Art for art’s sake is great, but money talks. This weekend, On the Boards teams with New York City’s Joyce Theater to present the first-ever Seattle A.W.A.R.D. Show —a four-night dance competition (Dec 10-13) that originated at the Joyce and will leave one lucky Northwest choreographer $10,000 richer.

How it works: For three nights, four different choreographers will present 15 minute pieces or works-in-progress. Audience members will watch the dances, attend a moderated Q&A with the artists after the show, then vote for first, second, and third place. The performances will be judged based on their emotional and intellectual expression, and their ability to engage with the audience. To close out each night, On the Boards will host an after-party—more time to chat—and post the results around midnight.

On Sunday, the audience will watch the first-round winners and pick a favorite. To avoid any kind of ballot-stuffing, the audience gets one vote and the rest will be cast by judges from Seattle and New York: Spectrum artistic director Donald Byrd, 33 Fainting Spells co-founder Dayna Hanson, Velocity Dance’s Kara O’Toole, and Linda Shelton, executive director of Joyce Theater.

There probably won’t be a gigantic Ed McMahon check handed out, although “we all kind of really, really want one,” says Jessica Massart, OTB’s director of communication. There will be plenty of friendly competition. (Minus the public humiliation—this isn’t So You Think You Can Dance.)

It’s a tough contest to handicap—there are brainy troupes, sexy troupes, and subtle solo artists, plus two Portland visitors. If Amy O’Neal were on the bill, I’d put my money there (but she was touring and didn’t apply). But now, it’s anyone’s game.

The line-up follows. Tickets are $10-$15.

Thu, Dec 10
Coriolis Dance Collective (Hannah Lagerway)
LAUNCH Dance Theater (Ricki Mason)
Whim W’Him (Olivier Wevers)
Deborah Wolf

Fri, Dec 11
Catherine Cabeen
Shannon Mockli
SD Prism Dance Theatre (Sonia Dawkins)
Scott/Powell Performance

Sat, Dec 12
DASSdance (Daniel Wilkins)
Lauren Edson
Lingo Dance Theater (KT Niehoff)
Amelia Reeber

Sun, Dec 13
THE FINALS