Oral history interview with Margot Mink Colbert conducted by Barbara Tabach on November 11, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Colbert discusses her Jewish heritage and her background in ballet dancing. She also talks about “Transitions Trilogy,” her original story of Jewish immigration into New York and Jewish contributions to mainstream media, all expressed through dance.
Archival Collection
The Ruthadele Stearns Doyle Lathrop Personal Papers (1900s-1991) contains scrapbooks, slides, and matted competition photographs created by Ruthadele Stearns Doyle Lathrop, a photographer and ballroom dancer. The scrapbooks include photographs of Ruthadele’s family, travels, and ballroom dance competitions, as well as newspaper clippings and other ephemera. The slides and matted photographs consist mostly of Western landscape scenes, including California and Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lindell Blake conducted by Claytee D. White on January 12, 2006 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Blake discusses his personal history and moving to New York, New York at the age of three. Blake talks about his life in New York, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1990, and his starting his career as a tap dancer. He talks about performing in various productions across the United States, and teaching tap dancing. Lastly, Blake recalls the history of tap dancing in the United States and describes the audition process for dancers in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview roundtable with the Austin Family and Chazz Young conducted by Claytee D. White on August 06, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, the Austin family discusses their dance school, Austin Dancers, which they brought with them when they moved to Las Vegas, Nevada from New York City, New York in 1993. Linda Austin discusses her early interest in drumming, which later lead to a successful career as a musician, where she performed for celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Maya Angelou, and played with other musicians such as Quincy Jones. Charles "Chazz" Young also discusses his career as a dance teacher at Austin Dancers and the West Las Vegas Arts Center. The family discusses the cultural differences between Las Vegas and Harlem, where they came from in New York City, as well as the differences between teaching the children of Las Vegas compared to the children they taught in New York.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Keena Smith conducted by Winita Frederick on November 25, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses her personal history and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She describes what Las Vegas was like as a child, her upbringing in dance, and the significance that participating in the arts has on her life. Smith describes the auditioning process for shows in Las Vegas, her experience as an African American dancer, and being a cast member for
Archival Collection
The Dottie Dee Dancers Photograph Collection (approximately 1940-2008) consists of black-and-white photographic reprints of the La Bard Dancers and the Dottie Dee Dancers at the El Rancho in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Charlotte Mugleston Kelly conducted by Claytee D. White on August 07, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Mugleston Kelly discusses attending Las Vegas High School and being a dancer in the Rhythmettes, Las Vegas High School's female dance group. She describes Evelyn Stuckey, the coach for the group, the performances the Rhythmettes had at different venues, and life in Las Vegas during the 1950s. Mugleston Kelly also talks about owning and operating liquor stores and bars with her husband, how Las Vegas has changed, and her family history.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerry Jackson conducted by Su Kim Chung on February 12, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Jackson discusses his career as a dancer, choreographer, costume designer, and producer of shows in Las Vegas, Nevada and around the world. Jackson describes dancing at the Desert Inn, Moulin Rouge, Tropicana, and touring with production shows. He then recalls living in Las Vegas from the 1950s through the 1970s and compares the quality of show production throughout the years. He talks about his career with the production
Archival Collection