Dancing Las Vegas, 2004

What is the perception of dancers working in Las Vegas? Most are well-trained dancers with long careers, while others are still waiting for their big break. Are they selling out, or merely living a version of the American dream? Dancing Las Vegas is a short documentary about the dance community living and working in Las Vegas. Often dismissed as “merely showgirls,” the dancers who perform in Vegas often battle against the stereotype of being strippers or prostituting their abilities. Yet, with the dance market so competitive, classically trained dancers from the ballet or modern world need to make a living. Does this mean that they have sacrificed their integrity? That their art is no longer as “authentic” or is “low art” as opposed to “high art?” With the changing face of Vegas and the lack of support for tradition dance companies, dancers are ending up on the stage in Vegas.

Co-director: Yannis Adoniou
Edited by: Dena Mermelstein

10 minutes long

FESTIVALS + SCREENINGS

THE PLACE DANCE FILM DAY
December 2005
London, England

IMZ DANCE SCREEN
June 2005
Brighton, England

GALLATIN ARTS FESTIVAL
April 2005
New York, USA

HOBOKEN DIGITAL FILM SOCIETY
February 2005
New Jersey, USA

CINEDANS AMSTERDAM
July 2004
Amsterdam, The Netherlands