Martha Graham - White Bird Dance

White Bird

DANCE ®

2016-17

Xin Ying in Martha Graham’s “Diversion of Angels” © Hibbard Nash Photography

DISCOVER A WORLD OF DANCE

MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY

May 10, 2017 | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

Now celebrating 90 years, the Martha Graham Dance Company feels as young as ever. We applaud Artistic Director Janet Eilber for making the classic Graham dances feel as alive as when Martha Graham first created them. It is a testament to the continuing strength of the Graham Company that we chose to include Martha Graham Dance Company in our curation of the American Dance Platform at the Joyce Theater in January 2016. Numerous international dance presenters attended and were immediately struck by the beauty and force of the company—many had not seen the Graham Company perform for at least 10 years.

PHOTO BY SARAH TOOR

CONCLUDING OUR SEASON WITH THE BEGINNINGS OF MODERN DANCE

PAUL, WALTER AND BARNEY PREPARE FOR CUISINE & CONFESSIONS IN MARCH 2017. WATCHING THE FLOUR FLY!

Tonight’s program includes Martha Graham’s joyous Diversion of Angels from 1948 and Dark Meadow Suite, based on Graham’s longer Dark Meadow from 1946. We are also pleased to acknowledge Janet Eilber’s inclusion of new commissioned work by outstanding choreographers, inspired by Martha Graham’s genius. Tonight also you will see Rust by Nacho Duato, a Spanish choreographer well known to our audiences, as well as Mosaic, by a major artist new to White Bird, the Belgian Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.

As we end our season, we are thrilled to mark the transition into White Bird’s 2017–18 season with Martha Graham, widely celebrated as the mother of modern dance. We are excited to see you back next October for the launch of White Bird’s 20th anniversary, with the dazzling Complexions followed the next week by the company that launched White Bird in 1997, Paul Taylor Dance Company.

We wish you a fantastic summer.

Paul King

Walter Jaffe

LOCAL EXPERTS, GLOBAL REACH Bonhams specialists will be visiting Portland soon to provide free and confidential appraisals with a view to selling at auction.

White Bird is proud to belong to Dance/USA, the national service and advocacy organization for the dance field. For more information, please visit danceusa.org

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY +1 (503) 312 6023 sheryl.acheson@bonhams.com AN IMPORTANT DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING Sold for $1,447,500 Found in Portland, sold in New York

bohams.com/portland Prices shown include buyer’s premium.

Details can be found at bonhams.com

THANK YOU FLOCK MEMBERS. YOU MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE! IF YOU ARE NOT YET CONTRIBUTING, PLEASE CONSIDER A GENEROUS GIFT TO WHITE BIRD. IF YOU ARE CONTRIBUTING, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO HIGHER!

WELCOME PLATINUM PATRONS XX In anticipation of White Bird’s 20 anniversary in 2017–18, we have created a special donors circle Platinum Patrons XX (PPXX). We extend great thanks to the individuals below who have made a generous increased donation in honor of our upcoming milestone season. th

Please join us in our important fundraising campaign. For more information on how to become a Platinum Patron XX, please contact Linda Twichell, Director of Revenue and Community Partnerships, at linda@whitebird.org.

Tom Ancona & Laura Tarrish Anonymous (2) Carole Alexander Terrence P. Bean Audry & Chris Bond Kathleen Bristow Ed Clark & Janet Roberts Jack & Terri Duncan Carol & Jeana Edelman George Eighmey Margaret W. Frank Kit Gillem & Deborah Horrell Christine & Robert Gilmore Valarie Grudier Jan Hurst Lola Jaffe Becky Jones Erin Manwaring Sarah McNary Phyllis Newmark The Nutt House Fund Marthel Porter David Ritchie & LaJean Humphries Joanne & Steven Rizzo Marti & John Rosenthal Grace Serbu & Ivan Gold Donna Silverberg Jaymi & Francis Sladen Peter J. Vennewitz Ellen Walkley Patricia & Jack Wong (List current as of April 28, 2017)

WHITE BIRD FLOCK Our Flock List is current as of April 28, 2017. Contributions after this date will be reflected in the next program.

Any questions, please contact Walter Jaffe, wjaffe@whitebird.org , (503) 245-1600, Ext. 202.

Generous contributors to the White Bird /MKG New Works Fund since September 2008.

