Oral history interviews with Vassili Sulich conducted by Gerald A. Villa on March 23 and May 4, 2002 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In these interviews, Sulich recalls his upbringing and his experiences as a child during World War II, his study of ballet, and the beginning of his professional life with several ballet companies in France. He then recounts his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1964 to produce the Folies Bergere (Las Vegas) at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino, a position he held for nine years. In 1972 he began teaching ballet at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and formed the Nevada Ballet Theatre. He continues talking about his philosophy of dance, the changing perspective of male ballet dancers, and the process of working as the artictic director of a ballet company, and the extreme toll constant practice and performance have on the physical and emotional state of dancers. Finally, he discusses his resignation from the Nevada Dance Theatre and a ballet he choreographed in his mother's memory.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Pearl Hughes conducted by Katherine D. Beal on February 11, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Hughes discusses her family's early arrival to Las Vegas, Nevada after moving from Salinas, California. Her family then bought and operated a motel in North Las Vegas, Nevada between the late 1940s to 1950. Hughes also discusses the growth of the hotel and casino industry, city urban development, community interactions, Las Vegas, Nevada celebrities, atomic testing, and President John F. Kennedy's assassination.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Richard Bryan conducted by Kristin Guthre on November 10, 2011 and an unknown date for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bryan begins by discussing his father’s time as a law student in Washington, D.C. and the influence his father had on his decision to pursue law. Bryan then chronicles moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1940s and growing up in the Huntridge Community near Charleston Boulevard. Bryan recounts attending both the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, California. Bryan describes his experiences in the Las Vegas District Attorney’s office and the Army Reserve. He then recalls his political career as a member of the Nevada Senate, his role as the Attorney General of Nevada, the Governor of Nevada, and as a United States Senator. Lastly, Bryan discusses political issues in Nevada and the United States during his time in office such as debates about renewable energy, environmentalism, and preservation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Smith conducted by Dennis McBride on June 28, 2002 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses his life as a priest of the Christian Orthodox church and a gay man. He describes his experiences living in an Orthodox monastery, his interactions with the gay community of Las Vegas, Nevada since the 1960s, and other gay priests Smith has known. Smith also details bringing in speakers for talks with his gay congregation to provide information on topics including sexually transmitted diseases and careers. He concludes by discussing his involvement with gay student groups at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Thelma Coblentz conducted by Judith Chavez on February 17, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Coblentz discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada and some of the medical services she helped to provide at Nellis Air Force Base. Coblentz later describes Downtown Las Vegas, specifically the development of the casinos and shopping businesses. Coblentz concludes with a discussion on the first physicians in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Brooks conducted by Jeff Kennedy on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske ORal History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview Brooks discusses gaming, education, the early above-ground atomic blasts, the Boulder Dam, and social and environmental changes in Nevada. Brooks also discusses the Old Ranch, economic changes, religion, politics, family life, the Navy, sports, the railroad, Fremont Street, and the hotels on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ruth Hazard conducted by John Neal on March 08, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hazard goes in-depth about her knowledge of municipal politics and her husband’s friendships with a number of Nevada politicians. Hazard also briefly talks about her fascination with the above-ground atomic tests, speakeasies during Prohibition, and local anxieties about Las Vegas, Nevada “losing its identity.”
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lois Sagel by Jeff Van Ee on April 4, 2009 for the Voices for Nevada's Environment Oral History Project. In this interview, Sagel describes how her upbringing in Montana and Big Bear, California gave her a deep appreciation for nature and wilderness. She talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada as a young wife and mother in 1958, how families would take their children to watch the above-ground nuclear tests at the Nevada Test Site, and how the rapid growth and enroaching development in the city was not matched by planned infrastructure improvements. She explains how her desire to protect Nevada's environment increased as she saw developers moving toward the mountains surrounding Las Vegas, how this pushed her into the environmental justice movement, and her long association with the Soroptimists organization.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Andrea Gardea conducted by Barbara Tabach on June 26, 2019 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. Gardea starts talking about her early life, family, and family history. She explains why she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2002 and why she chose to attend University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After, Gardea describes what happened before and during the Route 91 Harvest festival, what she experienced during the shooting, and her journey in escaping the scene. She talks about the aftermath of the shooting, the trauma and PTSD experienced, and her healing process. Gardea also talks about the making of Engelland’s Vegas Born Heroes Foundation in 2018, what they do, and what they represent. Lastly, she talks about her opinions on gun control and her viewpoint on making peace.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harvey Diederich conducted by K.J. Evans on January 4, 1999 for the Las Vegas Review-Journal First 100 Oral History Project. Diederich first discusses his background and education in journalism and later discusses the relationship between the Las Vegas News Bureau and hotel/casino publicists. Diederich then discusses some of his specific projects, such as those dealing with celebrities. Diederich also mentions some of the individuals he has worked for and the various cities he has travelled to for work.
Archival Collection