Martha Graham Dance Ensemble

Thursday, May 29, 2003

Theresa Lang Theatre/Marymount Manhattan College
71st Street & 2nd Avenue
New York, NY

The night was a night to remember. The place: The Theresa Lang Theatre at Marymount Manhattan Collage. To say the performance was stunning would almost be inadequate, as dancers from all walks of life teamed up to perform as I haven't seen dancers perform in a long time. Why not? The techniques they were privileged to learn are Martha Graham's original, now world renowned techniques, and are recognized almost as a standard for the industry. The crowd had applauded most energetically as the dancers brought artistry to life in four distinct performances.

:The first performance was based on a ballet that originally called "Wilderness Stair", in which Martha Graham depicts three distinct forms of love by three different couples, dressed in white, red and yellow, represent "mature love", "erotic love" and "adolescent love". The dance was done superbly. Next was a most magnificent tribute to the late Bertram Ross, who is world renowned for his works in the area of cabaret, concert and theatre for his creation of over 1000 different songs which have been recorded by famous recording artists. Next up was a wonderful performance of "El Penitente", which is a dance inspired by a sect of the American Southwest. The theme: purification from sin through severe penance. The dance, bearing no factual relationship to the practices of such ancient rites, which culminate in crucifixion, is presented after the manner of old mystery plays. It was inspired by Martha Graham during her visit to the Hopi and Santo Domingo pueblos of the American Southwest in the 1930's. The finale performance was an outstanding performance, in which the elements of energy, grace and artistry have been intricately, and seamlessly woven together. I take my hat off to the performers.

After this delightful performance, we were invited to a delightful reception featuring elegant pastries, cheeses and pattee's, in a surrounding of piano music. There, I had the opportunity to interview a number of people who have diligently contributed to the success of the night's performance and to the school.

The first interviewee was Mr. Stuart Hodes, who joined forces with Martha Graham back in 1946 (20 years after Martha Graham founded the school.), he was then the director and a partner, and currently teaches Ms. Graham's world renowned technique to aspiring dancers. Motivated by his fascination for adventure, having been a fighter plane pilot as a teenager during the war, Mr. Hodes felt that he had to pursue the “adventure” of Ms. Graham’s dance techniques. His students have included people who have pursued a career in the area of dance and have become famous—people like Paul Taylor, for example.

The Martha Graham organization is a non-profit venture, and is funded by a number of different sources, including the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts, which is a state agency. Mr. Hodes informed me that performances are held three to four times a year, however, each individual type performance is repeated once annually. Neither he himself, as a performer, nor any of his students have ever done Broadway work, as Mr. Hodes never quite had such an interest.

I also interviewed Mr. Kenneth Topping, Artistic Director of the Martha Graham Dance Ensemble and the Director of the Martha Graham School. And Principal Master of the Martha Graham Dance Company. He explained that the 12 member ensemble is a group of ”pre-professional” trainees (but NOT amateurs) that are all enrolled in a two-year program. Mr. Topping, himself, joined the Martha Graham Dance Ensemble in 1984, and the Dance Company in 1985. He has had the pleasure of touring, both nationally, and internationally for almost 20 years. In 1996, he started to direct the dance, while performing within the dance company. He works with an associate director, Elizabeth Auclaire. When asked how he can wear so many hats, his reply was that he only dances part of the time—his main focus is directing the school and the artistically directing the ensemble. The school also does many art outreach programs throughout New York City’s public schools, particularly, schools those which haven’t been exposed to the world of dance art. The school gives these students a peak into the life of a dancer—how a dancer trains, an overview of the daily routines of taking classes and doing rehearsals, and, basically, what goes into the work of becoming a dancer. Many students, surprisingly, are not aware of the dedication required to become a dancer. Mr. Topping also briefly explained a type of strengthening exercise called “Gyirotonic”, which is designed to strengthen any areas of the body that are weak. He also touched briefly on diet, indicating that women don’t o burn calories quickly enough, and therefore must curtail their calorie intake, while men are the opposite—they tend to burn more calories than they take in, and thus require a higher calorie intake. When asked by our chief editor if he would be available to do a demonstration at H.A.D.’s next fundraiser, Mr. Topping informed the Liberty News that he’d be happy to give a demonstration.

I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing two of the performers from the ensemble. Nya Bowman and Luis Gabriel Zaragoza. Nya Bowman studied dance with Jacques d’Amboise-National Dance Institute,, at the Alvin Ailey School, and ad Rutgers University, where she received her BFA in Dance. Ms. Bowman, when asked what made her start a career in dance, told Liberty News that she sees the world from a different, unique perspective through the dance, and wants to express her perception through the mind body relationship dance offers. She believes in the exercise component of dance preparation, but is not overly cautious about the dietary aspect—Ms. Bowman informed me that, while she does eat a number of healthy foods, she also enjoys veggie burgers, and “occasionally” eats less-than-healthy food. When asked what kind of advice she would offer to aspiring new dancers, she indicated that the world of dance requires commitment, because it is a lifetime over which one learns, i.e., it is an ongoing process.

When I spoke with Luis Gabriel Zaragoza, who is originally, from Mexico City, informed me that he was inspired by a “Swan Lake” performance, and made the decision that dance is what he wants to do. He spoke with me, briefly, about his role in “The Penitent”, indicating the frailty of man demonstrates man’s dependency on God. He came to New York after having studied at the National School of Dance, Mexico City, And enjoys expressing himself, artistically, as a dancer.

I really enjoyed the event, and the company. The dancing was superb, the food was absolutely delectable, and the interviewees were among the friendliest folk I’ve dealt with.

If you would like more information about Martha Graham’s dance schedule and events, please feel free to visit the Martha Graham Dance Company website, at www.marthagrahamdance.org

Abbey H. Muneer is the Executive Director of H.A.D. Organization of New York City, Inc., a world-famous athlete, author and, above all, a humanitarian. Abbey will write articles about charity events, benefits, fundraisers and galas which are raising money for humantiarian causes. If you are interested in having Abbey and one his staff members cover one of your charity events, benefits, fundraisers or galas, feel free to notify us one week in advance, at LNEvents@hadofnyc.org, or telephone us at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. and ask to speak to Abbey or Maria. If you would like more information, or would like to have Liberty News Online Magazine consult your next charitable event, please feel free to visit our website, at http://www.hadofnyc.org/store/success.html, email us at humanitarians@hadofnyc.org, or telephone our hotline, at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. (U.S.A.)