PPXX Members of the new Platinum Patrons XX Circle

TITANIUM PLUME ($10,000+) Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Ken & Ann Edwards/ Starseed Foundation Fred Fields Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation Walter Jaffe & Paul King Ronni Lacroute/ WillaKenzie Estate Israel’s Office of Cultural Affairs in North America James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust National Endowment for the Arts Gary Nelson & Minh Tran Gary Nelson & Minh Tran in Memory of Michael Magaurn Oregonian Media Group Regional Arts & Culture Council including support from the City of Portland, Multnomah County and the Arts Access Fund Darci & Charlie Swindells Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation George & Nancy Thorn Wells Fargo Willamette Week Work for Art PLATINUM PLUME ($5000+) PPXX Anonymous Sheryl Acheson/Bonhams Barbara J. Fitzgerald Boeing Joan Cirillo & Roger Cooke Columbia Bank/ Columbia Trust Carol Ihlenburg The J and J Foundation Hugh & Mair Lewis Magaurn Video Media Oregon Arts Commission Neil Kelly PosterGarden Kurt Beadell/ Vibrant Table Catering WESTAF TourWest

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PPXX Carole Alexander

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PPXX Tom Ancona &

Laura Tarrish

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Hal & Alice McCartor Jim McGinn & Jamie Bluhm John McVea James & Kathleen Meyer Kenneth R. Murphy & Yvonne De Maat Martin C. Muller Ken Murray Robert Olsen Kimberly & Vitaly Paley Portland General Electric Co. Judith E Posey & Edward J Doyle Bonnie Reagan Sarah & Nathan Roe Linda Shelton Donna Shu & Thomas Kane Donna Silverberg Bette Sinclair & Richard Didzun David & Chris Sinner Jane Unger Brian & Nikki Weaver Timothy Wilson Kim Ziebell FEATHERED FRIENDS ($100+) Ed Abrahamson & Cynthia Chilton Susan Agre- Kippenhan & Mike Kippenhan Hagen & Emily Amen Elizabeth Arch Jan & Winston Asai Karen Alexander Brown All Classical J Robert Alvis III Marlene Anderson Anonymous 3 Ruby Apsler April Avery Nila Baker Michele & Bill Bader Laurie Balmuth Bill Bard & James Donder Linda Barnwell Kathie Bayer Toni Berres-Paul John Bissonnette Jason Blackwell Joanne Bonime Craig Boretz & Rachelle Jacover Pat Brady Phil Brady & Pat Evenson-Brady Janet Brandt Martin & Diane Brandt Diana Bright Dennis Brown Warren & Donna Brown T.J. Browning & Scott Pratt Marianne Buchwalter Carol Bunten Kathryn Burlingham Amy Drake Campbell Don Caniparoli & Sarah Rosenberg Jessica Carneol James & Mary Chase Lisa Chickadonz Bradley Coffey Karen Creason Aaron Creurer & Fred Ross Susan Cyganiak

Sally Dadmun Bixby Susan Dale Eloise Damrosch Christine D’Arcy George Devendorf Tomika Dew Bonnie Dickinson Anne Driscoll Robert Dunit Marianne Dwyer Earl Dyer Heather Eberhardt Catherine Evleshin David Fanger & Martin Wechsler Wendy Farber Carolyn & Ruthie Ferguson Joan Findlay Barbara Fishleder & John Wolfe Mary Folberg Lawrence M. Fong Jerome & Mary Fulton Patricia Gauer Chris Gauger & Lee Leighton Benjamin Gerritz Arthur Glasfeld & Susan Mikota Nona Glazer Nancy & Rolf Glerum Emily Goetz Janie Golderberg & Steve Albert Deborah & Sid Green Pam Greenough Corrie Evelyn Hamann Margretta Hansen Gary & Lynne Hartshorn Jeff Hawthorne Terry Hasegawa Courtney Haxton Beatrice Hedlund Jennifer Heilbronner Karen Henell Diane Herrmann Hewlett Packard Phillip Hillaire Stephen Hillis Mark Holloway Maria & Jon Hopple Meghan Hoopes & Nicolas Nelson Al Horn & Nancy Goodwin Brook & Ann Howard Martha Ireland Rachel Jacky David Jensen Daphna & Iddo Kadim Paula Kanarek & Ross Kaplan John Kellermann Paul M. Keown & Clyt’e Speidel Promise King Kathryn King-Goldberg Susan Kneeshaw Robert Kravitz Kroger Clara Kubeja Joanna Langdale Elizabeth Laucks Judith Lesch Fuchsia Lin Lydia & Derek Lipman Stephanie Lolich Katherine Longstreth Joyce Lozito

Nekicia Luckett Jonathan Lurie Bel-Ami Margoles Phillip Margolin Pamela Matheson Carolyn McFadden Anne Egan & Tim McNichol Bonnie Merrill Greg & Sandy Mico Josie Moseley Ilse & Billie Moser Martha Murray Patricia Navin & Bill Poleson Fred R. Neal III Andy Nelson & Kathy Gorman Greg Netzer Alison Nimura Eileen Odum Robert Olds Christine & Paul O’Mara Sandra Pagels Jon Palanuk Carolyn & Robert Palanuk Kathy Pape Toni Parque Judith & Jerry Paul Karen Pazucha & Laurence Morandi Sondra & Gordon Pearlman Heriberto Petschek Cheryl & David Pfaff Pfizer Foundation Scott Philips Laurie Pino David Quivey Judy Renzema Sheila Ford Richmond Ruth Robinson Patricia Rojas Charles & Judith Rooks Alison Roper Mazzola Kat Rosenbaum Edward Rouffy SAIF Corporation Dan Saltzman Jone Sampson Liz Sandoval & David Lewis Ron Saroff & Irene Hecht Meredith & William Savery Jim Scherzinger & Claire Carder Diana Scoggins Virginia Sewell Roger & Janice Shea Joan & Paul Sher Jon & Ann Sinclair Eric Skinner & Daniel Kirk Susan Sorensen Janne Stark & Charles Curb The Steinfelds Brian Stief Charles Stilwell Stephanie & Stephen Sussman Gary Taliaferro Kathy Taylor Tyler Termeer James Thompson Christine Tschida Lyle Tucker Bianca Urdes Tony Urdes VIlma Chan Vasquez Jenny & Tony Vaught Michael Weaver

