Company Artists

Company Members
		Stephanie Powell	Principal dancer - is currently a Dance professor at Long Beach City College and University of California, Irvine. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Dance with distinction from the University of California at Irvine. as a Chancellor’s Fellow and was honored with the Celebration of Teaching Award from the Claire Trevor School of the Arts. Ms. Powell’s dance training began with Cindy Trueblood at the Civic Dance Center in Bakersfield California. Ms. Powell’s studies continued on scholarship with Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle, Washington and the School of American Ballet at the Julliard School in New York City. She received her B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley in Sociology and Education while dancing professionally with the Oakland Ballet Company. Other companies in her concert dance career include the San Francisco Opera, Moving Arts, Robert Henry Johnson Dance Company, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, Donald Byrd/The Group and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Ms. Powell performed in the Los Angeles production of the Broadway show “The Lion King” where she danced featured roles as well as performed as a principal singer and actress. Additionally, Powell has modeled internationally for Redken and Trevor Sorbie of the UK. She has appeared on television and danced commercially for artists such as MC Hammer, Kenny G., Janet Jackson, and Beyonce Knowles. She is a certified instructor of the New York City Ballet Workout and actively stages and performs solo works of Professor Donald McKayle. Ms. Powell travels internationally doing her solo choreography and has presented her research on African- American women in Ballet at the Congress on Research in Dance conference. Ms. Powell was recently awarded the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient from the Claire Trevor School of the Arts at the University of California, Irvine.
		Jon Bookout	Principal Dancer – Jon grew up in Boulder Colorado, Jon’s passion for performance started out in competitive gymnast at the age of 15. I quickly realized there was more to the world of performance than sticking a perfect landing and became interested in Stage work and the creative process. Starting out at pro-action in a two-person trampoline act, I diversified my abilities and knowledge of stage work until landing Spiderman Live, a touring equity production as the understudy to peter parker/Spiderman. After surviving a broken foot and several surgeries, Dragone Productions picked me up for the creation and a career settled at Wynn Las Vegas for the production of Le Reve.
		Erin Christiansen	Erin has trained at EDGE Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, Hubbard Street in Chicago and Broadway Dance Center in New York City. She performed in the International Dance Festival in Kiel, Germany as well as Korea National Sport University in Seoul, Korea. Erin recently earned a BFA in dance from the UNLV. She has trained with such guest artists as Randy Duncan, Douglas Dunn, Mark Swanhart, John Lehrer, the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, James Jeon, Greg Beilemeier, as well as Charmaine Hunter and Bernard Gaddis who gave her this amazing opportunity to be apart of Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater.
		Heather Farrell	Heather is currently attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for a BFA in dance. She has spent the past two summers in Chicago working on scholarship with companies such as Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and Hubbard Street. Aside from her training with LVCDT, she has worked with choreographers such as Randy Duncan, Mark Swanhart and Jon Lehrer. Heather was also chosen to help in the collaboration with the Korean National Sports University and performed last fall in Seoul, Korea.
		Michael T. Forsch	Michael's dance credits include: Tybalt in Romeo & Juliet (California Theatrical Ballet), Lord Varick in To Die the Death (De’Ath Ballet Los Angeles), Choreographer/Dancer in Jessie O (Boricua Films), Cavalier in The Nutcracker (San Pedro City Ballet), Dance Company in The Glory of Christmas (Crystal Cathedral) and Prince in The Snow Queen (Glendale College Theatre) and with Keshet Chaim (international folk dance) at the Kodak Theatre. He has appeared in the independent films: Longing, Dismembered, Not Old Enough, That Was Then and Sweet Billy of the Happy Gang. His television and theatre credits include: “The Wonder Years” and “Thirtysomething”, as well as performances at The La Mirada Theatre and the Steppin’ Out Musical Theatre.
		Ross Gibson
		Lindsey Hashiguchi	Lindsey began her dance training at the age of 6. She has recently received her BFA in dance education from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. There, she also performed with Eleone Dance Theatre. Currently, Lindsey works for the Clark County School district as a dance instructor at Eldorado High School.
