Bartlesville Stars Showcase Dancing Ability To Support Autism School Fundraiser

Sixteen dancers are competing Saturday night in Bartlesville for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.

It is not the TV show "Dancing with the Stars," but it promises to be even more entertaining.

Dancing with the Bartlesville Stars is in its 9th season. The eight pairs competing have been practicing their routines since August. Robert Reeves and Courtney Roberts said they knew of each other but had never met until being partnered up.

"Courtney has brought me out of my shell," said Reeves. "When we started out, I was pretty nervous and did not know what to expect."

He is an HR professional at ConocoPhillips with no prior dance experience, so remembering the choreography has been a huge learning curve.

"I think a lot of folks take it for granted that dance is just a fun thing, but there is a lot of technique, and it is a good workout," said Ryan.

Luckily, his partner is somewhat of a professional. Roberts is a branch broker with McGraw Realtors but has danced most of her life.

"I grew up dancing," she said. "I have been in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip-hop, all the things since I was two years old."

Roberts has attended Dancing with the Bartlesville Stars nearly every year since its inception, but this is the first time she will get to take the stage. 

Her husband competed in 2019, and Roberts admits that this has led to some trash talk in the house.

"That has been my number one thing was just to beat him, at least in his donations," she continued saying, "He did also get the People's Choice Award the year that he did it, so Robert and I have to win the Mirrorball Trophy to ultimately beat him."

To achieve that, their routine has several wow factors.

"We do have a couple of lifts and a flip," said Roberts. "We have got some good moves; it is just very entertaining."

"The flips have always been fun and getting Courtney from point A to point B without dropping her, so hold me to that on Saturday," Reeves added.

The event is a fundraiser for Paths to Independence, a private school for students with autism.

"I just really believe in what the school does for families, not only in our community but in Northeast Oklahoma," said Reeves.

All the fundraising is driven by the dancers through ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations. Every dollar raised is a vote and makes up 50% of the calculation to name a winning team.

"For me, it is making sure that these individuals have the same opportunity as you and me to live happy and healthy," said Reeves.

Dancing with the Bartlesville Stars is on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Bartlesville Community Center.

To get tickets or vote for a team CLICK HERE