Marguerite Weber Beth & Gary Westbrook Carolyn Wieden Karen Whisler Margaret Willer Larry Williams Robyn Williams & Roger Scarbrough Robert Woods & Jeff Pittman Anthony Yeznach Richard Yugler & Christine Tarpey Gary & Kay Zimmerli FRIENDS ($50+) August Altucher Sona Andrews Anonymous Sue Armitage Linda Barnwell Kristi Bigio John Henry Bourke Deborah Buchanan Treena & Dennis Buehler Bill Bulick & Carol McIntosh Joy Cartier & Bruce Villarreal Nancy Clement Rick Comandich Eliza Crockett Jamie Cummings Helen M. Daltoso Deborah Danielson Lena Dubois Laraine Gladstone David Goldstein Elinor Gollay Nancy Gordon-Zwerling Connie Guist HB Design Nancy Hendrickson Caroline Henry Maureen Herndon Joan Hoffman Ava Hoover Jacqueline Hoyt Mark Huey & Wayne Wiegard Judy Jacobson Peggy Kavka William Kline & Todd Guenzburger Richard Leeuwenburg Billy & Mickey Lindsay-Mistler Barbara Lovre Marcy & Richard Lowy Jane Luddecke Katherine MacKenzie Mimi Maduro Tere Mathern Robin McAlpine Kelly McDermott Dr. & Mrs. Gary McLaughlin Michael McManus Sue Merfeld Amy Monroe Scott T. Moore Evelyn Nast Jennifer Neilson NW Natural Lee Ann & Daniel O’Leary Lisa Onstad Barry Pack & Francis Troy Bonnie Peterson

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS White Bird extends great thanks to the following foundations and government agencies for their support of the 2016 –17 nineteenth season.

The Regional Arts & Culture Council, including support from the City of Portland, Multnomah County and the Arts Education & Access Fund, Work for Art, including contributions from more than 75 companies and 2,000 employees, Starseed Foundation, Enterprise Holdings Foundation, The Autzen Foundation

OUR GENEROUS COMMUNITY PARTNERS artistic directors jamey hampton + ashley roland

artistic directors jamey hampton + ashley roland

OUR GENEROUS RESTAURANT PARTNERS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THE WHITE BIRD TEAM

Paul King, President Walter Jaffe, Secretary/Treasurer Kendall Acheson Sheryl Acheson Albert E. Chaffin, MD, FAAP Ann Edwards Ken Edwards Sandra Holmes Carol Ihlenburg Kim Morrison Gary Nelson Minh Tran Vinh Wong Nancy & George Thorn, Founding Board Members Emereti

Walter Jaffe, Co-Founder, wjaffe@whitebird.org Paul King, Co-Founder, pking@whitebird.org Chelsea Bushnell, Director of Audience Services, chelsea@whitebird.org Linda Twichell, Director of Revenue & Community Partnerships, linda@whitebird.org Hannah Luckow, Marketing Director/NEST Coordinator, hannah@whitebird.org David Nolfi, Director of Finance, david@whitebird.org Justin Hastay, Special Projects Manager, justin@whitebird.org Jeff Forbes, Technical Director Lauren Bayard, Volunteer Poster/Flyer Coordinator Karen Stahr, Manager of Merchandise, karen@whitebird.org Liz Sandoval, Volunteer Group Sales Coordinator Natalie Anthony, Graphic Design Dave Weaver, Web Designer Office Volunteers: Connie Guist, Mary McGilvra, Stephanie Sussman, Jessica Vasi, Moira Winchell White Bird is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to bringing excellence in dance to Portland, Oregon.

2016-17

2016-17

White Bird

in our community Photo by Carolyn Campbell

Ronald K. Brown, with Judith Jamison and Renee Mitchell

Photo by Carolyn Campbell

(L to R) Arcell Cabuag, Paul King, Judith Jamison, Renee Mitchell, Kemba Shannon, Ronald K. Brown, Walter Jaffe

Ronald K. Brown teaching at a community workshop to dancers of all ages.

