Show&Tell: Mary LaCroix of Nevada Ballet Theatre

Q: How long have you been dancing?

A: I've been dancing since I was 3. I think I had a lot of energy, and my parents wanted me to do something other than destroy the house.

Q: Was there a specific moment when you knew you loved it?

A: There is, actually. When I was 6, I saw "The Nutcracker." It was a little local production, and that's when I knew. Like, it hit me: This is what I want to do with my life. This is what I love.

Q: So many dancers study ballet but then move into other forms of dance. You've studied other forms of dance but you've stuck with ballet. Why?

A: A lot people think this is really crazy, but I really love pointe shoes (laughs). I think that might have attracted me as a kid. I love pointe shoes and I love to dance in them. So, as much fun as jazz was, I wanted to be in pointe shoes.

Q: What did your parents think about your wanting to be a ballet dancer?

A: They were always pushing me into other things, like, "Doctors are really great," and "You could be a writer."

Q: You're in your fourth season with Nevada Ballet Theatre (after having danced with Ballet Austin and Nashville Ballet)?

A: This is my fourth season. I love it here. As a dancer, I absolutely love the theater (at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts), and the company is incredible. We do a lot of really awesome stuff. ... And I got married (on June 16).

Q: Congratulations! Who's your husband?

A: Barrington Lohr. He dances with the company.

Q: Is that how you met?

A: That's actually how we became close. We got to know each other. We started working together. So Las Vegas has been really good!

Q: You're wearing a costume from the "Rubies" segment of Nevada Ballet's production of George Balanchine's "Jewels" (which NBT will perform Oct. 13 and 14 at The Smith Center). What's it about?

A: "Rubies," I would say, is feisty and fun. There are three jewels - emeralds, rubies and diamonds - and ruby is, like, the fiery one of the whole ballet.

Q: Have your parents become OK with your career choice by now?

A: Well, they're still kind of talking about a Plan B (laughs). Like, at my wedding, "You could be a doctor."