Former Cirque dancer looks to inspire youths through new NLV studio

Former Cirque du Soleil dancer Tyrell Rolle was living the Las Vegas high life. The socialite had it all — VIP suites, bottle service, easy access to popular clubs and plenty of friends.

Now, he’s working feverishly between being an early morning Uber driver and opening his own nonprofit dance studio.

The Rolle Project was born in 2008 out of his desire to create a company that allows resident professional artists and performers the opportunity to help youths become working commercial dancers, choreographers and performers. In 2015, it became a nonprofit, and this year, Rolle, 31, opened Studio 305, 3251 W. Craig Road, Suite 150, in North Las Vegas.

“There’s no time to eat or sleep when you’re trying to make a difference,” Rolle said. “I’ve been given the opportunity to allow kids to express themselves in ways that they never thought they could. Once you see the kids lay their hearts and souls on the floor, that’s all that matters.”

When a hip surgery kept him from performing full time in the Cirque’s Beatles-themed show “Love,” he chose to refocus his energy on his newest program — Project R.A.G.E. (Reaching-Above-Greater-Expectations). R.A.G.E. classes feature instruction in various dance styles, from hip-hop to ballet, along with acrobatics and musical theater. Rolle also plans to add music classes and modeling.

“This studio is so much more different than other dance studios because it allows children to be themselves,” instructor Dedrick Stewart said. “The Rolle Project is all about bringing a sense of empowerment and unity to Las Vegas.”

The company is geared toward mentoring and nurturing kids 4 to 18 in the appreciation and application of performing arts. Its primary focus is at-risk youths, as well as the children of veterans and disabled veterans, but it is open to anyone.

Rolle said he has helped drug dealers, teen prostitutes and other troubled youths find new directions through dance. He had his own set of challenges while growing up in Florida. His father was in prison, and his mother was a single parent, but that wasn’t the traumatizing part.

He was labeled a “code red student” (emotionally unstable) at his school and was sent to a special school where teachers became aggressive with him.

Despite his challenges, Rolle was able to find his outlet through performance.

“I like that I didn’t have to speak all of the time,” Rolle said. “You can tell how I’m feeling by the way I dance and express myself.”

His past makes it a point to interact more with the students of his present. For example, after every class, he passes out journals for students to write in about their time at the studio and any thoughts they have for teachers to get to know them better.

“I love how everyone at the studio is positive and supportive, and we all feel like family,” said student Hailey Ferguson, 17. “Dancing has helped me a lot. It helped me when I lost family members, broke up with my boyfriend and when I lost animals close to my heart. I just danced it all out.”

An after-school tutoring program is also planned for students to tackle their homework with the help of tutors.

Rolle’s resume is long. He has danced with the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Ailey II company and has taught master classes with Cirque. He’s also performed in the Broadway production of “The Lion King” and was a semi-finalist on the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Because of his connections with the industry, Rolle said students would have the opportunity to meet and work with guest performers. Past visitors include Anthony Burrell, a choreographer featured in the television show “Dance Moms,” Cirque dancer Justin S. M. Bryant, and dancer Kar Will, who appeared in the Starz television drama “Flesh and Bone.”

Because his priority is giving back to the local community, Rolle — also known as Mr. T to the kids — and his students often feed the homeless, participate in clothing drives and help in food banks. He also collaborates with local nonprofits such as the Shade Tree, Project 150 and The Embracing Project.

Rolle is also looking for volunteers to do accounting, clerical work, tutoring and event planning, as well as dance and performance teachers. He has spent $20,000 trying to achieve his dream and is also looking for financial backers to help.

Rolle said he wants to help connect students with professionals in the industry. His goal is to open a door to those who have been told “no” all their life.

“After a while, kids get so discouraged because the word ‘no’ is beat into them,” Rolle said. “They need someone to say ‘Yes, you’re beautiful,’ ‘Yes, that’s fierce,’ ‘Yes, keep going and do good in school.’ That’s what this studio is all about.”

Email rolleproject@gmail.com, call 702-240-3262 or 702-444-0773, or visit rolleproject.org.

To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.