View from the Perch

Ronald K. Brown Community Workshop

April 3, 2017, The Treasury:

A Conversation with Judith Jamison, Ronald K. Brown and Renee Mitchell on Alvin Ailey

Polaris Dance, April 4, 2017

the White Party Featuring Michelle Lesniak A White Bird Benefit Event

Celebrated fashion designer Michelle Lesniak showcases her capsule collection for White Bird with dancer-models and music by bass guitarist, Seth Montfort.

4-6pm

Saturday

June 24, 2017

STARCHITECT DESIGNED residence SW Portland Sponsors:

Joan Cirillo and Roger Cooke

TICKETS/Info: whitebird.org Hosted by White Bird Board Member, Sandy Holmes

MAY 10, 2017 ARLENE SCHNITZER CONCERT HALL

presents

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

JANET EILBER

LARUE ALLEN

THE COMPANY Abdiel Jacobsen Lloyd Knight Ben Schultz Xin Ying Natasha M. Diamond-Walker Charlotte Landreau Lloyd Mayor Ari Mayzick Lorenzo Pagano So Young An Laurel Dalley Smith Anne O’Donnell Anne Souder Leslie Andrea Williams Konstantina Xintara Jacob Larsen Marzia Memoli

SENIOR ARTISTIC ASSOCIATE DENISE VALE MAJOR SUPPORT FOR THE MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY IS PROVIDED BY The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation The Howard Gilman Foundation National Endowment for the Arts New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature The Artists employed in this production are members of the American Guild of Musical Artists AFL-CIO. Copyright to all Martha Graham dances presented held by the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance, Inc. All rights reserved.

SPONSOR

MEDIA SPONSOR

The use of photography is prohibited. Please silence your cell phones.

TONIGHT’S PROGRAM

MOSAIC CHOREOGRAPHY BY Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui ASSISTANTS TO MR. CHERKAOUI Jason Kittelberger and Jennifer White MUSIC BY Felix Buxton† COSTUMES BY Karen Young LIGHTING BY Nick Hung Premiere: February 15, 2017, The Joyce Theater, New York City

DARK MEADOW SUITE CHOREOGRAPHY AND COSTUMES BY Martha Graham ARRANGEMENT BY Janet Eilber MUSIC BY Carlos Chavez† LIGHTING BY Nick Hung Premiere: April 1, 2016, Library of Congress, Washington, DC

Abdiel Jacobsen Charlotte Landreau Lloyd Mayor Ari Mayzick Anne O’Donnell Lorenzo Pagano Anne Souder Leslie Andrea Williams Xin Ying

Through the act of dancing forgotten memories emerge. We sense that we have been all things.

“I have been ere now a boy and a girl, a brush, a bird, and a dumb fish in the sea.” (Empedocles)

Co-commissioned for the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance, Inc. by Carolina Performing Arts, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Christopher Jones and Deb McAlister.

Anne Souder Lloyd Mayor

“Yedidi Hashakhakhta” from Yedid Nefesh by Meirav Ben DavidHarel, Yaïr Harel, Nima Ben David, Michèle Claude; Moses by Fadia Thomb El Hague & Sarband; “Moshé” from Yedid Nefesh

by Meirav Ben David-Harel, Yaïr Harel, Nima Ben David, Michèle Claude. †

So Young An Laurel Dalley Smith Abdiel Jacobsen Charlotte Landreau Jacob Larsen Ari Mayzick Marzia Memoli Leslie Andrea Williams

PAUSE

Commissioned by the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation in the Library of Congress, Washington, DC. La Hija de Colquide used by arrangement with G. Schirmer, Inc., agent for Carlanita Music Company, publisher and copyright owner.

Adaptedand conducted by Aaron Sherber. †

DIVERSION OF ANGELS CHOREOGRAPHY AND COSTUMES by Martha Graham MUSIC BY Norman Dello Joio† ORIGINAL LIGHTING BY Jean Rosenthal ADAPTED BY Beverly Emmons Premiere: August 13, 1948, Palmer Auditorium, New London, CT

PAUSE

RUST CHOREOGRAPHY AND COSTUMES BY Nacho Duato ASSISTANT TO MR. DUATO Kevin Irving MUSIC BY Arvo Pärt† ADDITIONAL MUSIC BY Pedro Alcalde LIGHTING BY Brad Fields Premiere: April 26, 2013, Memorial Hall, Chapel Hill, NC

THE COUPLE IN WHITE Natasha M. Diamond-Walker, Ben Schultz THE COUPLE IN RED Xin Ying, Lorenzo Pagano THE COUPLE IN YELLOW Charlotte Landreau, Lloyd Mayor So Young An Marzia Memoli Anne Souder Leslie Andrea Williams Jacob Larsen

Abdiel Jacobsen Lloyd Knight Ari Mayzick Lorenzo Pagano Ben Schultz

Martha Graham once described Diversion of Angels as three aspects of love: the couple in white represents mature love in perfect balance; red, erotic love; and yellow, adolescent love.

The dance follows no story. Its action takes place in the imaginary garden love creates for itself. The ballet was originally called Wilderness Stair.

