Martha Graham’s revolutionary vision and artistic mastery has had a deep and lasting impact on American art and culture. Her bold use of socially infused subjects and emotionally charged performances single-handedly defined contemporary dance as a uniquely American art form, which the nation has in turn shared with the world.

 

Graham's creativity crossed artistic boundaries and embraced every artistic genre. She collaborated with and commissioned works from the leading visual artists, musicians, and designers of her day, including sculptor Isamu Noguchi and fashion designers Halston, Donna Karan, and Calvin Klein, as well as composers Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, William Schuman, Norman Dello Joio, and Gian Carlo Menotti.

 

 

Ekstasis
Choreographer: Martha Graham
Reimagined: Virginie Mécène
Costume Designer: Martha Graham
Original Music: Lehman Engel
Music for reimagined Ekstasis: Ramon Humet
Lighting Designer: Nick Hung

 

Ekstasis is thought to be the 37^th creation by Graham. In a 1980 interview, Graham explained that the genesis of this dance came from a pelvic thrust gesture that she discovered one day. This led her to explore “a cycle of distortion” that she found deeply meaningful. “Before Ekstasis, I had been using a more static form, trying to find a ritualist working of the body,” she concluded. Virginie Mécène reimagined this version of Ekstasis based on the sparse documentation of this original solo, which included a few photos by Soichi Sunami and Barbara Morgan.

 

 

Dark Meadow Suite
Choreographer and Costume Designer: Martha Graham
Arr.: Janet Eilber
Music: Carlos Chávez
Lighting Designer: Nick Hung

 

Dark Meadow Suite is made up of highlights from a much longer work by Martha Graham, Dark Meadow, which was premiered on January 23rd, 1946, Plymouth Theatre, New York City. The Suite, created in 2016, is designed to feature the exceptional choreography that Graham created for the ensemble of dancers in Dark Meadow. Both the unison dancing and the partnering have been recognized as some of Graham's most architectural, ritualistic and profound creations. They are clearly inspired by Graham’s love of the rituals of the natives of both the American Southwest and Mexico, which she observed as a young woman. The Mexican composer Carlos Chavez wrote the spacious musical score for Graham. The dancers often work in counterpoint to the score using the sound of their feet and other body percussion effects. In her original programme note, Graham wrote, “Dark Meadow is a re-enactment of the mysteries which attend the eternal adventure of seeking.” It is an abstract work about life’s journey and the search for connection with one's self and one's community. This dance is a prime example of Graham as a leader in mid-20th century modernism.

 

 

Errand into the Maze
Choreographer: Martha Graham
Music: Gian Carlo Menotti
Lighting Designer: Lauren Libretti
Costumes Designer: Maria Garcia

 

Errand into the Maze was premiered in 1947 with a score by Gian Carlo Menotti, set design by Isamu Noguchi and starring Martha Graham. The duet is loosely derived from the myth of Theseus, who journeys into the labyrinth to confront the Minotaur, a creature who is half man and half beast. Martha Graham retells the tale from the perspective of Ariadne, who descends into the labyrinth to conquer the Minotaur. The current production of Errand into the Maze was created in reaction to the damage done to the sets and costumes by Hurricane Sandy. This version, stripped of the classic production elements, is meant to intensify our focus on the dramatic, physical journey of the choreography itself.

 

 

Lamentation Variations
Choreographers: Bulareyaung Pagarlava, Aszure Barton, Larry Keigwin
Music: Gustav Mahler, George Crumb, Frédéric Chopin
Lighting Designer: Beverly Emmons

 

Lamentation Variations is an event that was conceived in 2007 to commemorate the anniversary of 9/11. The work is based on a film from the early 1940s of Martha Graham dancing movements from her then new, and now iconic, solo, Lamentation. Each choreographer was asked to create a spontaneous choreographic sketch of their reaction to the Graham film, and was required to adhere to the following conditions: 10 hours of rehearsal, public domain music or silence, basic costumes and lighting design. Though it was planned to be performed on only one occasion, the audience reception for the Lamentation Variations was such that it has been added to the permanent repertory of the Martha Graham Dance Company.

 

 

Woodland
Choreographer: Pontus Lidberg
Music: Irving Fine
Costumes Designers: Reid Bartelme, Harriet Jung
Mask Patterns Designer: Wintercroft Designs
Lighting Designer: Nick Hung

 

Using Irving Fine's music as my point of departure, rather than using a concept, I heard structure as well as possible imagery: woodland, moonlight and wandering creatures. I wanted to interact with the music, not just impose choreography on it, so I chose to reorder the movements and add a repeat, turning a linear work into one that is almost cyclical—a structure that I've explored continuously in my compositions. I also often take inspiration and impetus from the dancers, and the Graham dancers have been a generous and inspiring group of collaborators. Woodland was developed in collaboration with these dancers. In the end, as in many of my works, the individual is a counterpoint to the group—somewhat isolated and looking for the means to connect with others, all the while remaining separated on a singular trajectory.

 

 

The Martha Graham Dance Company has been a leader in the development of contemporary dance since its founding in 1926. Informed by the expansive vision of pioneering choreographer Martha Graham, the Company brings to life a timeless and uniquely American style of dance that has influenced generations of artists and continues to captivate audiences.

 

Graham and her Company have expanded the contemporary dance vocabulary of movement and forever altered the scope of the art form by rooting works in contemporary social, political, psychological, and sexual contexts, deepening their impact and resonance.