Show & Tell: Meet Lisa Thibodeau of ‘Tournament of Kings’

Meet Lisa Thibodeau

“Tournament of Kings”

Hometown: Las Vegas

Age: 29

Her dad and mom met while doing a Rainbow Company production of “The Wizard of Oz” (Dad played Oz, Mom played the Wicked Witch of the West). ... Started dancing, and fell in love with ballet, at age 3. ... Also tried gymnastics and violin (“I decided I’d rather dance to it than play it”). ... After graduating from Boulder City High School, spent two years as a trainee and two years as a company member with Ballet Magnificat in Jackson, Miss. ... Also performed with Ballet Mississippi before returning to Las Vegas and joining “Tournament of Kings.” ... Her husband, Gregg Paulson, also performs in the show. ... Enjoys outdoor activities, including snowboarding and rock climbing. ... Would like to return to teaching ballet someday.

On transitioning from ballet
to ‘Tournament of Kings’:

“Dancing in the dirt is not the easiest thing to do. It definitely took some getting used to, training your muscles to adjust to a nonflat surface. But it went really well. ... It’s a great job. I get to do what I’ve trained my entire life to do. I get to do ballet, even if it’s in the dirt (laughs). I play dress-up and play in a sandbox! I’m just supergrateful and lucky to have my job. I’m a dancer on the Strip, in Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world!”