Commissioned for the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance, Inc. by Carolina Performing Arts, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Nacho Duato commission made possible by Sunny Artist Management Inc. Montreal, Canada – Ilter Ibrahimof, Director De Profundis, used by arrangement with European American Music Distributors Company, publisher and copyright owner. †

“It is the place of the Rock and the Ladder, the raven, the blessing, the tempter, the rose. It is the wish of the single-hearted, the undivided; play after the spirit’s labor; games, flights, fancies, configurations of the lover’s intention; the believed Possibility, at once strenuous and tender; humors of innocence, garlands, evangels, Joy on the Wilderness Stair, diversion of angels.” –Ben Belitt

INTERMISSION

Used by arrangement with Carl Fischer, Inc., publisher and copyright owner.

†

NOTES ON THE REPERTORY

ABOUT MARTHA GRAHAM

DARK MEADOW SUITE (1946)

Martha Graham has had a deep and lasting impact on American art and culture. She single-handedly defined contemporary dance as a uniquely American art form, which the nation has in turn shared with the world. Crossing artistic boundaries, she collaborated with and commissioned work from the leading visual artists, musicians, and designers of her day, including sculptor Isamu Noguchi and composers Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, and Gian Carlo Menotti.

The Dark Meadow Suite is made up of highlights from a much longer work

by Martha Graham, Dark Meadow, which premiered on January 23, 1946, Plymouth Theatre, New York City. The Suite, created in 2016, is designed to feature the exceptional choreography that Graham created for the ensemble of dancers in Dark Meadow. Both the unison dancing and the partnering have been recognized as some of Graham’s most architectural, ritualistic and profound creations. They are clearly inspired by Graham’s love of the rituals of the natives of both the American Southwest and Mexico, which she observed as a young woman. The Mexican composer Carlos Chavez wrote the spacious musical score for Graham. The dancers often work in counterpoint to the score using the sound of their feet and other body percussion effects. In her original program note, Graham wrote, “Dark Meadow is a re-enactment of the mysteries which attend the eternal adventure of seeking.” It is an abstract work about life’s journey and the search for connection with one’s self and one’s community. This dance is a prime example of Graham as a leader in mid–20th Century modernism.

RUST (2013) Rust was created for the Martha Graham Dance Company in 2013 by esteemed choreographer Nacho Duato. This dark, striking quintet for men is performed to a score by Arvo Pärt. In Rust, Nacho Duato seeks to stir up awareness in a public seemingly indifferent to the true horror of torture, which he equates with the plagues of terrorism and violence facing society today.

MOSAIC (2017) “Inspired by the energies and sensuality of the Middle East, Mosaic is my attempt to simultaneously piece together, juxtapose, and uncover its different facets and paradoxes. Since my childhood, I have been exposed to the aesthetics specific to the orient, from the calligraphy to the architecture, and the mosaic in particular has always held a fascination for me. A small repetitive pattern, it is mathematical in its application, and inevitably yielding a finished work that is a total departure from the individual piece and much larger than the sum of its parts. I wanted to use it as a starting point for my choreography, to exploit its fractal quality in dismantling clichés, and use its central idea as a building block, to create movement that is organically reminiscent of creatures and images we associate with the region as well as suggestive of the mystery the Middle East evokes.” –SIDI LARBI CHERKAOUI

DIVERSION OF ANGELS (1948) Diversion of Angels, originally titled Wilderness Stair, premiered at the Palmer Auditorium of Connecticut College on August 13, 1948. The title, as well as a set piece designed by Isamu Noguchi suggestive of desert terrain, was discarded after the first performance, and the dance was reconceived as a plotless ballet. Diversion of Angels is set to a romantic score by Norman Dello Joio and takes its themes from the infinite aspects of love. The Couple in Red embodies romantic love and “the ecstasy of the contraction”; the Couple in White, mature love; and the Couple in Yellow, a flirtatious and adolescent love.

Martha Graham recalled that when she first saw the work of the modern artist Wassily Kandinsky, she was astonished by his use of color, a bold slash of red across a blue background. She determined to make a dance that would express this. Diversion of Angels is that dance, and the Girl in Red, dashing across the stage, is the streak of red paint bisecting the Kandinsky canvas.

—ELLEN GRAFF

Graham’s groundbreaking style grew from her experimentation with the elemental movements of contraction and release. By focusing on the basic activities of the human form, she enlivened the body with raw, electric emotion. The sharp, angular, and direct movements of her technique were a dramatic departure from the predominant style of the time.

Graham influenced generations of choreographers that included Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor, and Twyla Tharp, altering the scope of dance. Classical ballet dancers Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev, and Mikhail Baryshnikov sought her out to broaden their artistry. Artists of all genres were eager to study and work with Graham—she taught actors including Bette Davis, Kirk Douglas, Madonna, Liza Minnelli, Gregory Peck, Tony Randall, Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson, and Joanne Woodward to utilize their bodies as expressive instruments.

