The Mother of Contemporary Dance Martha Graham Martha

The Mother of Contemporary Dance Martha Graham

Martha Graham: Biography � Born in 1894 in Pennsylvania. Her father was a psychiatrist. � She trained at the Denishawn school. Shawn used her as a soloist but she was shunned by Denis. � Graham established a centre for contemporary dance in 1926 and her students danced in her company. � She choreographed over 200 pieces for her company and performed until she was 76 years old! � She was the first dance to perform at The White House. � She died in 1991.

American Dance Prior to Graham �Oriental focus- India and China influenced everything from fashion to interior design and dance was focused upon the orient. �Ballet was performed in Vaudeville and there was some ballet after the end of Dhiaghilev’s ballet Russes. �There was nothing truly “American” and this is what Graham set out to create.

The Graham Technique �Graham’s technique is based on exercises that she created to train her dancers to move like her. �The technique comes from the core and Graham believed it was the source of all emotion and motion. �Much of her technique can be categorised under contraction, release and spiral. �It is earthy, shunning the flightiness of ballet.

Positions of Graham technique �Contraction Spiral Release

Just to warn you: �Because Graham technique comes from the core there is a great deal of hip usage, make sure you stretch out your legs and hips tonight!