Novel York – The Martha Graham Dance Company is marking its centennial year with an international tour, celebrating a century of innovation and a legacy built on the principle that “movement never lies.” Founded in 1926, the company, born from the vision of dancer and choreographer Martha Graham, continues to challenge conventional notions of dance, prioritizing authentic human expression over traditional aesthetics.
Graham, a pivotal figure in the development of modern dance, sought to break away from the prevalent balletic styles of her time. “Decorative, escapist, imaginary princesses and swans and flowers,” Janet Eilber, a former company member and its current artistic director, described the prevailing dance landscape. “And she wanted to dance about real human beings, real human challenges.” This desire to portray the complexities of the human condition became a defining characteristic of Graham’s work.
Born in 1894, Graham’s early life experiences profoundly shaped her artistic perspective. Growing up in Pennsylvania coal country, a landscape she described as “completely bleak” in her autobiography, instilled in her a sensitivity to hardship and resilience. A later move to California at age 14 brought a contrasting sense of “light and freedom,” a duality that Eilber notes consistently surfaced in Graham’s choreography. “The dark against light. The oppression against freedom. It’s a theme that recurs over and over again,” she explained.
Graham’s approach to dance was deeply rooted in observation and a commitment to truth. Her father, a practitioner of early psychiatry, instilled in her the importance of seeking authenticity. “I was looking in a microscope when I was four so that I could share the difference between water that had wriggles in it and the water that was pure,” Graham recalled in a 1974 interview with NPR affiliate WFUV. “And he taught me two laws which have proved invaluable to me. One was, ‘You must look for the truth,’ and the other is ‘Movement never lies.’”
This philosophy translated into a groundbreaking technique characterized by the “contraction and release” principle. Eilber explained that Graham identified the connection between emotion and the body’s core, observing how breath and torso movement reflected inner states. “She realized that our emotions ride on the breath when we sob or when we laugh, it comes from an impulse in the center of the torso,” Eilber said. “From that idea, she developed her famous contraction and release.” The technique, physically demanding and distinct from classical ballet, involved bare feet and sinuous, earthy gestures.
Graham’s 1930 solo piece, Lamentation, exemplified her willingness to challenge conventions. The dancer, enveloped in fabric, performed a seated exploration of grief, utilizing angular, abstract movements that defied traditional notions of beauty. The work initially drew criticism, with some contemporaries deeming it “simply dreadful,” but Graham remained steadfast in her artistic vision, even being labeled a “heretic” for her emotionally raw performances.
Despite initial resistance, Graham’s influence extended beyond the dance world. She trained actors like Bette Davis and Gregory Peck, and her work attracted the attention of prominent figures like Mikhail Baryshnikov and Madonna. Graham also served as a cultural ambassador for the United States, performed at the White House, and received accolades including a Kennedy Center Honor. Eilber highlighted Graham’s ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, noting her skill in securing support for the company, even at fundraising dinners.
The Martha Graham Dance Company’s centennial tour continues, carrying forward a legacy of innovation and a commitment to exploring the depths of the human experience. The company is currently performing Jamar Roberts’ We the People, a work that continues Graham’s tradition of using dance to reflect and interrogate the American story.
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