During her long and illustrious career, Graham created 181 dance compositions. During the Bicentennial she was granted the United States’ highest civilian honor, The Medal of Freedom. In 1998, TIME Magazine named her the “Dancer of the Century.” The first dancer to perform at the White House and to act as a cultural ambassador abroad, she captured the spirit of a nation.

“No artist is ahead of his time,” she said. “He is his time.

It is just that the others are behind the time.”

Photo by Cris Alexander

MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY | BIOGRAPHIES JANET EILBER

Martha Graham, Erick Hawkins and the Martha Graham Dance Company in Martha Graham’s “Appalachian Spring” Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

ABOUT THE COMPANY The Martha Graham Dance Company has been a leader in the development of contemporary dance since its founding in 1926. Today, the Company is embracing a new programming vision that showcases masterpieces by Graham alongside newly commissioned works by contemporary artists. With programs that offer a rich thematic narrative, the Company creates new platforms for contemporary dance and multiple points of access for audiences.

Since its inception, the Martha Graham Dance Company has received international acclaim from audiences in more than 50 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Russia, and the Middle East. The Company has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, the Paris Opera House, Covent Garden, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, as well as at the base of the Great Pyramids in Egypt and in the ancient Herod Atticus Theatre on the Acropolis in Athens. In addition, the Company has also produced several award-winning films broadcast on PBS and around the world.

(ARTISTIC DIRECTOR) has been the Company’s artistic director since 2005. Her direction has focused on creating new forms of audience access to Martha Graham’s masterworks. These initiatives include contextual programming, educational and community partnerships, use of new media, commissions from today’s top choreographers and creative events such as the Lamentation Variations. Earlier in her career, as a principal dancer with the Company, Ms. Eilber worked closely with Martha Graham. She danced many of Graham’s greatest roles, had roles created for her by Graham, and was directed by Graham in most of the major roles of the repertory. She soloed at the White House, was partnered by Rudolf Nureyev, starred in three segments of Dance in America, and has since taught, lectured, and directed Graham ballets internationally. Apart from her work with Graham, Ms. Eilber has performed in films, on television, and on Broadway directed by such greats as Agnes deMille and Bob Fosse and has received four Lester Horton Awards for her reconstruction and performance of seminal American modern dance.

She has served as Director of Arts Education for the Dana Foundation, guiding the Foundation’s support for Teaching Artist training and contributing regularly to its arts education publications. Ms. Eilber is a Trustee Emeritus of the Interlochen Center for the Arts. She is married to screenwriter/ director John Warren, with whom she has two daughters, Madeline and Eva.

SIDI LARBI CHERKAOUI (CHOREOGRAPHER) is a multi-award winning Flemish-Moroccan artist renowned for his quest for intercultural dialogue. Mr. Cherkaoui has choreographed over 30 full-length productions, and founded his Antwerp-based contemporary dance company Eastman in 2010. In 2015, he was appointed Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet of Flanders. Mr. Cherkaoui is the Associate Artist of Sadler’s Wells is also sought after by major ballet and opera houses, theatre and film directors around the world for collaborations. Mosaic is his first commission by the Martha Graham Dance Company.

MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY | BIOGRAPHIES NACHO DUATO

(CHOREOGRAPHER) is one of the most renowned contemporary ballet choreographers of his time. He was the Artistic Director of Compañía Nacional de Danza in Madrid Spain from 1990–2010, transforming the company into one of the most successful touring ensembles in the world. Mr. Duato became the Artistic Director of Mikhailovsky Ballet Theater in 2010. In 2014 he became Artistic Director of Staatsballetts Berlin, and remains with Mikhailovsky as choreographer in residence.

DENISE VALE

(SENIOR ARTISTIC ASSOCIATE) joined the Martha Graham Dance Company in 1985, attaining the rank of principal dancer. Roles performed include the Pioneering Woman in Appalachian Spring, Woman in White in Diversion of Angels, Chorus Leader in Night Journey, Chorus in Cave of the Heart, the Attendant in Hérodiade, Leader in the 1980s reconstruction of “Steps in the Street”, and Night Chant, a ballet created for Ms. Vale by Martha Graham in 1989.

Graham solos performed include Lamentation, Frontier, Satyric Festival Song, and Serenata Morisca.

LLOYD KNIGHT (PRINCIPAL) joined the Company in 2005 and performs leading roles in Appalachian Spring, Embattled Garden, Errand into the Maze and others.

Born in England and raised in Miami, he trained at Miami Conservatory of Ballet and graduated from New World School of the Arts, under the direction of Daniel Lewis. There he worked with choreographers, Donald McKayle, Robert Battle, and Michael Uthoff. He received scholarships to The Ailey School and Dance Theatre of Harlem. Dance Magazine named him one of the “Top 25 Dancers to Watch” in 2010. Mr. Knight partnered Wendy Whelan in Moon and Misty Copeland in At Summer’s Full.