		Hanifa Jackson
		Jacqueline Pagone	Jacqueline has performed with San Pedro City Ballet, Media City Ballet (Burbank, Ca.), Ballet Chicago, and Civic Ballet of Chicago. She has participated in International Dance Showcases in California, Florida, Chicago and Madrid, Spain. She has received grants and scholarships for dance training at The Chicago Academy for the Arts and The Ruth Page Foundation, & has trained with Houston Ballet, American Ballet Theater & San Diego Ballet. Jacqueline is thrilled to be performing with the Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater, and dedicates her performance to Rodney Irwin & Anna Paskevska, incredible teachers who have passed away this year.
		Joe Rivera	Joseph moved to the U.S. in 2000 in search of higher education and better opportunities. He found his love for dancing in High School in New Jersey. Joseph attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where he received his BFA in Jazz/Theater Performance in 2006. He also worked with Eleone Dance Theater while attending the university. He danced professionally as a dancer at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Miss New Jersey Pageant, and Holland America Cruise Lines. Joseph is currently a dancer in Donn Arden’s Jubilee! Vegas Show.
		Agnes Roux	Comes to LVCDT from Montpellier France at the age of nine Agnes started her dance training at The National Conservatory for Dance and graduated with honors finishing her trainings at the top of her class ending up with a gold metal for excellence. Her training continued with conservatories and competitions from all parts France leaving with the highest honors from all of them. Resulting in a hired position with the Chairman of the nation French dance competitions. Ms. Roux then joined the Repertory Dance Company “Jeune Ballet De France” as a principal dancer for the next two years touring throughout Europe and The United States, and Mexico. Ms. Rpoux has worked with well-known choreographers such as Reddha Benoit Pouffer and Carolyn Carlson. Ms.Roux was asked by Artistic Director and choreographer Karine Saporta to joined “The Centre Choreographique Nation Dance Co”. She work closely with the choreographer in a collaboration with The Ekaterinburg Ballet. Touring in Asia and France. Ms. Roux Then toured as a Guest Artist for various companies around Eurpoe before ending up in Las Vegas where she is a Principal Lead Character in” Cirque Du Soleil’s” Hit show “Zumanity”. Ms. Roux has worked closely with The Artistic Director Bernard Gaddis as his muse and comes to LVCDT as a Principal dancer with the company.
		Jamal Story
Company Apprentices
		Courtney Cooke	Courtney attended UNLV and graduated May 2007 with a B.F.A in Dance – Performance and Choreography. She has worked with such choreographers as; James Jeon, Randy Duncan, Charmaine Hunter, Mark Swanhart, Dolly Kelepecz, Richard Havey, and Louis Kavouras. Courtney plans to one day get her masters and pursue her love of choreography.
		Erin Downey	Erin is currently studying at UNLV working towards her Bachelor of Fine Arts, she plans to graduate in 2009. She has also trained with the Houston Ballet Academy and Ballet Memphis. When she’s not dancing she enjoys teaching yoga and spending time with her family.
		Justin Lex	Justin began in Minnesota for broadcasting. He joined the Continental Ballet Company in Minneapolis and performed in such works as: ‘Peter and the Wolf’, ‘Rodeo’, ‘Cinderella’, and ‘The Nutcracker’. Justin continued his education in technical theater and ballet at Point Park College. Justin moved to Las Vegas 4 years ago, where he worked with Pirates, Comedians, Magicians, and Blue Men. His dance work has been featured in the ‘Nutcracker’ as a guest performer with the Boulder City Ballet and most recently he performed in ‘Dance in the Desert’ with Threshold Dance Theater.
		Raegen Pruitt	Currently achieving a BFA degree in Dance Performance and Choreographyat the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I have danced in theInternational Dance Festival in Kiel, Germany; the Fringe Festival inAdelaide, Australia; Ribbon of Life Performance, Las Vegas and the UNLV company concerts.
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