.

Our office is located inside the Boulder Theatre at BCBC, 1225 Arizona Street, Boulder City, NV 89005, or call us at (702) 293-1161, or visist us online at www.missamys.com.

On the cover, Jayce Jaynes is seen dancing the Spanish Solo in BCBC’s The Nutcracker. Photo by Andy Cattoir.