ABDIEL JACOBSEN (PRINCIPAL), native of Cote D’Ivoire, joined the Company in 2011 and performs lead roles in Graham’s iconic repertory, including Errand into the Maze with prima ballerina Diana Vishneva. As well, he performs works by Nacho Duato, Robert Wilson, Sonya Tayeh, Luca Veggetti, Andonis Foniadakis, Michelle Dorrance, Larry Keigwin, Doug Varone, Richard Move, and Bulareyaung Pagarlava.

Mr. Jacobsen received a B.F.A. in Modern Dance from the University of the Arts. He is also a Professional Competitive Ballroom and Latin dancer/instructor, and a guest artist with the Cecilia Marta Dance Company.

circus, acting, and modern dance at the Maurice Béjart School (Switzerland). In 2012 she received a scholarship to study at the Martha Graham School. Ms. Landreau danced with Graham 2 and was honored with the Pearl Lang Award.

BEN SCHULTZ (PRINCIPAL) joined the

LLOYD MAYOR (SOLOIST) joined the

Company in 2009 and dances leading roles including King Hades in Clytemnestra and Jason in Cave of the Heart. He premiered Martha Graham’s work in Russia performing Errand into the Maze with prima ballerina Diana Vishneva at the Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg. Earlier dance credits include the Tony Award® winning Blast!, the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, and Hannah Kahn Contemporary Dance. Mr. Schultz has served as faculty and resident choreographer for the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. Mr. Schultz starred in the world premiere of AXE, a work created by Mats Ek for the Company.

XIN YING (PRINCIPAL) joined the Company in 2011 and performs lead roles in Diversion of Angels, Clytemnestra, Woodland and I used to love you among others. In 2008 she received the China Dance Lotus Award. She was the director of the Dance Department at Sichuan College of Arts & Culture and a guest teacher at the Graham School, the Beijing Dance Academy and Nanjing University of Arts.

She was awarded a full scholarship to the Graham School, and was a member of Graham 2.

NATASHA M. DIAMOND-WALKER

(SOLOIST) hails from Los Angels, CA,

joined the Company in 2011. Ms. DiamondWalker performs lead roles in Graham’s Appalachian Spring, Diversion of Angels, Cave of the Heart, Embattled Garden, and has worked with Annie-B Parson, Kyle Abraham, Sonya Tayeh, and Nacho Duato.

She graduated with a BFA in dance from Fordham University and has been featured in numerous TV commercials, films, and print ads, as well as co-starred on Fox’s Gotham.

CHARLOTTE LANDREAU (SOLOIST) a native of France, joined the Company in 2013. She dances lead roles in Graham’s Appalachian Spring (The Bride), Errand into the Maze, The Rite of Spring (The Chosen One) and Maple Leaf Rag. She trained as a rhythmic gymnast and studied ballet,

Company in 2012 and performs lead roles in Appalachian Spring, Diversion of Angels, Embattled Garden, Andonis Foniadakis’s Echo, and Richard Move’s The Show (Achilles Heels), first danced by Mikhail Baryshnikov. In 2014, Mr. Mayor was honored with the Clive Barnes Dance Award and is now a board member of the Foundation. For the Company’s 90th anniversary in April 2016, Mr. Mayor danced an excerpt of Appalachian Spring with former Étoile and Artistic Director of the Paris Opera Ballet, Aurélie Dupont.

ARI MAYZICK (SOLOIST) hails from New York where he began his professional dance training at the age of 11. Ari has danced with Pearl Lang Dance Theater, Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre (now Rioult), Scapino Ballet (Holland), Washington Opera as a guest soloist, Les Ballets Grandiva, Buglisi Dance Theatre and Dance Iquail just to name a few. He is a recipient of the Princess Grace Award of Excellence in Dance and is currently on faculty at The Ailey School.

LORENZO PAGANO (SOLOIST) joined the Company in 2012 and dances lead roles in Graham’s Appalachian Spring, Embattled Garden, Night Journey, Dark Meadow, and Diversion of Angels and in contemporary works by Andonis Foniadakis, Nacho Duato, Pontus Lidberg and Sonya Tayeh.

A native of Torino, Italy, he moved to the US and trained as a scholarship student at The School at Jacob’s Pillow and the Martha Graham School. In 2016 Pagano received the Italian International Dance Award for “Male Rising Star”.

SO YOUNG AN (DANCER) joined the Company in 2016. Ms. An received a BFA from Dong-Ah University in Korea. She is the recipient of the 1995 International Arts Award and the Grand Prize at the Korea National Ballet Grand Prix in 2001. She has danced with Korea National Ballet Company and Buglisi Dance Theatre and has also performed works by Yuri Grigorovich, Jean-Christophe Maillot, Mats Ek, Patricia Ruanne and Samantha Dunster.

MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY | BIOGRAPHIES LAUREL DALLEY SMITH (DANCER), from England, joined the Company in 2015. She performs lead roles in Graham’s Errand into the Maze, Maple Leaf Rag and Diversion of Angels, and roles in contemporary works by Marie Chouinard, Pontus Lidberg and Annie-B Parson. Ms. Dalley Smith graduated from Central School of Ballet with 1st class Honours. Before joining Graham she performed with the UK Tour of West Side Story, Joss Arnott Dance and Yorke Dance Project, creating roles in Robert Cohan’s 2014 Lingua Franca and Lacrymosa.

