Capezio Ballet Makers Inc.
IndustryManufacturing
Founded1887
FounderSalvatore Capezio
Key people
Michael Terlizzi (CEO)
ProductsDance shoes and apparel
Websitewww.capezio.com

Capezio is the trade name of Capezio Ballet Makers Inc., an American manufacturer of dance shoes, apparel and accessories.

History

In 1887, Salvatore Capezio, an Italian cobbler emigrated to the United States, opened a shoe repair shop near the old Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.[1] He began his business by repairing theatrical shoes for the Met, and transitioned from cobbler to shoemaker when he created a fine pair of shoes for Polish tenor Jean de Reszke in an emergency. His shop soon became a meeting place for dancers who would stop by to discuss their needs and purchase his shoes.

Over time, his reputation grew and visiting dancers would often come to his shop to purchase shoes. One of those visitors, Anna Pavlova, purchased Capezio pointe shoes for herself and her entire company during her first tour of the United States in 1910, thereby helping Capezio establish wide public visibility.[1]

From 1940, Ben Sommers was president of the company until his death in 1985. He used his position to promote and support dance and performance art, establishing events such as National Dance Week in 1978 and in 1957, the Capezio Dance Award.[2] Under Sommers's tenure, in 1941, Lord & Taylor, Neiman-Marcus, and other stores began to market and distribute Capezio footwear.

Salvatore Capezio's family eventually joined him in the business, and today the company is operated by third- and fourth-generation family members. The company now employs modern, computerized manufacturing systems, though its Special Make-up Department continues to hand craft special order footwear

In 2017, Lynn Shanahan became the first non-family CEO of Capezio.[3]

Notable users

Numerous celebrities endorsed the company's products over the years, such as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Sammy Davis, Jr., Alicia Alonso, Bob Fosse, Gregory Hines, Mick Jagger, Liza Minnelli, Ben Vereen, David Lee Roth, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga[4] and Maddie Ziegler.[5]

Capezio Dance Award

The company established the "Capezio Dance Award" in 1952 to recognize significant achievements in dance, and in 1953 it created the Capezio Foundation to administer the awards program and operate a grant program for non-profit organizations.[1][6][7]

