NOMINEES FOR THE 2018 BESSIE AWARDS AND AWARDEES OF THE 2018 ANNUAL JURIED BESSIE AWARD AND 2018 OUTSTANDING “BREAKOUT” CHOREOGRAPHER ANNOUNCED TODAY
In addition to The Bessie nominees, winners of the 2018 Juried Bessie Award and the Outstanding “Breakout” Choreographer Award were announced at the July 11 event. Kyle Marshall was honored with the 2018 Juried Bessie Award, which was presented to him by the 2018 Bessies Jury: Robert Battle, Stephen Petronio and Ana “Rokafella” Garcia, with a citation that read: “For exploring important ideas around race and sexuality in dances that embody rather than illustrate complicated issues. For drawing on a variety of movement styles to create accomplished, witty, and immensely engaging choreography.” The Juried Award provides touring and residency opportunities outside of New York City through partnerships including the New York State DanceForce, a statewide network of arts organizations and presenters, The Emelin Theater, and other organizations.
Mariana Valencia received the 2018 Outstanding “Breakout” Choreographer Award, formerly called Outstanding Emerging Choreographer Award. Her citation read: “For seamlessly blending ethnography, memoir, and observation of cross-cultural identities in choreography that engages from start to finish. For a unique vision that uses humor and sadness, reality and imagination to push dance and performance into new territory.” The other "Breakout" nominees were Hadar Ahuvia, Lauren Lovette and Kyle Marshall.
The Bessies were established by David R. White in 1984 at Dance Theater Workshop to recognize outstanding work in choreography, performance, music composition and visual design. Nominees are chosen by a Selection Committee comprised of artists, presenters, producers, and writers, which this year is comprised of Adrienne Westwood, Alexis Convento, Ali Rosa Salas, Andrea Snyder, Angela Fatou Gittens, Boo Froebel, Brinda Guha, Carrie Stern, Catherine Tharin, Celia Ipiotis, Craig Peterson, Diana Byer, Diane Grumet, Doug Post, Eleanor K. Wallace, Elise Bernhardt, George Emílio Sanchez, Harold Norris, Iréne Hultman, Joseph Hall, Kay Takeda, Koosil-ja, Leah Cox, Lydia Mokdessi, Martin Wechsler, Matthew Lopez, Matthew Lyons, Maura Donohue, Muna Tseng, Parijat Desai, Rajika Puri, Risa Steinberg, Ronald Alexander, Sally Sommer, Susan Reiter, Tymberly Canale, Walter Rutledge, and William Whitener.
Responsible for setting policy and providing ongoing oversight, the 2018 Bessie Awards Steering Committee is comprised of Cora Cahan, Beverly D’Anne, Lane Harwell, Jeanne Linnes, Stanford Makishi, Nicky Paraiso, Carla Peterson, Paz Tanjuaquio, Laurie Uprichard, and Sylvia Waters.
The 34th Bessie Awards take place October 8 at 7:30pm at NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.
READ THE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
In addition to The Bessie nominees, winners of the 2018 Juried Bessie Award and the Outstanding “Breakout” Choreographer Award were announced at the July 11 event. Kyle Marshall was honored with the 2018 Juried Bessie Award, which was presented to him by the 2018 Bessies Jury: Robert Battle, Stephen Petronio and Ana “Rokafella” Garcia, with a citation that read: “For exploring important ideas around race and sexuality in dances that embody rather than illustrate complicated issues. For drawing on a variety of movement styles to create accomplished, witty, and immensely engaging choreography.” The Juried Award provides touring and residency opportunities outside of New York City through partnerships including the New York State DanceForce, a statewide network of arts organizations and presenters, The Emelin Theater, and other organizations.
Mariana Valencia received the 2018 Outstanding “Breakout” Choreographer Award, formerly called Outstanding Emerging Choreographer Award. Her citation read: “For seamlessly blending ethnography, memoir, and observation of cross-cultural identities in choreography that engages from start to finish. For a unique vision that uses humor and sadness, reality and imagination to push dance and performance into new territory.” The other "Breakout" nominees were Hadar Ahuvia, Lauren Lovette and Kyle Marshall.
The Bessies were established by David R. White in 1984 at Dance Theater Workshop to recognize outstanding work in choreography, performance, music composition and visual design. Nominees are chosen by a Selection Committee comprised of artists, presenters, producers, and writers, which this year is comprised of Adrienne Westwood, Alexis Convento, Ali Rosa Salas, Andrea Snyder, Angela Fatou Gittens, Boo Froebel, Brinda Guha, Carrie Stern, Catherine Tharin, Celia Ipiotis, Craig Peterson, Diana Byer, Diane Grumet, Doug Post, Eleanor K. Wallace, Elise Bernhardt, George Emílio Sanchez, Harold Norris, Iréne Hultman, Joseph Hall, Kay Takeda, Koosil-ja, Leah Cox, Lydia Mokdessi, Martin Wechsler, Matthew Lopez, Matthew Lyons, Maura Donohue, Muna Tseng, Parijat Desai, Rajika Puri, Risa Steinberg, Ronald Alexander, Sally Sommer, Susan Reiter, Tymberly Canale, Walter Rutledge, and William Whitener.
Responsible for setting policy and providing ongoing oversight, the 2018 Bessie Awards Steering Committee is comprised of Cora Cahan, Beverly D’Anne, Lane Harwell, Jeanne Linnes, Stanford Makishi, Nicky Paraiso, Carla Peterson, Paz Tanjuaquio, Laurie Uprichard, and Sylvia Waters.
The 34th Bessie Awards take place October 8 at 7:30pm at NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.
READ THE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
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