Oral history interview with Heather Victorson conducted by Nancy Hardy on June 26, 2003 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Victorson discusses her early life in Nairobi, Kenya and London, England. She remembers being enrolled into the Royal Ballet School, and her experience dancing in show productions for the Royal Ballet Company. Victorson talks about winning a dancing audition that required her to move to Las Vegas, Nevada, dancing in the Lido de Paris show at the Stardust, and wearing showgirl costumes. Victorson describes lounge shows, working topless for the first time, and dancing in Vive les Girls. Lastly, Victorson discusses the future of Las Vegas dance shows.
Oral history interview with Virginia Houser conducted by Karen Reed on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Houser discusses her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1954 and the developments and changes that she has observed in the city. Houser also discusses the entertainment that Las Vegas, Nevada offered at the time, and surrounding areas, including Lake Mead and Mount Charleston, Nevada. Houser then discusses some of the first casinos that opened on the Las Vegas Strip and on Fremont Street.
Oral history interview with Pete Menefee conducted by Su Kim Chung on April 14, 2016 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Menefee begins the interview by talking about his childhood in San Diego, California, where he took dancing classes starting at the age of ten. He discusses working as a dancer on shows starring Dick Van Dyke, Terry Gar, Goldie Hawn, and Elvis. Menefee recalls working in shows and musicals including Bye Bye Birdie, Fair Lady, and Viva Las Vegas. He describes his evolution as a costume designer and stage designer from his childhood creating miniature stages of Disney shows to creating costumes for shows on the Las Vegas Strip, Nevada. He also talks about surviving the MGM Grand fire in 1980.
Oral history interview with Monteria Hightower conducted by Claytee D. White on February 28, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Hightower discusses her career as a librarian who has worked across the United States. She begins by talking about her upbringing in Texas and the multiple universities she has attended to study library science. Hightower describes her experiences with racial discrimination as an African American woman and how racism affected her personal and professional life. Hightower also discusses her time as the Nevada State Librarian from 1998 to 2001 and living in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Peter Gratton conducted by Claytee D. White on February 26, 2009 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview Peter Gratton recalls graduating from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 1981. He then discusses starting a career at the UNLV University libraries and becoming the Administrative Assistant III for the Lied Library Building Department.
Oral history interview with Rakesh Bhatnagar conducted by Claytee D. White on April 10, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Bhatnagar discusses his early life in India. He remembers immigrating to the United States, enrolling at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and earning a degree in hotel administration. Bhatnagar talks about his employment at the Las Vegas Hilton as a busboy, becoming captain in the room service department, and being selected to be Director of Purchasing in 1982. He describes transferring to the Sands Hotel and Casino, working with Sheldon Adelson, and obtaining a position at Vegas World. Lastly, Bhatnagar discusses starting his company, Hospitality Procurement and Design.
Oral history interview with Monica Gresser conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 20, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Gresser discusses her upbringing in El Campo, Texas and her initial interests in architecture. She recalls attending Texas Tech University and the University of Houston, designing sustainable buildings, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001. Gresser talks about gentrification in the Las Vegas downtown area, low-income communities, and the environmental conditions in disadvantaged areas. Later, Gresser describes her focus on developing transitional housing for military veterans and unhoused individuals, hostile architecture, and the issue of poverty across the United States.
Oral history interview with Donald L. Eckert conducted by Robert A. Kamp on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas, Nevada. In this interview Donald Eckert discusses the geographical boundaries of Las Vegas when he was first born and the types of recreation people would take part in. He then talks about the Helldorado Parade, how the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has changed, the MGM Grand Hotel fire, horse racing, changes in gaming, the Basic Magnesium plant, and the development of Mount Charleston.
Oral history interview with Robert Foster conducted by Kelley Tuchman on March 02, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Foster first talks about his background in the military and his eventual teaching experience in special education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Foster then discusses helping the development of the special education field in Clark County and throughout the country, including the legislation and training toward the education program itself. Foster ends the interview by recalling his personal experiences and importance of helping the mentally and physically disabled.
Oral history interview with Mei Yang conducted by Jourdin Wilson on November 10, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) professor and graduate coordinator Mei Yang talks about her family and childhood in Shanxi Province, southwestern China. She shares her educational background pursuing her bachelor's and master's degrees in China before immigrating to the United States to earn her PhD in Computer Science from the University of Texas, Dallas. Mei Yang talks about her move to Las Vegas, Nevada, her work and professorship at UNLV, and her thoughts on pursuing a STEM (science technology engineering math) career as a woman. She shares how she raises her daughters in the United States away from her husband overseas, the Chinese community within Las Vegas, and traditions she celebrates.