Award recipients[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c "History". Capezio. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  2. ^ "Ben Sommers Is Dead At 78; Head Of Capezio Foundation". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  3. ^ "Global Dance Brand Capezio® Taps Lynn Shanahan as Chief Executive Officer".
  4. ^ "Capezio: Serving dancers for over 125 years". Danceinforma. 2013-05-02. Retrieved 26 August 2013.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ Brooke, Eliza. "Maddie Ziegler Takes Her Rightful Place as Capezio's Brand Ambassador", Fashionista.com, May 21, 2015
  6. ^ "Dance Foundation". Capezio. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  7. ^ Depalma, Rachelle (1983-08-21). "'Capezio' Is More Than Just a Slipper". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  8. ^ "Awardees". Capezio. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  9. ^ Martin, John (1952-01-20). "THE DANCE: AWARD; Committee Selects Solov For Capezio Honor". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  10. ^ "SOLOV WINS DANCE HONOR; ' Met's' Ballet Master Is First to Receive $500 Capezio Award". The New York Times. 1952-01-16. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  11. ^ "Kirstein Is Chosen for Capezio Award". The New York Times. 1953-01-05. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  12. ^ Martin, John (1954-03-07). "THE DANCE: AWARD; Doris Humphrey Chosen For Capezio Honor". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  13. ^ Martin, John (1955-03-13). "THE DANCE: AWARD; Louis Horst Is Winner Of Capezio Honor". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  14. ^ Martin, John (1956-03-11). "THE DANCE: FIFTH CAPEZIO AWARD; Genevieve Oswald Wins Citation for Curatorship Of Library Collection". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  15. ^ "TED SHAWN WINS PRIZE FOR DANCE; Director of Jacob's Pillow Festival Will Receive $500 Annual Capezio Award". The New York Times. 1957-03-13. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  16. ^ "Greer Garson to Present Prize". The New York Times. 1958-02-05. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  17. ^ "Hurok Wins Capezio Dance Award". The New York Times. 1958-11-06. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  18. ^ "Martha Graham Wins Capezio Dance Award". The New York Times. 1959-12-01. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  19. ^ Martin, John (1961-01-01). "THE DANCE: AWARD; 'Miss Ruth' Is Named For Capezio Annual". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  20. ^ "Capezio Award Given To Costume Designer". The New York Times. 1961-12-21. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  21. ^ "Barbara Karinska Wins Dance Award". The New York Times. 1962-06-22. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  22. ^ Martin, John (1961-12-31). "DANCE: AWARD TO KARINSKA; Designer and Executant of Costumes for the Ballet Is Selected for the Annual Capezio Prize". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  23. ^ Allen, Zita (2018-04-26). "Donald McKayle, American dance icon, passes". amsterdamnews.com. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  24. ^ "'64 Capezio Award Presented to Limon". The New York Times. 1964-03-12. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  25. ^ "Maria Tallchief Is Awarded $1,000 Capezio Dance Prize". The New York Times. 1964-11-23. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  26. ^ Kennedy, James (1993-10-09). "Stepping out on Broadway Obituary: Agnes de Mille". The Guardian – via ProQuest International Newsstream.
  27. ^ Anderson, Jack (1986-01-10). "Lucia Chase of Ballet Theater Is Dead". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  28. ^ "John Martin Is Winner Of Capezio Dance Award". The New York Times. 1969-03-26. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  29. ^ "3 Get Ethnic Dance Award". The New York Times. 1972-04-20. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  30. ^ "Briefs on the Arts". The New York Times. 1974-01-29. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  31. ^ Walker, Gerald (1975-01-19). "Ballet Conductor Is Part Maestro, Part Traffic Cop". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  32. ^ "Capezio Dance A ward Presented to Robbins". The New York Times. 1976-04-27. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  33. ^ Segal, Lewis (2009-07-28). "Merce Cunningham dies at 90; revolutionary choreographer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  34. ^ Gitelman, Claudia (2000). "Finding a Place for Hanya Holm". Dance Chronicle. 23 (1): 49–71. doi:10.1080/01472520008569371. ISSN 0147-2526. JSTOR 1568013. S2CID 194038177.
  35. ^ LaPointe-Crump, Janice (2011). "Encyclopedia of American Studies". Encyclopedia of American Studies. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  36. ^ Kisselgoff, Anna (1982-10-06). "Walter Terry, a Dance Critic, Author and Lecturer, Is Dead". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  37. ^ "Dorothy Alexander to Get '81 Capezio Dance Award". The New York Times. 1981-03-12. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  38. ^ Krebs, Albin; Thomas, Robert McG. Jr. (1981-05-13). "NOTES ON PEOPLE; Founder of Atlanta Ballet Wins Award". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  39. ^ "Nikolais Wins Capezio Prize for Creativity". The New York Times. 1982-02-02. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  40. ^ "3 Christensen Brothers To Get Award". The New York Times. 1984-04-16. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  41. ^ Dunning, Jennifer (1986-04-28). "Antony Tudor Receives Fresh Accolades at 77". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  42. ^ "Astaire, Nureyev, Fosse And Venza Get Award". The New York Times. 1987-02-26. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  43. ^ "Honi Coles to Receive Capezio Dance Award". The New York Times. 1988-03-28. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  44. ^ Dunning, Jennifer (1989-05-01). "Sandlot to the Ballet Stage: Edward Villella Is Honored". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  45. ^ "Capezio Dance Awards To Be Given on Monday". The New York Times. 1991-05-04. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  46. ^ "Capezio Dance Award". The New York Times. 1992-05-19. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  47. ^ "Dance/USA Wins Award". The New York Times. 1993-05-04. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  48. ^ Nifong, Christina (1995-05-04). "Bruce Marks is recognized for his embrace of inner-city youth". Christian Science Monitor. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  49. ^ "10,000 Prize for Dance Festival Leader". The New York Times. 1996-07-16. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  50. ^ "Mark Morris Dance Center Celebrates 10 Years As Integral Part of Fort Greene, BAM District". Brooklyn Eagle. 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  51. ^ Dunning, Jennifer (1998-08-11). "Dance Award Goes to Jacob's Pillow". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  52. ^ "Bella Lewitzky, 88; Innovative Dancer and Choreographer". Los Angeles Times. 2004-07-17. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  53. ^ Anderson, Jack (2004-07-19). "Bella Lewitzky, 88, Dancer Who Pushed for Artistic Freedom". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  54. ^ Jowitt, Deborah (2000-04-16). "DANCE; Building a Home For a Fragile, Fiery Community". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  55. ^ "Capezio Group Gives Dance Award". The New York Times. 2002-10-16. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  56. ^ Cassity, Jessica (September 2004). "Savion Supreme". Dance Spirit. 8 (7): 45 – via EBSCOhost.
  57. ^ a b "Eppes Professor Suzanne Farrell wins 54th Annual Capezio Dance Award". www.fsu.edu. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  58. ^ "Honors List". Dance Teacher. 28 (5): 32–36. May 2006 – via EBSCOhost.
  59. ^ Garofoli, Wendy (April 2006). "Capezio Bestows Award, Receives Celeb Exposure". Dance Retailer News. 5 (4): 10 – via EBSCOhost.
  60. ^ Sagolla, Lisa Jo (2007-10-02). "Carmen de Lavallade Wins Capezio Award". www.backstage.com. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  61. ^ "Capezio is wild about 'Chuck'". Brooklyn Paper. 2008-05-25. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  62. ^ BWW News Desk. "Arlene Shuler to Receive Capezio Award 9/22 At New York City Center". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  63. ^ "Career Transition for Dancers 25th Silver Anniversary". blacktiemagazine.com. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  64. ^ Callaghan, Edward (2010-11-11). "ROLEX Presents Career Transitions For Dancers 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee | Out And About | For The Cause". www.hamptons.com. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  65. ^ Kourlas, Gia (2011-05-26). "Complexions Contemporary Ballet at Joyce Theater - Review". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  66. ^ "Tommy Tune to receive Capezio Dance Award - Dance Informa USA". danceinforma.us. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  67. ^ Purcell, Carey (2013-12-04). "Tony Winner Twyla Tharp Honored With Capezio Dance Award". Playbill. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  68. ^ BWW News Desk. "Cynthia Gregory to Receive 63rd Annual Capezio Dance Award". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  69. ^ "64th Capezio Dance Award goes to Juilliard - Dance Informa USA". danceinforma.us. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
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