Bessie Awards 2012 press conference (AUDIO)

New York Dance and Performance Awards (Bessies)

Lucy Sexton, Director

Lane Harwell, Chair, Bessies Steering Committee

2012 Press Conference at French Institute Alliance Française

Wednesday, July 18

To listen to an mp3 of the complete Bessies press conference, click here. [40:32]

Highlights

Opening performance by hip hop dancers Noel Rodriguez and Noah Cabrera from KR3TS, the company of 2011 Bessie winner Violet Galagarza

Juried Bessie Award to choreographer Souleymane Badolo by the 2012 jury--choreographers Lar Lubovitch, Yvonne Rainer and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. Badolo will be presented by Nazareth Dance Festival, an inaugural Bessies partner. In addition, a new Bessies partner, DanceForce, a statewide network of dance activists dedicated to linking artists and communities across New York State, will help to generate residencies, performances and educational events around the state for Badolo.

The Bessies will return to Harlem's historic Apollo Theater on Monday, October 15 at 8pm. "How could we not have the Bessies back at the Apollo?" asked Mikki Sheppard, the theater's Executive Producer. "We intend for them to be there forever!" Sheppard also announced that Bessie winner Badolo has already been engaged to present a major work at the Apollo in October 2013.

Click the audio link above to hear announcements of nominees for each of the following categories:

Outstanding Production (of a work performed in a larger capacity venue of more than 400 seats)

Outstanding Production (of a work that stretches the boundaries of a traditional or culturally specific form)

Outstanding Production (of a work performed in a smaller capacity venue of less than 400 seats)

Outstanding Production (of a work not technically considered dance but happening in and influencing dance in New York)

Outstanding Revived Work

Outstanding Visual Design

Outstanding Sound Design or Composition

Outstanding Emerging Choreographer

Outstanding Performer (of a work performed in a larger capacity venue of more than 400 seats)

Outstanding Performer (of a work that stretches the boundaries of a traditional or culturally specific form)

Outstanding Performer (of a work performed in a smaller capacity venue of less than 400 seats)

Outstanding Performer (of a work not technically considered dance but happening in and influencing dance in New York)

The Bessies: The New York Dance and Performance Awards,

produced in partnership with Dance/NYC

For further information, click here.