Betsy.

'Betsy' is an intercultural music play marking 10 years of partnership with the Appalachian artists of Roadside Theater (www.roadside.org). The story involves a Bronx born and bred Puerto Rican jazz singer who stirs up the little known history of her Scot-Irish ancestry. The production's musical team includes Nashville jazz legend Beegie Adair, Old Time master Ron Short, and Puerto Rican composer/pianist Desmar Guevara. Directors Dudley Cocke and Rosalba Rolón also share writing credits. 'Betsy' was previewed at the New Pregones Theater in May 2006. Here documented is the performance filmed by Bronxnet as a part of its '¡Bronxlive!' series. Founded in 1979 and based in The Bronx, New York City, Pregones Theater (http://www.pregones.org) has performed in more than 400 cities and 13 countries. The company enjoys citywide recognition for their lasting contributions to the performing arts field and are recipients of numerous distinctions including current Leading National Ensemble Theatre Designation from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Primary Cultural Institution Designation from the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York State Governor's Arts Award, the Culture & Humanities Award from the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, numerous artist and production awards, as well as invitations to appear at international festivals and events. Over the years Pregones has developed a style that combines theater, music and movement, oral and written traditions, and a signature urban sensibility. The ensemble draws from popular Puerto Rican artistic expressions and literature to create and stage its work. Today, Pregones has grown to be one of the leading Puerto Rican/Latino theater theaters in the United States. From migrations to indigenous mythologies to subway stories, the company's repertoire covers a growing sample of Latino experiences and identities. Hemispheric Institute of Performance and Politics