As the Martha Graham Dance Company celebrates its centennial, a review of its coverage in Dance Magazine reveals the scale of its influence—and how Graham’s works have resonated with dancers and audiences across generations.

For Leslie Andrea Williams, a dancer who is a storyteller to her core, the Martha Graham Dance Company is a fulfilling and invigorating place to call home. Over a decade into her tenure with the 100-year-old company, she is a powerful presence in both historic Graham works and contemporary commissions. Williams often steps into lead roles originated by Martha Graham herself. She was the first Black woman to perform the commanding lead in “Chronicle,” adding her own distinct perspective to a work born out of Graham’s anti-fascist beliefs. 

Reimagined classics, exciting originals, and celebrations abound on stages this month.

While dance is often considered inextricably linked to music, the absence of music can open a unique space for exploration. Three artists share their experiences and advice for dancing in works without music.

Martha Graham said that it takes 10 years to become a Graham dancer. But two years into her job with the Martha Graham Dance Company, Leslie Andrea Williams is well on her way, as luminous in the classics as she is in the troupe’s more contemporary repertory. Whether mastering the sculptural specificity of Graham’s Diversion […]