-
Birth of Martha Graham
Martha was born in Allegheny, now known as Pittsburgh, on May 5th 1894. Her parents, George and Jane Beers Graham, had two other daughters as well. -
Denishawn School of Dancing and Its Related Arts
Martha decided to follow her own dreams, against her parents wishes, and enrolled in the Denishawn School of Dancing and Its Related Arts in 1916. The school was founded by Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn. Martha watched Ruth St. Denis perform at the Mason Opera House in Los Angeles, which inspired her to follow her dance dreams. She attended the school first as a student, then as a teacher. -
"Xochitl"
Graham starred in Ted Shawn's "Xochitl", an Aztec ballet. Shawn choreographed this production specifically to showcase Graham. This performance made Graham a Denishawn star. -
"Greenwich Village Follies"
Martha left the Denishawn School of Dancing and Related Arts to be a featured dancer in John Murray Anderson's "Greenwich Village Follies". It was a place in New York where dancers and performers came from around the world. Martha stayed there for two years. -
Eastman School of Music and Theater
After leaving the "Greenwich Village Follies", Martha taught at the Eastman School of Music and Theater in Rochester, New York, and the John Murray Anderson School in New York City. -
Martha Graham Dance Company
Martha decided to explore independently, and opened the Martha Graham Dance Company. At frist, her movement was very similar to the styles that she was taught, but as time went on her movment became more bold. Graham believed the physical expressions gave outlet to spiritual and emotional undercurrents that were ignored in other Western dance forms. -
"American Document"
From the start of the Martha Graham Company, dancers were all female, unitl 1938, when a ballet dancer by the name of Erick Hawkins, premiered in her prodction of "American Document". Martha and Hawkins eventually married, but the marriage did not last. From that point male dancers were part of the Martha Graham Dance Company. -
"Appalachian Spring"
Appalachian Spring was one of Marthas most well known productions. The production was centered around Greek legend with the dances rooted in Classical Greek dramas, stories, and myths. -
"Seraphic Dialogue"
Biblical themes and religious figures also inspired Martha, which brought about "Seraphic Dialogue". The masterpiece told the story of Joan of Arc. It was originally staged as a solo, but recreated into a group performance. All of her works utilized the principle of tension and relaxation, which Graham termed “contraction and release". -
Martha Retires
Martha announed her retirement as a dancer, but still continued to teach and create masterpieces for her company. -
Death
Martha Graham died in New York City, on April 1,1991. She left behind a legacy of inspiration for all artists. The Martha Graham Company is still touring today. Her techniques are still reffered to and taught today. Martha Graham was one of the big faces of Modern Dance.
