New York Dance and Performance Awards, The Bessies

New York’s most renowned dance awards return to Harlem’s world famous Apollo Theater!

Established in 1983 by David White at Dance Theater Workshop, the New York Dance and Performance Awards or Bessie Awards–in honor of the treasured dancer and teacher Bessie Schonberg–acknowledge outstanding creative work by independent artists in the fields of dance and related performance in New York City. They honor exceptional choreography, performance, music composition, visual design and others areas of dance and performance. The award recipients are chosen by The Bessie Selection Committee, which consists of artists, dance presenters, producers, journalists, critics and academics.