Meet Annelise Eastes | Stage Manager & Professional Dancer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Annelise Eastes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annelise, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
Although persistence is admirable and essential in achieving any significant goal, there’s a thin line between determination and insanity. You’ll know when you’re reaching the end of your rope when you stop caring about things you used to be passionate about. At that point, I believe it’s best to set a specific limit for yourself. For example, you might say you’re going to go to five more interviews or you’ll work to increase sales for six more months before you move on. Life has an interesting way of redirecting us when we need it, but if you still feel that passion for what you’re doing, you should keep going.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When I first moved to Las Vegas, I had no idea what set me apart from other dancers. Most of my background was in ballet, but I started into entertainment work because the concert dance world was one I never really fit into. I worked in a wide range of dance styles until I eventually felt a pull back to my roots in ballet. I started combining ballet with other genres and ended up creating my own niche that I called burlesque ballet. This led to many amazing performance opportunities, most notably performing as a burlesque ballet soloist at an international burlesque festival in Barcelona. Even after I found my niche, my journey was not easy. I received more no’s than I can count and there were many times I thought my hard work would never be recognized. The pandemic also hit the entertainment industry hard. The residency that I was dancing for shut down permanently, but I pushed myself to create virtual collaborative projects while also juggling a day job. I worked with all kinds of artists including photographers, videographers, painters, writers, designers, and more. I sought out art patrons who funded these projects and helped me produce my first virtual show alongside other Vegas performers.
When live entertainment started coming back, I was sure that my efforts to keep dance alive during the pandemic would set me apart in auditions, but for a while, it didn’t. When I got discouraged, I relied on the belief that no one could work as hard as I did and not eventually be successful. Right when I felt I was at the end of my rope, I was offered not one, but two dream jobs. I currently work with two show residencies as a stage manager for Extravaganza and a dancer with A Touch of Burlesque. Looking back on my journey, what makes me most proud is that I created my own opportunities instead of waiting for someone else to provide them for me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There is so much to do in Las Vegas! For upscale dining, Picasso at the Bellagio is an incredible experience. For more casual dining, I like Black Tap and Hexx Kitchen & Bar. There’s a fun speakeasy called The Laundry Room where you can order custom drinks based on your sensory preferences. Fremont Street is a place I always take visitors to as well because the ambience is unique to Las Vegas. For someone who enjoys the outdoors, Red Rock Canyon is beautiful and easy to get to. Of course, Las Vegas is well known for its nightlife. My favorite smaller clubs are the Foundation Room and On The Record, and my favorite big clubs are Marquee and XS. During the summer, Encore Beach Club throws great pool parties. I’m a little biased when it comes to shows, but I love bringing people to see Extravaganza and A Touch of Burlesque!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve had several mentors throughout my career, but through it all, my most consistent supporter has been my mom. From driving me to countless classes, to proof reading grant proposals, to spending hours creating costumes to make me feel beautiful, she has encouraged me through all the ups and downs. I wouldn’t be living my dream right now if it wasn’t for her.

Website: https://www.anneliseeastes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annelise_eastes/

Image Credits
Graffiti photo – Ben Mayben. Trench coat photo – Travis Herriford. Concrete photo – T77 Photography. Sunset photos – Marie Southavilay