Martha Graham Dance Company

The Martha Graham Dance Company, founded by the influential American dancer and choreographer Martha Graham in 1926, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of one of the 20th century's most significant artistic forces. Recognized by TIME magazine as the "Dancer of the Century" and listed by People magazine among the female "Icons of the Century," Martha Graham's contributions to the world of dance are unparalleled. Her prolific career resulted in the creation of 181 ballets and a revolutionary dance technique that rivals ballet in its significance and breadth. Martha Graham's choreography, known for its emotional depth and physical vocabulary characterized by sharp, angular, and direct movements, has deeply influenced the global dance landscape. Her work is often likened to the Stanislavsky Art Theatre in Moscow and the Grand Kabuki Theatre of Japan because of its diversity and impact. The Martha Graham Dance Company and Graham 2, along with the Martha Graham School, continue to preserve and perpetuate her artistic legacy through performances and education. The company's origins trace back to a small studio in Carnegie Hall, where Graham developed her signature technique based on the elemental human movements of contraction and release. Her ballets drew inspiration from various sources, including modern painting, the American frontier, Native American religious ceremonies, and Greek mythology, often portraying historical and mythic women such as Clytemnestra, Jocasta, Medea, Phaedra, Joan of Arc, and Emily Dickinson. Throughout her 70 years of creating dances, Graham collaborated with numerous artists, including sculptor Isamu Noguchi, actor and director John Houseman, and fashion designers Halston, Donna Karan, and Calvin Klein. She also worked with composers like Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, and Gian Carlo Menotti. The company served as a training ground for future choreographers such as Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor, and Twyla Tharp, and welcomed classical ballet stars like Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev, and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Martha Graham's teaching extended beyond dancers to actors, imparting her knowledge on how to use the body as an expressive instrument to notable figures like Bette Davis, Kirk Douglas, and Gregory Peck. Her innovative and uniquely American vision earned her numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1976 and the National Medal of Arts in 1985. Today, the Martha Graham Dance Company continues to innovate by presenting Graham's masterpieces alongside new works by contemporary choreographers, ensuring the art form's evolution. The company's repertory for the 2022-23 season includes new works by Hofesh Shechter, Sonya Tayeh, and others, as well as Graham's iconic pieces such as "Appalachian Spring," "Lamentation," and "Chronicle." Having performed at prestigious venues like the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, and the Paris Opera House, the company has also graced international stages, from the Great Pyramids in Egypt to the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens. The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance holds the distinction of being the United States' longest continuously operating dance school, focused on the Graham technique and repertory, with faculty comprising current or former company members. For more information on the Martha Graham Dance Company and the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, interested individuals can visit the official website at marthagraham.edu.