The Bessie Award is a prestigious annual dance award in the United States named after the choreographer Bessie Schönberg. The spelling of the word "Bessie" is pronounced /ˈbɛsi/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "e" sound, followed by a voiced "s" sound, and ending with an "ee" vowel sound. The Bessie Awards celebrate exceptional work in performance, choreography, and production in the contemporary dance world, and are highly respected by dancers and choreographers alike.
Bessie Award refers to an accolade bestowed upon outstanding individuals or groups in the field of dance and performance. Named after Bessie Schönberg, an American dancer, choreographer, and teacher, the Bessie Awards are recognized as one of the most prestigious honors in the dance community. The awards were established in 1984 to celebrate and acknowledge artistic excellence and innovation.
The Bessie Awards encompass a wide range of dance forms, including ballet, modern dance, contemporary dance, hip-hop, and various cultural and experimental dance genres. Recipients of the Bessie Awards are chosen based on their exceptional artistic vision, technical skill, creativity, and impact within their respective disciplines.
The award categories may vary each year but typically recognize outstanding performances, choreography, music composition, visual design, and production. Winners are selected by a diverse panel of dance professionals, critics, scholars, and artists who possess extensive knowledge and expertise in the field. The Bessie Awards ceremony is an annual event that brings together dancers, choreographers, producers, directors, and enthusiasts to celebrate and honor the achievements and contributions of those in the dance community.
Receiving a Bessie Award signifies a significant career milestone and provides recognition and visibility within the dance world. It serves as a testament to the recipient's dedication, talent, and contribution to the advancement of dance as an art form. As a highly regarded accolade, the Bessie Award holds great value in the dance community and continues to promote excellence and innovation in the field of dance and performance.
The "Bessie Award" gets its name from Bessie Schönberg, an influential figure in the world of modern dance and choreography. The award was established in 1984 by David White, founder and director of the Dance Theater Workshop (now called New York Live Arts). Bessie Schönberg was a founding faculty member of the dance program at Bennington College and had a significant impact on the development of modern dance in the United States. The award was named after her to honor her contributions to the field and to recognize excellence in the dance community.