Nevada Ballet Theatre names new artistic director

Roy Kaiser, artistic director emeritus of Pennsylvania Ballet, has been named artistic director of Nevada Ballet Theatre.

“Over the course of two decades, he grew Pennsylvania Ballet into one of the nation’s leading companies — demonstrating true loyalty and dedication to furthering our art form,” Jerry Nadal, co-chairman of NBT’s board of trustees, said in a statement. “We look forward to working with Roy to cultivate new audiences and elevate our national identity.”

Kaiser trained with the San Francisco Ballet School and School of Pennsylvania Ballet before joining Pennsylvania Ballet in 1979. He served as the company’s principal dancer, assistant ballet master, ballet master and associate artistic director before being appointed its artistic director in 1995.

He replaces James Canfield, who served as NBT’s artistic director from 2009 until his contract expired June 30. Kaiser is just the fourth artistic director of the Nevada Ballet Theatre, which is entering its 46th season.

NBT includes 35 professional dancers and the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre, which Kaiser will oversee, that trains 450 students.

Nevada Ballet Theatre will present “A Choreographers’ Showcase,” its annual collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, Sunday and Oct. 14-15 in the Mystere Theatre at Treasure Island.