Martha Graham. Photo Credit: Barbara Morgan.
“Fast forward, rewind, pause, hit that position…NO, wait, go back a little tiny bit, more, THERE, okay…STOP!” The Martha Graham dancers, busily rehearsing, acknowledge a single TV set with eyes furrowed in concentration. They are attempting to bring to life Graham’s Every Soul is a Circus, 47 years after it was created. How can this older choreography be seen as fresh and modern today? Blakeley White-McGuire, who will take on Graham’s original role, shares how she manages: “Well I approach the choreography from the characters viewpoint [asking], what are her emotions, her intentions…?” [click to continue…]
Tagged as:
Martha Graham,
The Martha Graham Dance Company
Dancers in "We Are Weather" by Vanessa Anspaugh. Photo Credit: Michael Hart.
I recently saw a contemporary dance performance in St. Mark’s Church-In-The-Bowery. There were two parts; the first called “I’m Not Coming Back“.
The lights went out, making the scene ominous. A little girl was revealed to be crouching in the middle of the floor when the spotlight illuminated her.
The music came on, surreal and mechanical and clockwork sounding; it sounded steampunk. It was slightly disturbing, but not unpleasant. The other five dancers came out when the music started, shaking their heads and limbs, walking forward with the music, with their eyes closed.
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Dance,
Danspace Project,
St. Mark's Church-In-The-Bowery
Martha Graham rehearsing “The Witch of Endor" in 1965. Photo Credit: Sam Falk.
Lights, camera, DANCE ACTION! You would think that show business was as easy as those three words. I know what these dancers do looks very easy, but in reality it is extremely difficult. During the first couple of weeks with the Teen Reviewers and Critics Dance Program I saw many performances, but it was a different experience to observe The Martha Graham Dance Company in practice mode. I had always pictured professionals as perfect and incapable of making any mistakes, but in rehearsal I saw a lot of mess-ups— also, a lot of smiling and leg warmers. Even though the dancers would make mistakes in the choreography, they did not take it heart. I was surprised to see that even during their break, the performers would use their time to continue working, “counting and watching like crazy maniacs,” as artistic director of the Martha Graham Company, Janet Eilber described. [click to continue…]
Tagged as:
Dance,
Martha Graham,
The Martha Graham Dance Company
Emily Johnson performing the "The Thank You Bar”. Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy.
Imagine a pitch-black basement, with a lamp emitting just enough light for you to see the outline of your hands. Now…listen. Listen to the beeping sound, faint in the distance. Listen to the footsteps traveling offstage. Listen to the acoustic guitar, one string then two strings plucked. Again, footsteps. Listen to the harmonious double vibration of two strings plucked together that was just produced as if a responsive ’yes’ to the other negative, one high pitched string. Listen to the strings argue. Listen to the newer sounds layering on, louder than before.
Now…stop listening with your ears, breathe in, close your eyes, and travel with the music. The low pitched strings from the guitar resonate in your heart. You feel the bass. All of a sudden, this basement that you imagined, filled with life, is shut down, and again, you’re alone.
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Tagged as:
Blackfish,
Dance,
Emily Johnson,
New York Live Arts
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