Footprints of 'Folies' choreographer can be seen on stages throughout the region

"Folies," a cabaret-style show at the Carson City Nugget Show Lounge, has wowed audiences since it opened in January.

Featuring six dancers, "Folies," a show with a Parisian flair, is directed and choreographed by Britney Irwin, who at 29, has made a name for herself not only in Nevada, but worldwide.

Trained from an early age in dance, Irwin began working professionally at 14, and has traveled the world dancing and performing.

"In 2002 I started working overseas in a magic show and have worked fulltime across the country ever since," Irwin said. "Originally, I wanted to be a trapeze artist ... or go to college to be an animal behaviorist."

But life had other plans and today, she's involved in every major show in the Reno and Lake Tahoe area.

On a whim and with years of dance already behind her, Irwin sent out her resume and had several offers for work within two weeks. This led to career credits that include assistant choreographer for Greg London's ICONMAN, choreographer for the Sapphire Sirens Adult Review at Harrah's Reno and choreographer for a show at Vex Nightclub at Harrah's Lake Tahoe, all shows that are presently running.

Irwin is managing all but ICONMAN, and performs in all the productions.

When Irwin was asked about dancing at the Nugget, she didn't know what to expect.

"I was thinking it would be country or rock 'n' roll-based, but when I met Catherine (Oaks, former marketing director for the Nugget), her vision was for a classy, high-end show," Irwin said.

"All the music came to me within a week and we started packing in four to six hours of rehearsal each day."

When not in rehearsal, Irwin continued to build and refine the choreography that she would then introduce to the other dancers, with whom Irwin has a long history.

"Creatively it's been very rewarding and these girls and I have worked together five and six years, which makes (the process) easy, very symbiotic," Irwin said.

In addition to all being professional dancers, Irwin said they are also aerialists, a skill they incorporate into their Vex performances.

At the Nugget, the Show Lounge venue presented a few technical challenges, but they were addressed to accommodate the show.

"We've had a full house for every performance and the audiences have been very appreciative, polite and wonderful," Irwin said. "When you come, be prepared to dance."

Folies is presented free of charge the first, third and fourth Monday and second Saturday of each month.

Show times are 6:30 and 8:15 p.m. For more information, visit ccnugget.com or call 775-882-1626.