ANNE O’DONNELL (DANCER) joined the Company in 2014 and performs lead roles in Graham’s Appalachian Spring and Dark Meadow Suite and in new works by Marie Chouinard, Mats Ek, Pontus Lidberg, Annie-B Parson and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. She danced with Ailey II and Buglisi Dance Theatre and attended Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Program, Glimmerglass Opera Festival, and Springboard Danse Montreal. She appeared on the cover of Dance Spirit’s February 2016 Issue “Young and Modern”.

ANNE SOUDER (DANCER) joined the Company in 2015. Ms. Souder began her dance training in Maryville, Tennessee and continued to earn her degree in the Ailey/ Fordham BFA program, graduating with a double major in Dance and Theology.

There she performed works by Alvin Ailey, Ronald K. Brown, Dwight Rhoden, and more. Upon graduation, Ms. Souder joined Graham 2 and was awarded a Dizzy Feet Foundation scholarship.

LESLIE ANDREA WILLIAMS

(DANCER), raised in Raleigh, NC, received her BFA degree from The Juilliard School, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes. During her senior year, she performed the lead role of “She of the Ground”

in Martha Graham’s Dark Meadow. She has been described in an Oberon’s Grove review as “a girl who dances in her own sphere.”

KONSTANTINA XINTARA (DANCER) started her dance training at the National Dance School of Greece, in Athens, where she graduated in 2013. Ms. Xintara won the first prize at several dance competitions and danced with the Hellenic Dance Company. In 2014 she performed Panorama with the Hellenic Dance Company and Graham 2 at New York City Center.

JACOB LARSEN (APPRENTICE) received his BFA from Marymount Manhattan College where he performed works by Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Aszure Barton, Loni Landon, and Ray Mercer. At Springboard Danse Montreal 2015, he performed works

by Alexander Ekman and Banning Boulding. Mr. Larsen trained at the Graham School and was a member of Graham 2.

This is his first season with the Company.

MARZIA MEMOLI (APPRENTICE) is originally from Palermo, Italy. She began her training at the age of 16 at the Academy of Teatro Carcano in Milan where she graduated with high honors. In 2014 she studied at The Rudra Bejart School. This is her first season with the Company.

MARTHA GRAHAM CENTER OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE

STAFF LaRue Allen, Executive Director Janet Eilber, Artistic Director Denise Vale, Senior Artistic Associate Aaron Sherber, Music Director Faye Rosenbaum, General Manager Simona Ferrara, Company Manager A. Apostol, Development Officer /Executive Associate Amanda Hameline, Development Officer Jeff Sykes, Development Assistant Oliver Tobin, Director of Martha Graham Resources Julian Zentner, Marketing and Archive Assistant Charley Harris, Administrative Associate Haejin Han, Production Supervisor Nick Hung, Resident Lighting Designer Yi-Chung Chen, Lighting Supervisor Karen Young, Costume Supervisor Jennifer O’Donnell, Wardrobe Supervisor Anne Posluszny, Theatrical Property Restorer Jennifer Patten, Head of School Tadej Brdnik, Program Director: Accelerated and Extension Programs Virginie Mécène, Program Director: Professional Certificate Program and Director of Graham 2 Tami Alesson, Director of Student Affairs and Government Program Officer Shelby Leshine, School Administrator Janet Stapleton, Press Agent

REGISSEURS Tadej Brdnik, Linda Hodes, Peggy Lyman, Virginie Mécène, Miki Orihara, Marni Thomas, Ken Topping, Denise Vale, Blakeley White-McGuire

The Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance is a not-for-profit corporation, supported by contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies. Contributions in support of the Martha Graham Center will be gratefully received at the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance, Inc., 55 Bethune Street New York, NY 10014, or visit www.marthagraham.org/contribute.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

For more information, visit www.marthagraham.org

North American Representation Rena Shagan Associates, Inc., (www.shaganarts.com)

Kenneth Bloom, Chairman Judith G. Schlosser, Chairman Emerita Inger K. Witter, President Lorraine Oler, Secretary LaRue Allen, Executive Director Janet Eilber, Artistic Director Amy Blumenthal, Audra D. Cohen, Merrie S. Frankel, Beau Gage, Inga M. Golay, John Hotta, Emil Kang, Jean-Paul Lafaye, Jayne Millard

International Representation: LaRue Allen Executive Director, (lallen@marthagraham.org) ALUMNI SEARCH If you or someone you know has ever performed with the Martha Graham Dance Company or attended classes at the Martha Graham School, please send us names, addresses, telephone numbers and approximate dates of membership. We will add you to our alumni mailing list and keep you apprised of alumni events and benefits.

Call +1.212.229.9200 or e-mail info@marthagraham.org.